For Immediate Release Media Contact: José Patiño Communications & Digital Media Cell: (813) 293-7172 Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners Votes to Cancel COVID-19 Special Meetings, Incorporate Discussions into Board’s Regular Meetings COVID-19 coronavirus Update No. 231 Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 7, 2020) – The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) today voted to cancel all future Thursday BOCC Special Meetings that address emergency management issues related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. These discussions will now be an agenda item during the regular BOCC meetings. On the weeks when there are no regular BOCC meetings, the Chairman or the County Administrator is authorized under the County’s Emergency Management Ordinance to extend the Board’s orders, including the state of local emergency. A state of local emergency can be in effect for only seven days, unless extended. The emergency declaration gives the County Administrator and emergency managers the ability to quickly take certain actions to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community, and provides a path for federal reimbursement of certain expenses. The BOCC will still be able to call a Special Meeting to address COVID-19 issues at any time, with a 24-hour notice. The public will still have the ability to provide public comment at each Board meeting. Hillsborough County’s Protective Face Coverings Order remains in effect. County Administrator Bonnie Wise presented the staff motion and highlighted that the County has more resources and information today to inform residents on COVID-19 issues, including a dashboard with daily statistics and trends, a robust County website, easy email access for the public, support programs for individuals and businesses, and a weekly report from Hillsborough County Emergency Management. She also noted that holding the Special Meetings during the regular BOCC meetings would be an effective use of staff time. Commissioners voted 5-2 in favor of the motion, with Commissioners Ken Hagan and Stacy White dissenting. Sign up to speak during the public portion of a virtual BOCC Regular meeting The Board of County Commissioners sets aside 45 minutes at the beginning of Regular BOCC meetings to hear from the public. You may also speak at the Public Hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. To sign up to speak, complete the Public Comment Signup Form. The Board Chairman will call on speakers by name. Procedures and Requirements Residents speaking on scheduled agenda items will be called before those speaking on non-scheduled agenda items. Prioritization is on a first-come first-served basis. Signups for BOCC meeting will not be accepted after 8:30 a.m. on the day of the meeting. Speaker signup forms open for submis ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQdLub5pUP0