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Hillsborough County commissioners authorize One Water financing, large contract increases and housing aid
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Summary
At its Dec. 17 meeting, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved interim financing and major contract increases to advance the One Water campus, authorized a mobility-fee agreement and land conveyance for road realignment, funded nonprofit and senior-housing repairs, and authorized an equestrian RFP.
Hillsborough County commissioners on Dec. 17 approved interim financing and a series of project actions to advance a major water and wastewater infrastructure initiative, while also backing several community and transportation projects. The board’s actions, summarized by county communications staff, include debt authorization, contract modifications and targeted grants.
Demorris of Hillsborough County Communications and Digital Media summarized the meeting for the public. He said the board adopted financing measures to support the county’s One Water campus and related capital improvements. "The board adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of the subordinate utility revenue note series 2025 with a revolving line of credit of up to $400,000,000 outstanding and $1,500,000,000 in aggregate advances," Demorris said, describing the interim financing the county will use to fund the project.
The county also approved substantial changes to project contracts. Commissioners authorized a third modification to the progressive design-build agreement with Garnet Companies, increasing that contract by $224.6 million to a new total of $352.9 million, and approved a sixth modification with Corolla Engineers Inc., adding $3 million for continued technical and project management services (bringing that agreement to $12.3 million).
To address growth and capacity needs, the board approved phased increases to water and wastewater impact fees in the Northwest and South Central Service Areas, with a two-year phase-in for water fees and a four-year phase-in for wastewater fees. County staff reported the South Central Service Area has added roughly 57,000 residents since 2020; Water Resources plans nearly $2 billion in capital investments overall, including about $1.5 billion for the One Water program.
The board also approved transportation and land-use agreements designed to preserve parkland while improving traffic flow. A mobility-fee alternative satisfaction agreement will fund intersection improvements, including realignment of Old Big Bend Road and extension of Simmons Road; a land conveyance arrangement will compensate Parks and Recreation for property converted to right of way and provide new parkland in exchange.
Commissioners approved several community-focused expenditures. They adopted a resolution and funding agreement to provide up to $250,000 to Faith Action Ministry Alliance (FAMA) for site improvements and the installation of a modular classroom at Grant Park Cushing Academy, which county staff said will expand childcare and extracurricular capacity for more than 60 local youth. The board also authorized an RFP for a new equestrian facility at the county-owned Northwest Equestrian Park on South Mobley Road, proposing a comparable facility to the Bachus Equestrian Center in exchange for conveyance of the Bachus property.
In housing action, the board approved a local housing fund agreement with Homes of Regency Cove for about $3.8 million to replace electrical infrastructure at the Senior Mobile Home Park on Gandy Boulevard in Tampa. County staff said the 55-plus community — approximately 431 mobile homes and 16 apartments — suffered extensive hurricane damage and that the funding comes from the Fiscal Year 2026 local affordable housing fund.
The board also recognized the Sun City Center Emergency Squad and CPR advocate Andrew Emerton. Demorris noted, "Founded in 1964, the Sun City Center Emergency Squad remains a pillar of compassion and commitment," and said the volunteer squad responds to about 4,000 ambulance calls and roughly 1,000 wheelchair van transports annually. Commissioners recognized Emerton for CPR education after he survived sudden cardiac arrest and for founding Breathe Florida to provide no-cost American Heart Association CPR certification to high school students.
The board set its next meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. and advised viewers to watch via the county’s YouTube channel or visit hcfl.gov for more information.
