In a recent meeting held earlier this week, Hillsborough County put a spotlight on Black-owned businesses by designating the entire month as Black Business Month. The county acknowledged the significant contributions these businesses make to the economic fabric of the country, comprising nearly 10% of all American enterprises and a striking 30% of minority-owned businesses in the U.S., according to the county's meeting recap.
Peek into the commissioners' docket and you'll see that mental health was a key focus; they sealed a deal with Mental Health Care, Inc. for a short-term residential program aimed at helping individuals deemed incompetent to proceed to trial to potentially regain their competency but also, the Board joined hands with Northside Behavioral Health Center, providing for the needs of adults battling severe, chronic mental illness, crucial support in a society often indifferent to mental health needs.
The county is not stopping there: tapping into the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds, a collaboration with Tampa General Hospital has bloomed, resulting in a new patient tower dedicated to combating global emerging diseases, with the funding arrangement including up to $5 million in reimbursements of previously allocated ARP monies plus an additional potential $1 million on the condition that it's matched dollar-for-dollar by the City of Tampa.
In the realm of public safety, the board approved contracts across the board for ambulance services, including deals with St. Joseph's Hospital and HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, and hitched a contract with Med-Trans Corporation providing an air ambulance link to 13 AdventHealth facilities. The need for rapid and reliable medical transport is especially evident in a world that's seen more than its fair share of health crises recently.
Meanwhile, on the streets and specifically in school zones, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is ramping up speed enforcement teaming with Redspeed Florida, LLC, after identifying 29 school zones that represent a real risk to our kids.
The wheel of democracy spins as the majority of the commissioners have opted to appeal a recent legal decision that would have forced a school funding referendum onto the November ballot, with the board also choosing to seek assistance from outside legal counsel to further navigate the judicial maze set before them.
The next public meeting of the BOCC is slated for August 21 and will be broadcast live on YouTube on the Hillsborough County Meetings channel for all those who want to tune in and see local governance in action.
