Tag: Hillsborough County
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Hillsborough County commissioners are set to vote Wednesday on new government mandates for short-term rental owners, adding registration requirements, a $200 annual fee per unit, and inspection costs for property owners who already pay taxes on those homes. The proposal, up for a public hearing at 10 a.m. Wednesday, would require short-term rental owners to…
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Hillsborough County commissioners took a first step this week toward a new layer of government oversight for short-term vacation rentals, advancing a draft ordinance that would require owners to register with the county, pay a $200 fee, and designate a 24-hour on-call representative for their property. The county has more than 3,000 short-term vacation rentals,…
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Hillsborough County’s review of assessment fees and taxing units mirrors a statewide trend as counties adapt budgets for the amendment’s possible passage.… #PIESun — local St. Pete-Clearwater & Tampa Bay, FL news
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Hillsborough County officials are urging residents with serious medical needs to register for storm assistance well before a hurricane threatens the area, rather than waiting until an evacuation is imminent. The push came during the county’s final “Make a Plan” community discussion, which focused on helping residents preregister for special needs shelters and transportation services…
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Families in Hillsborough County can now register for free back-to-school health clinics designed to help eligible students meet medical requirements before the new school year begins. Project Link is operating its annual Back-to-School Health Clinics through Aug. 8, providing school physicals, required immunizations, Florida DH 680 immunization certificates, and immunization record transfers for children ages…
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Parents in Hillsborough County are moving quickly to secure spots in the county’s after-school program as enrollment opens ahead of the 2026-27 school year. County officials say many program locations are already approaching capacity just days after registration began and are encouraging families to enroll as soon as possible if they plan to participate. The…
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Hillsborough County voters will decide in November whether to renew the school district’s half-penny sales tax, a levy that has funded $97 million in campus improvements this summer alone. With students on break, construction crews are working at schools across the district, including a complete heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning overhaul at Steinbrenner High School. “It’s…
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Hillsborough County commissioners reviewed a new internal report Wednesday warning that a proposed statewide property tax reform amendment could cost the county an estimated $367 million in annual revenue — a shortfall that county administrators say could rival the lasting financial damage of the 2008 Great Recession. Florida lawmakers recently approved placing the property tax…
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Hillsborough County is expanding access to its storm recovery assistance program for homeowners still dealing with damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. County officials have set aside $211 million through the Rebuilding for Tomorrow Homeowner Repair and Reconstruction Program, which provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners for repairs, reconstruction projects, and reimbursement for completed storm-related…
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Nearly two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton battered the Tampa Bay region, Hillsborough County is expanding access to a $211 million federal repair program by launching two new pop-up assistance centers beginning Tuesday. The centers are part of the county’s Rebuilding for Tomorrow Homeowner Repair and Reconstruction Program, funded through the U.S. Department of…
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Hillsborough County officials are seeking public input as part of a regional effort to evaluate flooding issues and develop long-term strategies to improve stormwater management and flood resilience across the Tampa Bay area. The initiative comes as communities continue to assess the impacts of recent storms and recurring seasonal flooding. County leaders are encouraging residents…
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A group of Lutz residents is preparing to challenge a proposal to build a large private school in their community, arguing the project conflicts with the area’s semi-rural character. The Naidip Foundation has submitted a special-use application to Hillsborough County to construct Apex Academy, a K-8 private school with capacity for up to 1,000 students,…
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The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is requesting inclusion in discussions over the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed stadium development, warning that the project could displace the county’s busiest public service location. The proposed Rays development at the Drew Park site — part of a plan to build a new ballpark near the Hillsborough Community College…
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Hillsborough County has updated its hurricane evacuation zone maps for the upcoming season, and some residents who were previously outside any evacuation zone may now find themselves in one. Officials said the adjustments were made based on lessons learned from the 2024 hurricane season. Zone A and Zone E saw the most significant changes. “Evacuation…
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Hillsborough County Public Schools held an “Apprenticeship Night” at Riverview High School, giving students the opportunity to network with managers and representatives from skilled trades across the Tampa Bay area. The event aimed to highlight careers in fields like ironworking that offer free training, immediate pay, and strong long-term job security — with organizers emphasizing…
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Construction is officially underway on a new shared Hillsborough County campus for Just Elementary and Stewart Middle Magnet School in West Tampa, following a groundbreaking ceremony held Tuesday. The $77 million project is designed to serve more than 1,500 students. Renderings show the two schools linked together by the historic Blake High School gymnasium. Superintendent…
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Hillsborough County commissioners have approved a package of 10 stormwater infrastructure projects totaling $95 million, funded through the same federal Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery tied to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The projects are designed to reduce flooding risks and improve the county’s resilience during severe weather, with work targeting localized stormwater systems,…
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Hillsborough County homeowners still dealing with damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton have a new avenue for financial relief. The county launched a call center this week as part of its Rebuilding for Tomorrow program, which has set aside $211 million specifically for homeowner repair and reconstruction. The funding comes from a $709 million Community…
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Tampa Bay Rays CEO Ken Babby has put Hillsborough County on notice, warning in an email to commissioners that the team would be forced to “evaluate alternatives” if it cannot reach a financial agreement for a proposed $2.3 billion stadium in Tampa. The Rays have proposed building the ballpark on land currently occupied by Hillsborough…
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Dozens of drivers cited for speeding in Hillsborough County school zones appeared Thursday at the Brandon Services Center to appeal their violations, as a dramatic rise in automated enforcement continues to draw attention across the county. Since August 2025, more than 100,000 school zone speeding tickets have been issued by speed cameras, an increase of…
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Hillsborough County commissioners have approved $70 million in stormwater and infrastructure improvements as part of the county’s “Rebuilding For Tomorrow” campaign, aimed at reducing flood risk after a 2024 hurricane season that inundated neighborhoods across the region. The funding comes from a larger federal disaster recovery grant and will support projects in communities including Seffner,…
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Small business owners near the intersection of Bloomingdale Avenue and Kings Avenue in eastern Hillsborough County say a major water main project has caused their sales to fall by as much as 60 percent, and they want relief before more damage is done. The construction project involves a 26-mile water main, five feet wide, that…
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Roughly 50 parents, students, teachers, and community members gathered on Wednesday at Tampa’s Rotary Riverfront Park to protest a plan by Hillsborough County Public Schools to close or restructure several public schools next year. The most prominent concern centered on Pizzo K-8, a Tampa school located on the University of South Florida campus. Unlike other…
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A proposal to build thousands of homes on a large rural property in northeast Hillsborough County is facing resistance from nearby residents concerned about its impact on water, wildlife, and infrastructure. The housing development project would be located on Two Rivers Ranch, owned by the Thomas Family, across from Hillsborough River State Park along US…
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Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez unveiled an online calculator this week that allows homeowners and business owners to estimate how proposed state property tax reductions could affect their tax bills. The tool comes as Florida lawmakers debate a series of proposals that, if approved by the Legislature and voters, could significantly reduce or eliminate…
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Tampa Bay Water has started construction on a 26-mile underground water pipeline to serve southern Hillsborough County, with completion expected by the end of 2028. The $500 million project will install a 5-foot-diameter steel pipe capable of delivering up to 65 million gallons of water daily. The pipeline is part of Tampa Bay Water’s 20-year…
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Hillsborough County’s Healthy Living Program will host a community health fair this Saturday, January 25, offering residents free groceries and health services at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center in Tampa. Free groceries will be distributed from 9 to 10:30 a.m., including fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, canned goods, beans, and rice. The groceries are provided…
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Hurricane-Resilient Homes Rise in Brandon as Habitat for Humanity Builds for Storm-Affected Families
Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough is building Windhorst Commons, a 23-home community in Brandon designed with hurricane-resistant features including concrete block construction, hip roofs, and hurricane shutters. This represents the first Habitat for Humanity project in the area to fully integrate storm-resistant design at this level. The project recently received attention when Florida…
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Hillsborough County has expanded its Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program to help low and moderate-income homeowners afford critical home repairs. The initiative targets residents in unincorporated Hillsborough County who earn less than 80% of the median average income. Qualifying homeowners can receive up to $100,000 in funding, with the county conducting inspections to determine necessary repairs. The…
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More than a year after back-to-back hurricanes struck the Tampa Bay area, homeowners lined up Monday outside the Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library for Hillsborough County’s disaster-recovery intake session. The county’s Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program is helping residents determine whether they qualify for financial assistance, with some homeowners potentially eligible for up to $100,000 in home-repairs…
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Hillsborough County held its final post-disaster redevelopment meeting on Wednesday, one day before the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Milton, to address ongoing recovery concerns from residents and businesses. County officials reported that some residents remain displaced from last hurricane season, living in hotels or temporarily with family and friends. The meeting focused on assessing community…
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Hillsborough County is hosting a panel discussion on post-disaster recovery on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Miller Park and Life Center in Tampa. The meeting is part of the county’s effort to increase storm resiliency following hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck the area late last year. The recovery plan focuses on expediting repairs,…
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Tampa, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Hernando counties are developing a unified post-disaster recovery strategy, supported by a $1.3 million Department of Homeland Security grant secured following Hurricane Ian in 2022. The funding supports the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Program, which aims to help the region rebuild more quickly and stronger after future disasters. Emergency managers emphasized the…
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Tampa’s roads are getting a multimillion-dollar boost. Hillsborough County has transferred $13 million to the city to fund intersection upgrades, including new traffic signals, crosswalks, and design improvements aimed at reducing crashes and congestion. The investment comes as Tampa marks four years of its “Fix It Fast” program, launched in 2021 to repair potholes and…
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Hillsborough County is still working to rebuild stormwater systems damaged during last year’s back-to-back hurricanes, with major canal repairs underway in Town ‘n’ Country. The project, which began shortly after Hurricane Milton, covers more than 20 miles of canals. County officials say some areas require additional fill and stabilization, while others need erosion control and…
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The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says speed cameras in school zones are making an impact, with thousands of drivers cited since the program began less than a year ago. Since the first cameras were activated in November 2024, nearly 5,800 tickets have been issued. About 3,100 drivers have already paid the $100 fine, generating more…
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Hillsborough County homeowners have another chance to apply for federal help in repairing storm-damaged homes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the state of Florida, is offering assistance through the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. The funding is also available to residents who were previously denied through the state’s Elevate Florida Grant…
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Hillsborough County commissioners are set to vote Wednesday on a proposal to allocate more than $700 million in federal disaster recovery funds following a series of recent hurricanes. The county expects to receive approximately $709 million in Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money is intended…
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Demolition of the old Howard Frankland Bridge is officially scheduled for mid-July, according to a permit filed by the Florida Department of Transportation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The northbound span, originally built for $16 million, will be torn down after traffic is shifted to the bridge constructed in the 1990s, which had…
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As property insurance premiums continue to soar across Florida, one Hillsborough County family still recovering from Hurricane Milton says they’re nearing their financial breaking point. April Self and her husband were forced out of their home by severe flooding and only returned two months ago. Since then, they’ve been juggling a growing pile of bills…
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Hillsborough County is asking residents to weigh in on how to spend more than $700 million in federal hurricane recovery funds. The county expects to receive $709,324,000 through the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding is aimed at long-term recovery and mitigation…
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Hillsborough County officials are inviting residents to weigh in on how to use more than $700 million in federal hurricane recovery funding. The county expects to receive $709 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to support long-term recovery from hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton. At least 70% of the funds…
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Hillsborough County officials are urging residents to watch their mailboxes closely as transportation tax refund checks begin to arrive — and to avoid mistaking them for junk mail. The checks are part of a class-action settlement stemming from a one-cent sales tax for transportation projects that collected nearly $569 million before being struck down by…
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