Residents raised concerns over transparency, development impacts and how public safety funds are being used.
The commission meeting was full of tension and frustration, with a night full of questions over Flock cameras and future development. Before the commotion began, the meeting started with awards and recognition.
Recognition 26-414 – Presentation of a proclamation recognizing September 2026 as “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Plant City.” The month is dedicated to bringing awareness to childhood cancer.
Next was public comment, where residents spoke out about the last commission meeting and shared concerns about not feeling heard and a lack of transparency.
Following public comment was the consent agenda.
Consent agenda items 26-422 – Resolution #184-2026 approving minutes of the special meeting held Aug. 24, 2026; 26-400 – Resolution #185-2026 approving minutes of the regular meeting held Aug. 24, 2026; 26-397 – Resolution #186-2026 approving an extension of time to be heard by the City Commission for PC/CPA 25-02; 26-398 – Resolution #187-2026 approving an extension of time to be heard by the City Commission for PC/CPA 25-05; 26-399 – Resolution #188-2026 accepting the easement and mortgage subordination from PAR Storage Plant City, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, for meters and backflow preventer assemblies; 26-408 – Resolution #189-2026 accepting the easement and mortgage subordination from JBL Lake Walden, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, for meters and backflow preventer assemblies; and 26-416 – Resolution #190-2026 setting a legislative public hearing to adopt a capital improvement budget, which includes an asset management program, for fiscal year 2026-27 and the next four years thereafter, were all approved 5-0.
Before the City Manager report, Fire Chief Dittman recognized AMVETS Post 44 for its community donations. Dittman shared that the organization donated a battery-operated fan to enhance the department’s ability to ventilate buildings without using gasoline or other chemicals. They also donated three backpack foam sprayers that the department uses to suppress fires in areas that fire trucks can’t reach.
“Over the past two years it’s been almost $12,000, and I just like to publicly recognize the AMVETS with a gratitude certificate from the fire department,” Dittman said.
Next was agenda item 26-349 – Resolution #191-2026 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Sunset Memorial and Stone Ltd. Corp. for the purchase and installation of three columbaria in city cemeteries.
The city currently has less than 250 full burial spaces available and is expected to sell all spaces within the next two to three years. Columbaria will be added to each graveyard.
This resolution passed 5-0.
Next was 26-395 – Resolution #192-2026 waiving bid requirements on a sole-source vendor and authorizing the purchase of Liberty Grinder Pumps from Technical Sales Corporation.
The city owns 57 lift stations, and four stations have exceeded their service life. The grinder pumps will help improve reliability and reduce future maintenance for a total price of $82,440.84.
The resolution passed 5-0.
26-403 – Resolution #193-2026 approving Change Order No. 1 with Dewberry/Hydro Solutions for Water Treatment Plant No. 5.
Lynn Spivey said this has been a problematic project with a lot of extra work done. The change order is for $59,900.
The resolution passed 5-0.
26-413 – Resolution #194-2026 authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 1 to the construction contract with American Construction Service for N. Woodrow Wilson Street sidewalk improvements.
There is currently no sidewalk for pedestrians. This change order will remove the two storm manholes, cast-in-place conflict structure, replacement of an additional 220 feet of existing potable water main, roadway restoration, and other miscellaneous items.
The change order increases the completion date by 71 days to Dec. 14.
“As long as this is done before the Strawberry Festival, it’s great,” said Vice Mayor Jason Jones. “A lot of kids travel on this, so I’m excited it’s getting done.”
The resolution passed 5-0.
Next were 26-417 – Resolution #195-2026 approving an amendment to the budget for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2026, and 26-418 – Resolution #196-2026 approving an amendment to the CIP budget for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2026, and the next four years.
These were approved 5-0.
Last on the City Manager report was 26-386 – Consideration of Resolution #197-2026 approving an appointment to the Hillsborough County Community Action Board.
During the commissioner reports, Commissioner Mathis gave a shoutout to Parks and Recreation for its kid’s market, and Commissioner Kerr recognized the Leadership Award recipients for their service to the community.
Next was the public hearing on the tentative millage rate and budget: 26-401 – Resolution #198-2026 adopting the tentative millage rate for the year 2026 and setting a public hearing on the final millage rate; and 26-402 – Resolution #199-2026 adopting the tentative budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and setting a public hearing on the final budget.
During public comment, one resident asked for the budget to include public safety tax spending with Flock costs, not just capital, and to have the traffic utility on the record.
These resolutions were approved 5-0.
Sterling Commerce Center once again brought some tension to the room.
26-392 – A legislative public hearing on Ordinance #14-2026 approving map amendment PC/CPA 25-02, located on the west side of Webb Road, north of U.S. Highway 92 and west of County Line Road; and 26-394 – A quasi-judicial public hearing on Ordinance #15-2026 to modify the Sterling Commerce Center Planned Development District, located on the west side of Webb Road, north of U.S. Highway 92 and west of County Line Road, were both approved 5-0. However, before the decision was made, multiple residents spoke out, asking the panel to vote no.
One resident asked what the target industry would be for the location. Another asked how the development would accommodate industrial uses in a residential area, while others raised concerns about habitat for species and flooding.
The applicant said it would be used for heavy equipment storage and that future construction would have to go through the commissioners for approval.
One resident started swearing at the commissioners over what he described as a lack of transparency in decision-making and demanded answers about the land use and flooding concerns. Commissioners Mathis and Haney did not like the outburst and wanted him to stop swearing, while the mayor allowed the resident to continue for his three minutes.
Lastly were other resolutions and ordinances.
26-396 – Resolution #200-2026 setting a legislative public hearing on an ordinance to annex eight parcels totaling 112.1± acres (ANX-2025-04 & ANX-2026-01); and 26-421 – Resolution #201-2026 setting a legislative public hearing on an ordinance amending the Charter regarding dates of regular municipal elections.
These were approved 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m., and the next meeting will be on Sept. 28.
