Hillsborough county

Demographics

A Home Rule Charter for Hillsborough County was approved by voters in a county-wide referendum held in September 1983, and the first County Commissioners elected under this new charter took office on May 28, 1985.

The Home Rule Charter divides the power of county government between legislative and executive branches. The Board of County Commissioners, which composes the legislative branch, sets overall policy by means of ordinances, resolutions and motions.

The executive powers of county government are vested in the County Administrator, appointed by County Commissioners and charged by the charter to faithfully implement the powers of the Board. The charter provides for a County Attorney, to be hired by the County Administrator with the advice and consent of the County Commissioners. The charter contains a provision for a Charter Review Board appointed by County Commissioners every five years to conduct a study of county government and propose amendments to the charter. These amendments must be presented to voters for approval.One amendment was approved in November 2002, adding the position of County Internal Performance Auditor to the government structure. This position reports directly to the County Commission.

There are seven members of the Board of County Commissioners for Hillsborough County. Four are elected from single-member districts, and three are elected county wide. The Board approves the County's operating and capital budgets and the County's capital improvement program. It may take action on any programs for the improvement of the county and the welfare of its residents.

Under a Charter Ordinance that went into effect May 1985, County Commissioners are directed to perform legislative functions of government by developing policy for the management of Hillsborough County. The County Administrator, a professional appointed by the Board, and the administrative staff are responsible for the implementation of these policies.

The Board also serves as the Environmental Protection Commission. Individual Board members serve on various other boards, authorities, and commissions such as the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Tampa Bay Water, Aviation Authority, Expressway Authority, Sports Authority, Port Authority, Arts Council of Hillsborough County, Children's Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Council of Governments.

Hillsborough County charges a discretionary sales tax of 1% on top of Florida's 6%. It is only collected on the first $5000 of any large purchase.

Municipalities

Hillsborough County only has three incorporated places, all which are charterted as cities under Florida law:

City of Plant City
City of Tampa
City of Temple Terrace

Unincorporated communities

Despite it's large population, most of the area of the county is unincorporated, and falls directly under the county government's jurisdiction. Many, but not all, are Census-designated places. With no city government, residents of these areas must petition the appropriate member of the County Commissioners to address the quality of local services.

Unincorporated Census Designated Places

Air

The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Tampa International Airport in Tampa. Other important airports include the Tampa Executive Airport near Brandon and Peter O. Knight Airport near Downtown Tampa.

National protected area

Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge

References

^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ Hillsborough County's orgins
^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ 2004 U.S. Census
^ U.S. Election Atlas
^ Hillsborough County Government Online - BOCC
^ Hillsborough County Public Schools
^ America's Best High Schools
^ Hillsborough Fire Rescue Summary
^ Hillsborough County Emergency Information
^ About: Lary Gispert
^ Ineternational Association of Emergency Managers
^ The Hurricane Evacuation Assessment Tool
^ Hillsborough County Shelter Information
^ Hllsborough County Emergency Information

External links

Government links

Hillsborough County Government / Board of County Commissioners
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections
Hillsborough County Tax Collector
Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission
Hillsborough County Emergency Management
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue

Special districts

School District of Hillsborough County
Southwest Florida Water Management District

Judicial branch

13th Judicial Circuit, Tampa, Florida
Clerk of the Circuit Court, Hillsborough County
Public Defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit

Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension

Main Web site

Hillsborough county

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