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Local
Charter Review Board Delays Decision On Makeup Of Commission Board
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On Tuesday, the Hillsbor- ough County Charter Review Board (CRB) met to discuss changing the makeup of the County Commission Board.
Charter Review Board mem- ber Gerald White said they de-
cided to delay the restructuring until they do some research to justify their position.
“We’re trying to get more in- formation by studying what’s happening in other counties. The Commissioners did indicate they would support my sugges- tion of 9 County Commissioners and 5 single member districts.
Comm. Miller said the current Board makeup has been in place since 1983.
“The current makeup was good in 1983 when the county’s population supported it. But in 2014, we had 1,316,298 people living in the county. That’s more than twice the numbers from 1983.
“It’s been predicted that al- most 42,000 people will be moving into Hillsborough County every year for the next 10 years. When that figure came out, that’s when they decided to delay making a decision at this time.”
Comm. Miller said there were several scenarios being dis- cussed; even to have 9 single member districts.
“When I was asked what I’d personally like to see, I told them I’m in favor of 9 single member districts. That’s what they have in South Florida, and if we do that now, we won’t have to do this again in 10 years when the growth will demand it.”
COUNTY COMMISSIONER LES MILLER
“The Commissioners also in- dicated they are open to a posi- tive solution to get this done. We have until February 2016 to get this done. Right now, we’re in a gathering of information mode.”
White said the CRB will be meeting again on June 2nd, and at that time they will review the information they get from county staff.
“We’ll also be discussing term limits. Right now there’s a loophole in the Charter regard- ing the specifics of term limits.”
Commissioner Les
GERALD WHITE
Miller, who has been at the forefront in discussions to change the makeup of the Board, said they debated for more than two hours and he made his presentation.
“Some wanted to take it to a 9 member board with 5 single member districts. A lot of dis- cussion was held on the issue. It was Joe Caetano who sug- gested it be brought back later.
“They want to know how the smaller districts engage in reaching their commissioners. They talked about increasing the staff.”
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A