Get Involved; Serve on a Hillsborough County Commission Board

With the new year almost here, it's time to get involved. The Hillsborough County Commission is seeking applicatios for various citizen boards and councils. Applications are due by Jan. 26, 2012. Appointments will be scheduled for a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners in February or March, 2012.

Applications can be picked up at County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa; or by calling 813-272-5826; or on the County’s website at: www.hillsboroughcounty.org. A Background Investigation Disclosure and Authorization Form must also be submitted with applications for boards with background checks, which also is available on the website.

The openings are as follows:

• 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, affordable housing. Four positions are vacant.  Two terms are for three years.  Two positions are for the remainder of terms, which expire Aug. 1, 2012 and Oct. 31, 2013. After two full consecutive terms, a member shall not be eligible for reappointment until three calendar years have elapsed from date of termination of the second term. Positions are specified as: 1) a citizen representing employers in the jurisdiction; 2) a citizen representing essential services personnel as defined in the Local Housing Assistance Plan; 3) a mortgage lending industry representative; and 4) a home builder industry representative. Meeting schedule:  Monthly, first Monday, 9 a.m.

• ANTI-BULLYING ADVISORY COMMITTEE--provides advice and recommendations to curb and eliminate all forms of bullying throughout Hillsborough County. Two terms are expiring. Terms are for three years.  Positions are specified as child welfare advocacy organization representatives.  Appointment to this Board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Meeting schedule: fourth Thursday, every other month.

• BUILDING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEALS & EXAMINERS--confirms the competency and integrity of applicants applying for building certification in the County, and takes disciplinary action against those contractors that fail to comply with the Building Code. One term has expired.  Term is for two years.  Position is specified as an alternate.  Citizens appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure.  Meeting schedule:  Monthly, third Tuesday, 9 a.m.

• CENTRAL PARK COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE--ensures that the interest of residents, property owners, businesses, and other stakeholders in the area are represented in key decisions relating to the CRA Plan and Tax Increment Financing budget for their area. One term is expiring.  Term is for two years.  Members should have a background or expertise in the redevelopment process, such as neighborhood planning, real estate development and/or real estate finances.  Members must live or work in the redevelopment area and/or have significant interests within the CRA’s area of influence.  Membership should represent the diversity of stakeholders in the area.  Members are required to sign a Sunshine Law and Ethics Code Acknowledgement Form.  Meeting schedule: first Monday, 10 a.m.

• CHILD CARE FACILITIES ADVISORY BOARD--advises the Board of County Commissioners on recommended amendments to the Child Care Facilities Ordinance; proposes additional rules and regulations to the County Commission which fulfill the intent and purpose of the Ordinance; and 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 Office of Child Care Licensing on all matters pertaining to child care facilities. Three terms have expired.  Terms are for three years.  Positions are specified as: 1) a parent of a child in a child care facility; 2) a local non-profit or governmental agency serving the needs of young children and their parents; and 3) a representative of a non-profit licensed child care facility or organization.  Appointment to this Board is contingent upon passing a criminal background check.  Meeting schedule: Monthly, first Thursday, 1 p.m.

• CHILD CARE LICENSING HEARING OFFICER—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, 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 term has expired.  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.

• FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME ADVISORY BOARD--annually reviews and advises the Board of County Commissioners on recommended amendments to the Family Child Care Home Licensing Ordinance and 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, procedure, and priorities; and proposing additional rules and regulations regarding the intent and purpose of the ordinance. Three positions are vacant.  Terms are for three years.  Positions are specified as: 1) a licensed family child care home operator; and 2 & 3) a parent who has 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, third Thursday, 7 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.  Term is for two years.  Position is specified as a health care provider.  Meeting schedule: second Wednesday of every other month, 8 a.m. in St. Petersburg.

• 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 Board of County Commissioners for landmarks designation and reviews alterations and new construction on landmark sites or districts. One term has expired and three positions are vacant, one due to resignation.  Three terms are for three years.  One position is for the remainder of term which expires June 30, 2013.  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.  Positions are specified as: 1) an alternate, 2) an architectural historian, 3) an architect, and 4) a licensed real estate broker.  Members must have a demonstrated interest, competence, or knowledge in historic preservation.  Citizens appointed to this board must reside in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County.  Meeting schedule: Monthly, third Tuesday, 3 p.m.

• HOSPITAL AUTHORITY--monitors the lease with Florida Health Sciences Center, Inc. (FHSC), which permits FHSC to occupy and operate the Authority’s Davis Island property and Tampa General Hospital.  Campus maintenance obligations, provision of indigent care, and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation are included in the Authority’s monitoring obligations. Two positions are vacant.  One position is for four years. One position is for the remainder of term, which expires June 30, 2014.  Citizen appointed to this Board will be required to file an annual financial disclosure.  Meeting schedule: Quarterly, generally fourth Monday, 9 a.m.

• HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY--provides incentives to the private sector to relieve the shortage of affordable housing in Hillsborough County.  Through partnerships with lenders, builders and developers, the Authority assists first-time home-buyers through mortgage loan programs, which offer below-market mortgage rates and innovative down payment assistance programs.  The Authority also assists renters through its Multi-Family Bond programs, which provide below-market rental rates to lower income individuals and families. One term is expiring.  Term is for four years.  Meeting schedule: Monthly, generally second Friday, 9:30 a.m.

• MECHANICAL BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, APPEALS & EXAMINERS--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 terms are for four years and 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.

• PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE-- acts in the public interest on all matters relating to the Public Art Ordinance including the selection, placement and maintenance of works of public art throughout the County.  The Committee provides public input in the administration and planning of the Public Art Program, and serves as the liaison to the Hillsborough County visual arts community. One term has expired. Term is for three years. No member shall serve for more than two full three-year terms. Position is specified as a private citizen with a demonstrated knowledge and appreciation for visual art.  Meeting schedule: Quarterly. For information about serving and to obtain an application contact Luann Finley, Director of Board Services, at 813-272-5826.