New Sign-Up Process For Hillsborough Board Meetings

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL ? If you are a Hillsborough County resident who would like to participate in meetings hosted by the board of county commissioners, a new process for signing up to these events is in effect starting at the Aug. 18 meeting, Hillsborough County officials said.

The new process provides equitable options for residents who wish to participate in these meetings, and a fair and safe system for those attending the BOCC regular meetings in person at Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., staff members said.

All speakers, whether virtual or in-person, are still required to sign up in advance at HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp. The online registration opens 48 hours before the meeting. Sign-up assistance will be available the day of the meeting between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. in the lobby of Hillsborough County Center. 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.

Important guidelines are as follows:

• The first 12 in-person sign-ups will be allowed in the boardroom.
• Those in the boardroom must wear a mask.
• The multi-purpose room will be available for those residents who have signed up to speak after the first 12 persons have registered, or for those people who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition.
• The Chair will call on speakers by name in the order in which their requests to speak have been received. Prioritization is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Boardroom and multi-purpose room seating will be available only to those who are scheduled to speak during public comment.
• Unless the Board Chair designates otherwise, speakers are limited to three minutes.
• Guests who wish to watch the meeting from County Center will be accommodated in the lobby and must wear a face covering.
• Speakers will be asked to leave the boardroom and the multi-purpose room after sharing their comments.
• Presentations of proclamations, certificates, and other recognitions will continue to be virtual for the time being.

For more information or to sign up to speak, visit HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp. For general county information, call the customer service center at (813) 272-5900.