Hillsborough Commission To Resume In-Person Public Comments

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — In-person public comment will return in limited capacity at the regular Board of County Commissioners meetings beginning Aug. 4.

The BOCC sets aside 45 minutes at the beginning of its regular meetings to hear from the public. In an effort to maintain accessibility, commissioners will continue with the convenient virtual option as well.

Coronavirus protocols have restricted in-person public attendance at the BOCC’s meetings held in the second-floor boardroom of the Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., since March 2020.

The primary focus for Hillsborough County remains public safety. Seating in the boardroom will be limited, with some overflow seating available in the first-floor multipurpose room. Speakers may address the board from either location. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and to practice social distancing. Groups will be limited to four people.

Virtual public comment will continue to be an option.

Here are the guidelines:

• Sign up to speak during a meeting here.
• Online registration for both virtual and in-person public comment will open 48 hours before the meeting.
• Sign-ups for both virtual and in-person public speaking opportunities for public hearings and public comments close at 9 a.m. on the day of the meeting.
• Speakers, both virtual and in-person, will be called on in the order of when the speaker sign-up form is submitted.
• In-person registration will also be accepted on the day of the meeting in the lobby of Frederick B. Karl County Center.
• Assistance will be available on-site between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
• Unless the board chair designates otherwise, speakers are limited to three minutes.
• Audiovisual presentations such as Power Points, digital photos, audio and video files for public comments are not accepted at this time. However, presentations may be submitted to the Clerk's Office for insertion into the official record. Email any submissions to: boccrec@hillsclerk.com.
• Presentations of proclamations, certificates and other recognitions will continue to be virtual for the time being.

For more information, visit HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp. For general county information, call the Customer Service Center at 813-272-5900.