Dengue Fever Prompts the County to
Declare a State of Local Emergency
| |
Executive order took effect Thursday, September 24
County Administrator Bonnie Wise has signed an executive order declaring a state of local emergency under authority granted by the County’s Emergency Management Ordinance and Chapter 252, Florida Statutes.
The order went into effect Thursday, September 24, as the County works to control the mosquito population and protect residents from dengue fever – a mosquito-borne disease.
A state of local emergency can be in effect for only seven days, unless rescinded or extended.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.
Residents can sign up to be notified of where localized aerial treatments are occurring in their neighborhood. Hillsborough County also maintains an online resource for residents to view where treatments are occurring.
For information, contact Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services at (813) 635-5400.
| Most Admired CEOs: Michael Stephens | |
The Tampa Bay Business Journal has named Michael Stephens as one of the most admired CEOs in Tampa.
Stephens is overseeing a wave of expansion at TPA, including the $1.52 billion Airside D project, a nearly $600 million upgrade to its passenger check-in experience, and sweeping enhancements to its automated shuttle cars. The airport is rapidly growing its network - both to domestic and international destinations - and is at the forefront of innovation as it prepares for the arrival of Advanced Air Mobility vehicles, aka flying cars.
Congratulations Michael Stephens on being named a 2026 Most Admired CEO!
| Most Admired CEOs: Craig Richard | |
Craig Richard, who has served as the CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council was named a Most Admired CEO by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Ten years into his tenure, leading the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Craig Richard has helped reshape the region's economic development conversation. Once centered on growth at any cost, the focus has been sharpened to competitiveness, talent, and higher-value opportunity.
Congratulations Craig Richard on being named a 2026 Most Admired CEO!
| |
1. Get Ready
If you aren't already registered to vote in Florida, register to vote. The voter registration deadline for this election is October 5. If you are registered, make sure your voter information is up to date. You can update your address any time.
2. Get Set
You can look at your sample ballot now. Your sample ballot displays the races that will be on your ballot, based on the districts you live in. If you want to see all the races that will be decided during the General Election, you can look at this “all races” sample ballot.
If you request Vote By Mail, we’ll be mailing out official ballots beginning October 1. If you don’t, we’ll mail or email you a copy of your sample ballot in mid-October. You can mark your choices and bring it with you for reference when you vote in person.
Looking for more information about the Constitutional Amendments on the ballot? You can review the full text of the proposed changes in this booklet, published by the Florida Division of Elections:
3. Vote
Consider voting in person or dropping off your mail ballot before Election Day. We’ll have 27 locations open for two weeks of Early Voting. If you prefer to vote on Election Day, make sure to confirm your Election Day polling place and mark your calendar for November 3. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM.
| | On behalf of the Board, Commissioner Wostal presented a proclamation declaring October 2 as Florida Manufacturing Day and October 2026, as Florida Manufacturing Month in Hillsborough County. Beth Galic, president of the Bay Area Manufacturers Association, and Scott Seehawer, president of Tro-Tronics accepted the recognition. | | On behalf of the Board, Vice Chair Miller presented a proclamation declaring September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Hillsborough County. Rosana Rivera and Ricardo Castro, chefs and co-owners of the Chef & The Baker restaurant accepted the recognition. | |
1) The Board approved an Interlocal Agreement with the University of South Florida (USF), which establishes a framework for administering, documenting, and disbursing up to $24 million in current Community Investment Tax funds for mobility, transportation, public safety, and infrastructure improvements associated with USF's Fletcher District development.
2) The Board approved the 2027 Annual Audit Plan, Report #2026-12 performed by the County Internal Auditor's Office.
3) The Board approved submission of the annual report required under F.S. 316.0083 for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Red Light Camera Program.
4) The Board approved submission of the annual report required under F.S. 316.0776 for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office School Speed Zone Camera Program.
5) The Board conducted a public hearing to receive public input and discuss modifying the approved list of projects for Phase IV of the Community Investment Tax.
| | Commissioner Gwen Myers with Ret. Col. Dale Vona | | |
On Thursday, September 17, 2026, I attended the Patriot Day Program hosted by the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) at The Plaza Club @ Freedom Plaza in Sun City Center. I was honored to be presented with a Certificate of Patriotism by Retired Colonel Dale Vona on behalf of the MOWW for my service to the community, to veterans, and to the County.
I would like to extend a sincere Thank You to Col. Vona and the entire MOWW membership for recognizing my efforts in the community. It means a lot to me.
| | Urban League Press Conference | | |
Natasha Goodley, Regional Director, Operation New Hope;
Santiago Corrada, CEO, Visit Tampa Bay;
Chloe Coney, Founder, Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc.;
Nikki Gaskin Capehart, Regional President and CEO, Urban League and
Jacqueline Coffie-Leeks, FL State Representative-Elect, District 63
| | |
On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, I attended a press conference for the Urban League at the Tampa Law Center. Over many decades, Pinellas County Urban League and Hillsborough County Urban League have served our region with a shared commitment to empowering communities and changing lives to create a positive, lasting impact in our region. At the press conference, The Pinellas County Urban League and Hillsborough County Urban League announced that they are coming together as the Urban League of Florida Suncoast and will be serving Greater Tampa Bay. It was a pleasure to witness and celebrate this significant milestone with colleagues, business leaders and friends.
Congratulations to the Urban League of Florida Suncoast!
| | Education of Young Children Summit 2026 | | |
Victor Crist, Clerk of Court; Commissioner Harry Cohen;
Commissioner Gwen Myers; Commissioner Christine Miller;
Nancy Millan, Tax Collector, and Senator Brian Nathan
| | |
On Thursday, September 24, 2026, it was my honor to be recognized alongside FL State Representative Susan Valdes for continued and extraordinary support of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) mission. The event took place at the Motor Enclave in Tampa. The summit’s mission is to ensure Hillsborough County’s youngest learners enter kindergarten ready to succeed, tackling the gap where fewer than half of children are prepared for kindergarten. It frames early education as workforce infrastructure, family stability, and a long-term economic development strategy.
Thank you to Dr. Fred Hicks, CEO, ELCHC for the recognition; I wish you continued success!
| |
Sign Up for Mobile and Email Alerts | Mosquito Spray Notifications | | Was this Newsletter forwarded to you by a friend, colleague, or family member? | | | | |
