Hillsborough County backs nonbinding MOU to pursue ballpark negotiations, approves $317,100 for nonprofit sewer conversion and updates ordinances

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on May 20 approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to let county staff pursue negotiations with the transcript‑stated "Tampa Bay raised entities," the City of Tampa and the City of Tampa's Community Redevelopment Agency on a proposed new ballpark and associated redevelopment at the Hillsborough College Del Mavry campus. The board also approved funding and a set of ordinance and administrative updates.

The approval authorizes staff to pursue additional negotiations on definitive agreements that would define construction, funding, ownership, use and long‑term maintenance and repair of the proposed ballpark and related development, but the board noted the MOU is nonbinding and does not change the county’s current budget or create binding future commitments.

A funding action approved up to $317,100 to Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, Inc., doing business as High 5 Inc, to convert the facility’s on‑site septic systems to the county‑owned central sewer system. High 5 Inc is described in the meeting recap as a nonprofit that offers after‑school, athletic, aquatic and recreational programs for community members.

The board adopted resolutions updating qualifications under the county’s red‑light camera ordinance and its school‑zone speed enforcement ordinance, and authorized the appointment of attorneys who are members in good standing with the Florida Bar to serve as local hearing officers and receive compensation for that role.

Commissioners also adopted a resolution expanding the geographic description of the county seat beyond the city of Tampa limits to include all lands within Hillsborough County, saying the change better reflects distribution of governmental facilities and services and facilitates county administration.

Separately, the board revised the county’s cremation, dissection and burial‑at‑sea ordinance to broaden its scope beyond fees for services and authorized the entity identified in the transcript as the VLCC to establish a schedule of fees for certain department services; the VLCC meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, June 3 at 9 a.m.

No roll‑call vote tallies or individual motions were recorded in the recap; the meeting summary states only that a majority of commissioners approved the nonbinding MOU and that the funding and ordinance changes were adopted. The board’s actions were presented as formal approvals and resolutions, with staff directed to proceed with negotiation and administrative implementation steps where noted.

The meeting recap included guidance for the public on how to view the proceedings and find more information: the meeting is available on YouTube (search term in the recap: "HESL accounting meetings") and additional materials can be found at hcfl.gov.