ART WOOD WILL TAKE PART IN FILING PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
The Charter Review Board (CRB) is an independent group to which Hillsborough County has given the power to propose amendments to the County Charter. The CRB will conduct a complete review of the Charter looking for areas that need improvement, or sections that should be deleted, changed, or removed.
If the CRB members approve an amendment by a two-thirds majority, the Charter amendment will be added to an election ballot to be voted on by Hillsborough County citizens. County Commissioner Christine Miller appointed Plant City resident Art Wood to this board. The other board members selected Wood to serve as chair by a majority vote.
“I was very flattered to be appointed to the board.” Wood said. “I knew it would be a hard task for a variety of reasons but I have always liked challenges. I embrace, not run from them. I was gratified to be elected chair and will use my leadership skills and experience to try to accomplish our mission.”
Wood retired as CEO of the Railroad Credit Union. Currently, he serves as the chairman of Plant City’s Planning Board, chairman of the Boys & Girls Club, and board member and treasurer of the Tampa Tiger Bay Club.
The 14-member board is appointed by county commissioners every five years. Each commissioner appoints two members who are voters in the commissioner’s district. Elected officials are barred from seats on the CRB. Members of the board serve without pay for one year. The focus of the board for the coming year is to conduct a comprehensive study of all phases of Hillsborough County government.
“Arthur Wood is the ideal appointment for the Hillsborough County Charter Review Board due to his extensive experience, dedication, and deep-rooted commitment to the community,” County Commissioner Christine Miller commented. “Having previously served as chairman of the board in 2015, he possesses valuable insight into the review process and the needs of the county. His ongoing service on the Plant City Planning Board further demonstrates his expertise in local governance and planning. As a longtime resident of Hillsborough County since 1998, Mr. Wood has consistently advocated for the interests of East and South County, proving his dedication to fostering balanced and sustainable growth. His long history of community service underscores his passion for improving the county and its future.”
The CRB will convene regularly. Public comments, board member background knowledge, and input from county commissioners are the sources called upon to make determinations about what needs to be fixed. The board has no power to change taxes, government services, or the rules of the city governments of Plant City, Temple Terrace, or Tampa. Also, the Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Supervisor of Elections, and Tax Collector are not within the oversight of this board, because these offices are governed by the Florida Constitution and the State of Florida Statutes, not the Hillsborough County Charter.
After two public hearings and approval of two-thirds of its members, the CRB will file any proposed amendments to the Charter with the Supervisor of Elections. The Supervisor’s office will then add the amendment to the ballot on the next regular general election. Charter amendments by ordinance may also be voted on at a special election if the Board of County Commissioners choose to call for such a vote.
The Charter Review Board will meet at County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Room 2601, in Tampa, at 6:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month for the year, or until their work is completed.
