On 06.22.11, In Blog, By Murman

Hillsborough County News

June 21, 2011

Contact: Luann Finley, Director of Board Services, 813-272-5826

Commissioners Seek Applications For Citizen Boards And Councils

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.

The deadline for applying is Thursday, July 14. Appointments will be scheduled for a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners in August or September.

An application is 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 Web site at: www.hillsboroughcounty.org. Click on the “County Commission” link on the left-hand side of the page, then the “Advisory Boards and Committees” sublink. The electronic form can be filled out online and printed, but cannot be submitted electronically. Directions for submission are listed on the form. Note: when you click the “Print Form” button at the end of the questionnaire, it will produce a printer-friendly form and all the information entered will be visible.

The Boards and Councils that have openings are:

CHILD CARE FACILITIES ADVISORY BOARD — This Board advises the Board of County Commissioners on recommended amendments to the Child Care Facilities Ordinance; proposes additional rules and regulations to the Board of County Commissioners which effectuate the intent and purpose of the Ordinance; recommends and assists the Hillsborough County Office of Child Care Licensing in the development and implementation of training materials for child care personnel. It also advises the Hillsborough County Office of Child Care Licensing on all matters pertaining to child care facilities.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Position is for remainder of term which expires 12/31/11. Appointment to this Board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check.

Meeting schedule: Monthly, 1^st Thursday, 1 p.m.

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME ADVISORY BOARD — This Board annually reviews and advises the Board of County Commissioners on recommended amendments to the Family Child Care Homes 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; advising 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.

Two positions are vacant. Terms are for three years. Positions are specified as parents who have a child enrolled in a licensed family day care home. Appointment to this Board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check.

Meeting schedule: Quarterly, 3^rd Thursday, 7 p.m.

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

One term has expired. Term is for four years. Position is specified as a mental health care provider.

Meeting schedule: Monthly, 3^rd Thursday, 3 p.m.

HILLSBOROUGH AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (HART) — The purpose of the Hillsborough Transit Authority is to provide excellent customer service while building solutions to support Hillsborough County’s needs….now and into the future..

One position is vacant due to resignation. Term is for three years. Citizen appointed to this Board must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County. Citizen appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure.

Meeting schedule: Monthly, 1^st Monday, 9 a.m.

HISTORIC RESOURCE REVIEW BOARD — This 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 Board of County Commissioners for landmark designation and reviews alterations and new construction on landmark sites or districts.

Two positions are vacant. One position is for three years. One position is for the remainder of term which expires 2/28/12. Positions are specified as 1) an architect or architectural historian licensed to practice in the state of Florida, and 2) an architect licensed to practice in the state of Florida. Citizens appointed to this Board must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County. After two consecutive terms a member shall not be eligible for reappointment until one calendar year has elapsed from date of termination of the second term.

Meeting schedule: Monthly, 3^rd Tuesday, 3 p.m.

HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY — This Authority was created in 1985 to provide incentives to the private sector to relieve the shortage of affordable housing in Hillsborough County. Through partnerships with lenders, builders and developers, the Authority has assisted thousands of first-time home-buyers through mortgage loan programs, which offer below-market mortgage rates and innovative down payment assistance programs. The Authority has also assisted renters through its Multi-Family Bond programs which feature below-market rental rates to lower income individuals and families.

One position is vacant due to resignation. Position is for the remainder of term which expires 8/31/14.

Meeting schedule: Monthly, generally 2^nd Friday, 9:30 a.m.

MECHANICAL BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEALS AND EXAMINERS — This Board confirms the competency and integrity of applicants applying for mechanical certification in the County, and takes disciplinary action against those contractors that 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, 3^rd Thursday, 10 a.m.

For more information, contact Luann Finley, Director of Board Services, at 813-272-5826.

XXX

Coffee with Sandy, July 8th, West Tampa Sandwich Shop

On 06.21.11, In Blog, By Murman

Come out and meet me for coffee at West Tampa Sandwich Shop on Friday, July 8th at 9:00 a.m.

Share your ideas for our community and our county.

I look forward to seeing you there.

When: Friday, July 8th, 2011 – 9:00 a.m.

Where: West Tampa Sandwich Shop, 3904 N. Armenia Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607

Water Rate Increase hits Hillsborough

On 06.21.11, In Blog, By Murman

Tampa Bay Water approves 3-cent rate increase, reservoir expansion

By Craig Pittman, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Jun 20, 2011 11:05 AM

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Times article on Tampa Bay Water rate increase:

CLEARWATER — Tampa Bay Water will raise its rates as it raises the walls of its reservoir, voting Monday for both a 3 cent rate increase and for expanding its reservoir by 3 billion gallons.

The utility’s board also voted to hire a Nebraska-based firm, Kiewit Infrastructure Group, to handle the expansion and repairs to the reservoir’s walls, which have repeatedly cracked.

“This is a historic moment for Tampa Bay Water and for the region,” Pasco County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand, who chairs the wholesale regional utility, said after the vote to expand the 15.5 billion-gallon C.W. Bill Young Reservoir in rural Hillsborough County.

Water rates throughout Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties would go up by 3 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used, or just under a quarter for the typical user of 8,000 gallons a month. The increase is necessary, according to finance director Koni Cassini, because during the reservoir repair the reservoir will be emptied, and the utility’s Apollo Beach desalination plant will be run more frequently to supply water at a higher cost.

The total price of the repair and expansion of the reservoir is now estimated to be more than $162 million, with $120 million to fix the cracks and another $42 million for the expansion of a facility that originally cost $144 million to build. The utility plans to ask the Southwest Florida Water Management District for financial assistance, although that state agency is facing a 36 percent budget cut mandated by the Legislature.

Some Tampa Bay Water board members had initially questioned the need for expanding the reservoir, but they voted unanimously to approve the expansion. The most vocal critic, St. Petersburg City Councilman Karl Nurse, said he would vote for it because when completed the 18.5 billion-gallon reservoir would lead Tampa Bay Water to be far less likely to use its desal plant, which produces the most expensive water in the system.

However, Nurse and other board members strongly opposed the rate increase included in the $164 million budget for next year, especially since demand for water in the Tampa Bay area has fallen because of the economic slump.

“My constituents are going to ask, ‘How can you justify raising my rates?’ ” Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman told her fellow utility board members. “We cannot put any more burdens on our rate payers.”

Tampa City Councilman Charlie Miranda warned that if they did not raise the rates a little right now, the reservoir repair cost might force them to raise the rates a lot later and then “the sticker shock to the rate payers is really going to be troublesome.”

The rate increase, raising rates to $2.55 per 1,000 gallons, passed on a 5-3 vote.

At this point the utility staff members hope they will be able to offset at least some of the cost with money from suing the company that designed the reservoir, HDR Engineering. But if that does not cover the cost, then rates may have to go up, with the average user seeing a boost of about $1 a month.

The utility’s general manager, Gerald Seeber, strongly urged the board to approve doing the expansion of the reservoir now even though water demand has dropped. Seeber contended it’s less disruptive to do the expansion work during the repair than to try to do it after it’s fixed; and $42 million is less than the estimated $200 million to $300 million to build a second reservoir.

The utility opened the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir in June 2005 to store water skimmed from the Alafia River, Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass Canal. The reservoir covers about 1,100 acres in Hillsborough County.

The walls consist of an earthen embankment as wide as a football field at its base, averaging about 50 feet high. An impermeable membrane buried in the embankment prevents leaks.

The embankment’s top layer, a mixture of soil and cement to prevent erosion, began cracking in December 2006. Some cracks were up to 400 feet long and up to 15 1/2 inches deep. Workers patched the cracks, but the patches didn’t last.

An investigation found that water is getting trapped between the soil-cement lining and the membrane. As long as the reservoir is full, the trapped water remains stable. When the utility draws down the reservoir, though, pressure increases on trapped water in some areas, producing cracks and soil erosion.

The cracks have not been deemed a safety hazard, but utility officials say if they don’t fix their underlying cause, conditions could get worse.

However, HDR Engineering says the problem is not that serious and could be solved with a simple monitoring and maintenance program that would cost less than $1 million a year — a contention utility officials say is false.

Now that the board has approved hiring Kiewit, the utility’s staff will begin negotiating a contract with the company. The goal is to get a contractor hired by Aug. 15 so design and permitting can start by Sept. 1 and construction can start by September 2012. The work is likely to last two years.

Tagged with: fees • Gerald Seeber • Increase • Murman • percent • Rate • Tampa Bay Water

63 New Jobs and Counting

On 06.21.11, In Blog, By Murman

Commissioner Murman lauded in this Tribune editorial on her small business job-creation program:

Editorial: Public money for private sector jobs

Editorial

By TBO.COM
Published: June 20, 2011

It’s a dicey proposition anytime government tries to get involved in creating private sector jobs.

It’s one thing to hire private companies to build roads, buildings and other necessary public projects; it’s another to use tax dollars to actually subsidize private jobs.

Under such scenarios, businesses that receive government aid may benefit, but competitors can suffer, even end up eliminating jobs and making the net effect on the economy negligible.

That is why government usually should avoid tinkering with the marketplace.

But with the county suffering an unemployment rate near 12 percent, it’s understandable that commissioners don’t want to simply sit on their hands.

And the county’s Small Business Job Creation Program provides a cautious but meaningful way to encourage local firms to hire more workers.

It won’t solve the jobless crisis, and county officials should monitor its long-term impact, particularly whether the jobs it creates last and whether it gives some firms an unfair advantage over others.

But the signs are encouraging that it is indeed giving private businesses an incentive to hire more workers.

Hillsborough Commissioner Sandy Murman, who championed the plan, says it has resulted in plans for at least 63 jobs. “That is like bringing a corporation to town,” she says.

The commission approved the program in March, providing $500,000 that will be used to reimburse small businesses for a portion of the salaries they pay new workers over three months. Businesses are limited to subsidies for three workers, and there is a maximum payout of $3,900 per employee. Only firms with 10 employees or fewer are eligible.

Participating companies must be pre-approved. They must be Hillsborough-based and have been in business two years. Workers must be Hillsborough residents. The firms do not have to agree to keep the workers beyond the three months, and they need only pay minimum wage. But they are not reimbursed by the county until the end of the three months, which ensures the jobs actually are filled and that no abuse occurs.

Murman reports an enthusiastic response. Close to 30 businesses have applied, and just a little more than half the funds remain. City Council member Lisa Montelione understandably would like the city to launch a similar effort.

With the city’s budget shortfall, it may be best to see exactly how the county’s experience plays out.

This little program is not going to suddenly ignite the economy, but it does give businesses that are gaining traction reason to invest in growth. Murman, her fellow commissioners and retiring Economic Development Director Gene Gray deserve credit for fashioning a simple, accountable way to give business a hand, without getting government’s fingerprints all over the place.

Tagged with: Creation • Hillsborough • Jobs • program • Sandy Murman • Tampa • tbo

Our West Tampa Sandwich Shop Family

On 06.16.11, In Blog, By Murman

Thank you to the West Tampa Sandwich Shop for the honor of being part of your family!

Our small businesses and community need our help and partnership.

Make sure to visit them!

West Tampa Sandwich Shop

3904 N. Armenia Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607

Phone/Telefono: (813) 873-7104

E-mail: westtampasandwichshop@hotmail.com

Sheriff’s Office Requests Pay Raise Offsets

On 06.14.11, In Blog, By Murman

Raises offset pay cut for retirement system

By JOSH POLTILOVE, MIKELL SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 14, 2011

TAMPA —

Hillsborough County sheriff’s employees will receive a 3.25-percent salary boost to offset a state mandate requiring them to set aside 3 percent of their salaries for retirement.

Sheriff’s employees haven’t received raises in years, and a 3 percent reduction without compensation would have affected morale and quality of life, Sheriff David Gee said.

“I wouldn’t call it a raise,” Gee said. “I don’t think it’s a raise when you’re trying to keep them at their same pay.”

County commissioners did not directly criticize Gee’s decision. But some had reservations.

“It’s their budget; but it’s taxpayers’ money,” Commission Chairman Al Higginbotham said. “I don’t feel it’s the authority of the commission to get involved in the details of their budget; that doesn’t mean we don’t pay attention.”

Commissioner Sandy Murman, a former state lawmaker, said the sheriff’s action undermines the Legislature’s intent to close the state budget deficit without raising taxes.

“When you’ve got a branch of government that is trying to impose this 3 percent reduction, you have to question, if there is an office that’s trying to circumvent that, where is the benefit to the public?” Murman said.

Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober also is considering giving his employees raises to offset the mandate to pay into the state retirement system.

“We’re studying options at this time,” said Mark Cox, a spokesman for Ober. “Our employees haven’t been given a cost of living increase in five years. Our goal is the retention of our valued employees.”

The retirement system covers not only state workers but also teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and other employees of local governments. It provides benefits to 572,000 active and 319,000 retired government employees.

News that Gee had found money to offset his employees’ retirement payments was another more blow to county employees who have been battered by successive years of layoffs, furlough days and flat paychecks.

Juan Basso, president of Local 167 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said for weeks he had heard rumors that Gee would bolster his employees’ paychecks. Then, on Monday, Basso learned Hillsborough Clerk of Court Pat Frank will give her 781 employees $1,500 each in a one-time bonus using money the clerk got from a federal lawsuit settlement.

“All these raises are going around; Pat Frank and the sheriff’s office,” Basso said. “And our blue-collar workers, we don’t get any raises because they say the money is not in the budget.”

Chief Deputy Jose Docobo last week announced to sheriff’s employees that the changes will be effective June 27 – the same day they must begin paying 3 percent into the state retirement system. Deputies as well as civilian employees are affected.

Other Florida counties also are seeking to offset the shift in salary to the retirement system.

Earlier this month, when new Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco unveiled his first budget proposal, he said he hoped to address the retirement contribution change with the Pasco County Commission.

He said it costs about $100,000 to hire a deputy, including a background check and training — much more than it would cost to give existing deputies a pay increase to offset the retirement contribution.

Escambia County’s government and its sheriff are seeking 3.1 percent raises for employees who pay into the state retirement fund, as is Santa Rosa County’s sheriff, the Pensacola News Journal has reported.

State Rep. Debbie Mayfield, a Vero Beach Republican, co-sponsored the legislation mandating 3 percent of salaries for retirement. She has no problem with local government agencies deciding to give raises to employees.

“God bless them, if their taxpayers agree with what they’re doing, I can’t argue with them,” she said.

The Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office’s salary offset is for employees hired before July 1 who are members of the retirement system but have not entered into a deferred retirement options program.

Gee said he has about 3,200 sworn employees and there are about 400 sworn positions currently open. There are about 1,400 civilian employees, with about 170 open positions.

The sheriff’s proposed budget is about $370 million – roughly $130,000 more than in 2011, Gee said.

Tagged with: Budget • David • Gee • Hillsborough • retirement • salary • Salinero • Sheriff

Thoughts on Transportation and the Budget

On 06.10.11, In Blog, By Murman

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tribune article on transportation and budget:

Hillsborough commissioners want plan for roads

By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 10, 2011

TAMPA —

Despite limited money, Hillsborough County commissioners want more transportation projects underway to create jobs and show constituents the county is working to clear jammed roads.

Commissioners voted Thursday to have county administrators contact planners at other agencies in order to draw up a coordinated plan to expedite transportation projects.

“We need to look at this as a strategic objective that we plan for,” said Commissioner Sandy Murman.

Murman started the conversation at a budget workshop where administrators were explaining how they prioritize transportation projects when revenues are plummeting. The county is deferring $76 million in scheduled road work until 2014 because of the continuing decline in the Community Investment Tax, a half-cent sales tax.

Despite the shortfall, County Administrator Mike Merrill has recommended budgeting $32.8 million for road projects in fiscal 2012 and about $56 million in fiscal 2013.

How that money is spent, and how quickly projects can get underway is crucial to the local economy and to residents stuck in traffic jams, Murman said. She said the issue is so important, the county should assign one person to deal only with transportation. No such position now exists.

“The county staff needs to be involved in this at the get-go in some kind of leadership roll,” Murman said. “We’ve got the dollars and the public works department.”

The suggestion spurred a conversation on the importance of transportation and the need to coordinate efforts now fragmented among numerous agencies, most of which do not answer directly to the commission.

Commissioner Mark Sharpe suggested resurrecting a list of road projects recommended by the county’s Transportation Task Force, a group that studied transportation needs from 2006-09. The task force recommended a 1 cent sales tax increase to pay for the road projects as well as a light-rail system. Voters rejected the sales tax last November.

Commissioners finally decided to have county administrators talk initially with directors of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the City-County Planning Commission about coordinating a plan to identify the most crucial road projects. Other agencies could be brought in later, Sharpe said.

msalinero@tampatrib.com (813) 259-8303

Tagged with: Budget • Hillsborough • Metropolitan • Mike Merrill • Planning • Tampa • Transportation • Tribune

Our Budget Priorities

On 06.09.11, In Blog, By Murman

Commissioner Murman was quoted in this Times article on budget priorities:

Hillsborough commissioners discuss budget priorities

By Tia Mitchell, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Jun 09, 2011 07:11 PM

TAMPA — Hillsborough County’s transportation and infrastructure continues to lag far behind its resources, forcing leaders Thursday to discuss ways to prioritize projects and spending in the coming fiscal year.

The community investment tax, used to fund a large chunk of the county’s capital projects, is generating much less money than was projected. Income during the 2011 fiscal year was initially expected to be around $135 million. It came in at just $90 million.

“The CIT has pretty much been our sole source of funding,” said county administrator Mike Merrill. “We kind of put all our eggs in one basket.”

Proceeds from the CIT are split among the school system, the county and its cities. The county expects to receive about $1 billion through fiscal year 2027, but more than $600 million is owed on existing debt.

That leaves about $355 million for everything else, with the county on the hook for projects totalling $482 million.

County commissioners discussed other funding sources, including additional tolls, community development areas and tax increment districts, at Thursday’s budget hearing. Commissioners also said they wanted to re-create a task force that would unite various government and planning agencies, such as HART, the Planning Commission, Expressway Authority and Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Commissioner Sandra Murman said it was “ridiculous” that only 3 percent of the county’s budget goes toward transportation. She advocated for a “transportation czar” that would lead the discussion.

“Something so important is getting so little attention,” she said.

During discussion on parks spending, Murman lobbied for the redirection of $1.5 million budgeted for skateboard parks in Apollo Beach, Brandon and a yet-to-be-determined northwest location. They didn’t seem like a good use of money during such tough times, she said.

Apollo Beach residents have even asked for a trade, Murman said, saying they would rather cut the skateboard park instead of after-school programs.

Merrill told her the parks were funded by impact fees, and that money can only be used for certain projects. But he said county officials will come back to the commission with alternative options for the money.

Tia Mitchell can be reached at tmitchell@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3405.

Tagged with: 2011 • apollo beach • Budget • Florida • Hillsborough • parks • skate

Boys & Girls Club Ground Breaking

On 06.08.11, In Blog, By Murman

Area residents and officials gathered at Resurrection Catholic Church on June 3 for the Boys & Girls Club of Riverview groundbreaking ceremony. From left are Anne Garcia, Joe Garcia, Dan Campo, Diana Campo Ekonomou, Christine Hogan, Earl Lennard and Antonio Diez

Work is under way on a project that will mark the latest step in the development of Riverview.

On June 3, area residents and officials — including Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman — attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Boys & Girls Club of Riverview.

The club is located on the grounds of Resurrection Catholic Church, 6819 Krycul Ave., Riverview.

“This marks the start of a great future for Riverview and its kids,” said Lynn Dumais, board chairwoman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay.

The ceremony marked the start of work on the first two of the three-phase project.

Phase one features a 6,000 square foot building, which will feature areas for tutoring, a computer lab and other recreation space. Phase two is a covered outdoor pavilion for basketball and other activities.

The first two phases are expected to be completed in August to coincide with the start of the fall semester.

“I spent over 40 years working with kids in this county,” said Earl Lennard, former Hillsborough school superintendent and chairman of Riverview Boys & Girls Club leadership team. “In my experience, kids aren’t as prone to trouble or mischief when they are active.”

Work on the first two phases of the Boys & Girls Club of Riverview is scheduled to be completed in August.

Phase three — which involves the closing of the pavilion and building an indoor gymnasium — will begin when the additional required funds are raised. In total, about $1.5 million has been raised for the $3 million project.

The leadership team is presently working toward raising money for a $250,000 matching grant. So far, the team has raised $114,000.

“There are a lot of generous people in Riverview who have stepped up,” said Joe Garcia, board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay.

Once completed, the facility will become the 16th Boys & Girls club in Hillsborough County and will serve up to 150 kids from the Riverview area every day.

“As our community has grown, the need for places for our youngsters has grown as well,” said Lennard, who is the county elections supervisor.

jceballos@tampatrib.com

(813) 627-4762

The Hispanic Voice in Hillsborough Redistricting

On 06.07.11, In Blog, By Murman

Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Times article regarding Hispanic commission district:

Hispanic group forms to have voice in Hillsborough County redistricting

By Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Tuesday, June 7, 2011

TAMPA — Hispanics fueled well more than half the population growth in Hillsborough County during the past decade.

Yet they potentially stand to lose ground politically when it comes to their ability to elect someone whose interests resemble theirs to the Hillsborough County Commission, or force that board to listen to them.

A hastily formed group of Hispanic civic leaders is mobilizing to try to change that as commissioners finalize proposals for new political boundaries for themselves in coming weeks.

“We need to be united, not try to get anyone elected,” said Lydia Medrano with the League of United Latin American Citizens heading an effort calling itself the Hispanic Redistricting Initiative. “We’re just trying to get a district with a large percentage of Hispanics in it.”

Hillsborough County has seven elected commissioners. Four of them represent separate, defined regions of the county, while the other three are chosen in countywide elections.

As with Congress and the Legislature, political boundaries for the four district commissioners are redrawn every 10 years to ensure each represents roughly the same number of people.

Commissioners draw their own boundaries with the help of county demographers and feedback from representatives, not to mention behind-the-scenes political arm wrestling. That process is going on now.

Much of the public debate so far has centered on ensuring that District 3 — representing much of central Tampa and parts of east Hillsborough — maintains roughly the same percentage of its African-American population share, about 40 percent.

On Monday, the Hispanic Redistricting Initiative heard a presentation from John Garcia, redistricting manager for LatinoJustice PRLDEF, a New York group that advocates on behalf of Hispanics. He said Hispanics are arguably worse off under each of the new boundary proposals.

He noted that District 1 — representing much of South and West Tampa, as well as neighborhoods along the south Hillsborough shoreline — currently includes a 35 percent bloc of Hispanics. The existing proposals each have the percentage declining, to no more than 33 percent to just less than 30.

That’s true although the Hispanic population grew countywide by 71 percent to 307,000 people during the past decade.

“You’ve got to work real hard to do something like that,” said Garcia of the fact that all six of the redistricting proposals so far dilute the Hispanic vote in District 1.

Four of the proposed new boundary maps under consideration by the county were drawn largely by county planners, with public input. The two under closest consideration as of the last County Commission meeting emerged from the offices of Commissioners Victor Crist and Sandy Murman, both Republicans.

Crist represents much of northern Hillsborough — or District 2 — and he has to give up some of his territory to other districts that didn’t grow as fast. He is seeking to ensure he doesn’t lose all of the city of Temple Terrace to District 3, represented by Commissioner Les Miller, a Democrat.

Another map with origins in Murman’s office has the south Hillsborough part of her district spreading east to take in the heavily Republican retirement community Sun City Center.

Commissioners hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday at the County Center to consider the maps they have so far.

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