2020 Charter Review Board Executive Summary
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2020 Charter Review Board Executive Summary HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 2020 CHARTER REVIEW BOARD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Table of Contents History and Duties of the Charter Review Board ...............................................3 2020 Charter Review Board Members .............................................................4 Staff to the 2020 Charter Review Board ......................................................... 20 Overview of and Issues Addressed by the 2020 Charter Review Board ............. 21 Meeting and Public Hearing Schedule of the 2020 Charter Review Board ......... 23 Rules of Order of the 2020 Charter Review Board........................................... 24 Home Rule Charter ..................................................................................... 28 Historical Listing of Hillsborough County Commissioners ............................... 49 2 | P a g e HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 2020 CHARTER REVIEW BOARD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY History and Duties of the Charter Review Board The Hillsborough County Charter was approved by the voters in 1983 and became effective May 28, 1985. Section 8.02 provides for a Charter Review Board to be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners every five years. Each Commissioner appoints two members who are electors in the Commissioner’s district. Elected officials may not be appointed to serve on this Board. Members of the Charter Review Board are appointed for a period of one year and serve without compensation. The fourteen member Board is an autonomous body and by Charter is empowered to conduct a comprehensive study of any or all phases of county government. The members meet regularly during the year and allow citizen input on the issues being proposed and discussed. The Charter Review Board has no power to change taxes, government services, or government of the Cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, and the Sheriff are not included under the Charter. The duties of these offices are based upon the Florida Constitution and the State of Florida Statutes. In accordance with the Charter, the Charter Review Board, after two public hearings and upon approval of two-thirds of its members may file any proposed amendments to the Charter with the Supervisor of Elections, who shall place these issues on the ballot at the next regular general election. Charter amendments by ordinance may be voted on at a special election if the Board of County commission so choose. 3 | P a g e HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 2020 CHARTER REVIEW BOARD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2020 Charter Review Board Members 4 | P a g e HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 2020 CHARTER REVIEW BOARD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Honorable Edwin Narain, Chair Appointed by Commissioner Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr. District 3 Personal Statement: It’s been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as chairman of this outstanding team of community leaders. We tackled tough topics (during a challenging year) in a respectful and meaningful way that is reflective of the beautiful spirit of our community. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and appreciate the faith of my peers on the board. Biography: Attorney Edwin A. Narain has been an active leader for more than 25 years in the Tampa Bay community. Ed’s journey in leadership began in 1997 with his election as student body president at the University of South Florida. From there, Ed’s commitment to help others – especially children and the working poor – has included serving on local boards such as the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, the Head Start Policy Council, and the Community Action Board. A life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Ed has served as the polemarch (president) of the Tampa Alumni Chapter. In 2008, he was honored as the chapter’s “Man of the Year” and earned in 2010 the chapter’s Leadership Award for his work leading the chapter to its first Southern Province Chapter of the Year Award. Ed is also a member of Leadership Florida’s College Leadership Florida (Class I) and Connect Florida (Class IV) statewide leadership programs. In 2014, Ed entered public service with his election to the Florida House of Representatives. There, he passed several important pieces of legislation including the Dozier School for Boys, Arthur Greene Jr. act and Research and Development Tax credit bill. As a freshman member, Ed’s peers selected him to chair the Florida Legislative Black Caucus. His legislative service earned him the Florida Association of Counties - County Champion Award (2015) and Legislative Appreciation Awards from the Florida League of Cities and Florida Boys and Girls Clubs (2016). He also was awarded two prestigious “Distinguished Advocate” awards from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and was named the Florida Society of Health Systems Pharmacists “Legislator of the Year.” Ed’s footprints of service extends to his job as Vice President of External and Legislative Affairs with AT&T, where he is a three-time Florida Top Performance Manager of the Year (2009, 2010, 5 | P a g e HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 2020 CHARTER REVIEW BOARD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY and 2013) and has earned two AT&T Summit Awards for being among the company’s top achievers. Ed is married to Monica, a public-school teacher, and together they have two young daughters. As founders of the Black Leadership Network at the University of South Florida, they are the endowers of the Narain Family Scholarship that provides financial assistance to African-American students enrolled at the university. In late 2020 he was awarded the H.L. Culbreath Jr. Profile in Leadership Award by the Tampa Bay Chamber for his service; becoming the youngest recipient in the awards history. Ed earned his Jurist Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law. He holds a masters in business administration and a bachelors in psychology from Saint Leo University where he serves on the Board of Trustees and chairs the Student Affairs committee. Other Honors and Recognitions 2015 – University of South Florida’s President’s African American Advisory Committee’s Ike Tribble Alumni Award. 2019 – Named an Honorary Hillsborough County Deputy 2020 – First African American elected Chairperson of the Hillsborough County Charter Review Board 6 | P a g e HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 2020 CHARTER REVIEW BOARD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Mitchell Thrower, III, Vice Chair Appointed by Commissioner Ken Hagan District 5 Personal Statement: I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve on the 2020 Charter Review Board with other dedicated Hillsborough County citizens whose goal was to improve our community. Biography: Mitch Thrower is a fifth-generation resident of Hillsborough County graduating from Chamberlain High School in 1986. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Management degree from Tulane University and an MBA from Florida State University. His professional career began as an auditor with the State of Florida Auditor General’s Office. He joined the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority in 1998 and is currently Senior Manager of Administration. Mitch is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Internal Auditor, and has extensive experience in auditing, budgeting, risk management, and safety. Mitch has been an active member and leader in professional, civic, and charitable organizations. He served as Chairman of the 2010 Hillsborough County Charter Review Board. He is also currently serving as the American Planning Association’s (APA) representative on the National Planning Accreditation Board. Mitch has served as Chairman of the Hillsborough County City- County Planning Commission, Chairman of Hillsborough County B.O.C.C.’s Citizens Advisory Committee, President of the Pine Hollow Special Dependent Taxing District, President of the Florida West Coast Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Treasurer of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, and Chairman of Carrollwood Elementary School Advisory Committee. Mitch is married to Brenda Williams Thrower. They have three children: Mitchell, Alexandra, and Jason. 7 | P a g e HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 2020 CHARTER REVIEW BOARD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Belinthia Berry Appointed by Commissioner Kimberly Overman District 7 Personal Statement: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King It was an honor to serve on the Hillsborough County Charter Review Board to represent all the citizens of this County. I appreciate Commissioner Kimberly Overman for providing me with this opportunity to serve. Biography: Commissioner Kim Overman appointed Belinthia to the Hillsborough County Charter Review Board, District 7. A native of Tampa, FL. Belinthia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations with a minor in Human Resources from Florida A & M University and a Masters in Organizational Leadership and Management from Springfield College. Belinthia Berry is the Director of Corporate College at St. Petersburg College where she provides direction and management for SPC's Corporate Contracts, Lifelong Learning, Recreation and Leisure, SPC College for Kids and SPC Silver Scholars programs. As an advocate and community servant, Belinthia provides service and advocacy to her community through several nonprofit organizations. She currently serves as a Board of Director on the National Board, local President for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Tampa Bay Area Chapter. In addition to, a member and Chaplin of the Tampa Metropolitan Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She was