Want To Serve The County? There Are Lots Of Board Openings

Hillsborough County commissioners are seeking residents to serve on several county citizen advisory boards and councils. Residents interested in seeking appointment must be registered voters in Hillsborough County. 

These are voluntary positions and members serve without compensation. 

Applicants may apply to more than one board but may only serve on one board at a time. All applicants must submit a completed Questionnaire for County Appointments and a Standards of Conduct form.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 15. Appointments will be scheduled for a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners in September or October.

The forms are available in the commissioners’ reception area on the second floor of County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa; by calling the boards and councils coordinator at 813-272-5826; or on the county’s website at: www.hillsboroughcounty.org. Click on the “Government” link on the top of the page, then the “Boards and Committees” sublink. 

The Questionnaire for County Appointments is in the middle of the page, along with the Standards of Conduct form. The forms can be filled out and printed, and then scanned and emailed, faxed, hand-delivered or mailed. All forms must be signed and dated. Additional directions for submission are listed on the questionnaire.

If you apply to a board that requires a background check, you must also submit a Background Investigation Disclosure and Authorization form, which also is available on the webpage listed above.

The boards and councils that have openings are:

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD--advises and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners and Affordable Housing Officer on issues affecting affordable housing development, and assists the County in developing new programs and policies in order to foster the development and preservation of attainable housing for those County residents who desire to live in safe, decent and affordable housing.

Four positions are vacant and one term is expiring. Terms are for three years. Positions are specified as: 1) a mortgage lending industry representative; 2) a citizen representing essential services personnel as defined in the local Housing Assistance Plan; 3) a citizen representing employers in the jurisdiction; 4) a citizen representing those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing; and 5) a non-profit affordable housing developer. Meeting schedule:  Every other month, first Monday, 9 a.m.

CHILD CARE LICENSING HEARING OFFICERS--conducts hearings and makes findings and recommendations in situations where an applicant for license or a current licensee requests a hearing because a license has been placed on probation, suspended or revoked, or an administrative fine has been imposed by a hearing officer, pursuant to the Hillsborough County Child Care Homes Licensing Ordinance 05-9 and the Hillsborough County Child Care Facilities Ordinance 03-25, as amended by Hillsborough County Ordinance 04-25.

One position is vacant. Term is for three years. Hearing Officers must be members in good standing of the Florida Bar and may not be employees of the County Attorney’s Office. Appointment as a Hearing Officer is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: When requested.

COUNCIL ON AGING--advocates on behalf of older adults for the betterment of their well-being and furnishes input to the Department of Family and Aging Services - Division of Aging Services and the Board of County Commissioners on matters relating to the quality of life of older adults.

One position is vacant. Term is for two years. Position is specified as a faith-based community representative.  Appointment to this Council is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: To be determined.

ELECTRICAL BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS, APPEALS AND EXAMINERS--confirms the competency and integrity of applicants applying for electrical certification in the County, and takes disciplinary action against those contractors who fail to comply with the Electrical Code.

One position is vacant. Term is for four years. Position is specified as an electrical utility company representative. Citizens appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure.  Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

ENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY--implements a strategic economic development plan for the University Area Enterprise Zone, which covers the area generally described as north of the City of Tampa boundary along Fowler Avenue, south of Bearss Avenue/Skipper Road, and between I-275 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

Three terms are expiring. Terms are for four years. Positions are specified as: 1) a local business representative; 2) a local resident; and 3) a non-profit community-based organization operating within the Zone. Meeting schedule: Every other month, at least annually.

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME ADVISORY BOARD--annually reviews and advises the County Commission on recommended amendments to the Family Child Care Home’s Licensing Ordinance or the Rules and Regulations Handbook, including recommending and assisting the local licensing agency in the development and implementation of training materials for child care personnel; advises the local licensing agency on matters of licensing policy, procedures and priorities; and proposes additional rules and regulations regarding the intent and purpose of the Ordinance.

Four positions are vacant. Terms are for three years. Positions are specified as: 1) & 2) a parent who has a child enrolled in a licensed family child care home; and 3) & 4) a licensed family child care home operator representing all segments of the community.  Appointment to this Board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check.Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Thursday, 7 p.m.

HEALTH CARE ADVISORY BOARD--improves accessibility and efficiency of care for medically-poor residents of Hillsborough County through recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for fund allocation, coordination, planning, and monitoring of health care delivery systems.

One position is vacant. Term is for four years. Position is specified as a participant in the Hillsborough County Indigent Health Care Plan. Meeting schedule: Monthly, third Thursday, 3 p.m.

HEALTH COUNCIL OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA, INC.--works in collaboration with community-based organizations to identify, address and resolve health care issues of local concern. The Council collects and analyzes health care data, prepares special reports and publications, and educates the community about special health issues.

One position is vacant and one term is expiring. Terms are for two years.  Positions are specified as: 1) a health care purchaser – an individual or an authorized member of an organization or agency who is responsible for the purchase of health services for a group of 25 or more individuals either directly or through acquisition of health insurance coverage, and 2) a health care consumer under 60 years of age.

Meeting schedule: second Wednesday, every other month, 8 a.m., in St. Petersburg.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHALLENGE GRANT PROGRAM/GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE--promotes historic preservation, heritage tourism, and related economic development within Hillsborough County in both incorporated and unincorporated areas.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Position is for the remainder of term which expires March 1, 2014. No member shall serve more than two successive terms. Member should have expertise in one or more of the following areas: historic preservation, architecture, heritage tourism, destination marketing, marketing and economic development, landscape architecture, and interior design. This Committee must include residents from unincorporated Hillsborough County, and at least one resident from the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace. Meeting schedule: To be determined.

HISTORIC RESOURCES REVIEW BOARD--serves as an architectural review board for the protection of historic resources in unincorporated Hillsborough County. It recommends archaeological and historical sites to the County Commission for landmark designation and reviews alterations and new construction on landmark sites or districts.

Two positions are vacant. Terms are for three years. Positions are specified as: 1) an historian and 2) a property owner of a site listed on the Florida Master Site File. Citizens appointed to this Board must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County. Meeting schedule: Monthly, third Tuesday, 3 p.m.

HISTORICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL--supports and facilitates a uniform historical marker program throughout the County, including the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace, as well as organizations and other agencies who request assistance. It also provides the Board of County Commissioners with support that complements the goals of historical preservation and education in Hillsborough County.

One term is expiring. Term is for three years. All members shall possess expertise in significant and relevant historical matters. In making appointments, due consideration shall be given to achieving a demographic balance among the appointed. No member shall serve for more than two full consecutive terms.  More than one half of a term is deemed to be service for a full term. A member who has served two full consecutive terms shall be eligible for reappointment after at least three years of non-membership. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, 4:30 p.m.

HOSPITAL AUTHORITY--monitors the lease entered into in 1997 with Florida Health Sciences Center, Inc., which permits FHSC to occupy the Authority’s Davis Island property and transfers ownership and operation of Tampa General Hospital.  Monitoring the hospital’s overall condition, indigent and charity care reports and MBE contract participation, and reviewing citizen grievances who feel they were denied care due to the inability to pay are the primary obligations of the Authority.

One position is vacant due to resignation.  Position is for the remainder of term which expires June 30, 2015.  Members appointed to this Authority will be required to file an annual financial disclosure.  Meeting schedule:Quarterly, generally fourth Monday, 9 a.m.

LAND USE APPEALS BOARD--hears appeals of decisions of the Land Use Hearing Officer on special use permits and variances from zoning regulations.

Two positions are vacant, one due to resignation. One term is for three years and one is for the remainder of a term which expires June 30, 2015. One position is specified as an alternate. Consideration for membership shall be given to representatives from the following fields: an attorney practicing in Hillsborough County with at least five years of experience and has been admitted to the Florida Bar for not less than five years; a landscape architect or architect registered to practice in the State of Florida; a business owner or operator in unincorporated Hillsborough County; a professional planner with not less than three years of experience in land use planning or zoning; a civil or environmental engineer registered to practice in Florida; a member of a civic or neighborhood organization in unincorporated Hillsborough County; a developer active in development in Hillsborough County or a duly licensed general contractor (Class A) active in business in Hillsborough County.  Citizens appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure.  Citizens appointed to this Board must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County.Meeting schedule: Monthly, first Friday, 1 p.m., and as needed.

MECHANICAL BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS, APPEALS AND EXAMINERS--confirms the competency and integrity of applicants applying for mechanical certification in the County, and takes disciplinary action against those contractors who fail to comply with the Mechanical Code.

Three positions are vacant. Member term is for four years, alternate terms are for two years. Positions are specified as: 1) a mechanical trade representative; and 2) & 3) alternates. Alternate members must be knowledgeable and experienced in the technical codes of this Board. Citizens appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Thursday, 10 a.m.

PLANNING COMMISSION--the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission is an independent consolidated planning agency, lead by appointed citizens, which serves all the citizens of Hillsborough County by providing a vision for improving the quality of life.  The Planning Commission and its staff serve as agents within the community to promote and coordinate the involvement of all people in comprehensive long-range planning, growth management, transportation, and environmental protection.  The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, Tampa City Council, Plant City Commission, and Temple Terrace City Council regarding land use, community planning, capital improvements, urban design, and other comprehensive issues.

One term is expiring.  Term is for four years.  Citizens appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure.  Citizens appointed to this Board must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County.  Members appointed to this Board will be required to take an Oath of Office.

Meeting schedule: Monthly, second Monday, 2 p.m., other meetings may be scheduled as needed.

PLUMBING AND GAS BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEALS AND EXAMINERS--governs the certification and/or compliance standards for plumbing and gas contractors doing work in Hillsborough County and enforces adherence to the standards set by the Plumbing and Gas Code.  The board members shall be appointed by the governing bodies of the jurisdiction that choose to use the County’s boards and enter into an interlocal agreement with Hillsborough County.

One position is vacant due to resignation.  Position is for the remainder of term which expires

December 31, 2014.  Position is specified as an alternate.  Alternate members must be knowledgeable and experienced in the technical codes of this Board.  Citizens appointed to this board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure. Meeting schedule: Quarterly, third Tuesday, 1 p.m.

PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD--works with the Board of County Commissioners regarding the operation of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System, including future planning and policy developments.

One term has expired. Term is for three years. Position is specified as a resident from District 1. Appointment to this Board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: Monthly, fourth Thursday, 4 p.m.

WATER CONSERVATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE--makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding water conservation issues.

Three positions are vacant. Terms are for three years. Positions are specified as: 1) an agriculture (not public water supply) representative; 2) a commercial real estate representative; and 3) a major water user representative. Please specify which position you are applying for. Meeting schedule: Quarterly.

For more information, contact Luann Finley, director of board services, at 813-272-5826.