COUNTY MEETINGS
Make Your Voice Heard
Hillsborough County Commissioners make decisions about the Pet Resource Center. Public meetings are your opportunity to speak directly to them.
NEXT MEETING
No upcoming meeting is currently scheduled.
Check back for updates as new meetings are announced.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
1
Sign Up
Register to speak when registration opens.
2
Prepare
Prepare a short, focused statement about why a new Pet Resource Center matters to you.
3
Show Up
Attend in person or participate virtually.
PAST MEETINGS
Past Meetings
Watch previous County meetings related to the effort for a new Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center.
October 21, 2026
BOCC Regular Meeting
Timestamp: Pet Resource Center discussion begins at approximately 2 hours 47 minutes (2:47:20).
Meeting Summary
A total of $45.9 million has been identified for the new Pet Resource Center project, including:
- $13 million in existing funding through the county's Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
- $30 million designated through the renewed Community Investment Tax (CIT) — this funding was included in the county's 2024 project list but still requires formal budget allocation
- $2.9 million in additional funding approved on October 21, 2026.The additional $2.9 million came from previously unallocated HOPE Affordable Housing funds. Following the repeal of the HOPE Affordable Housing Act ordinance in June 2025, these funds became available for other public purposes.Commissioner Christine Miller proposed redirecting the $2.9 million to the new shelter. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0.County staff is expected to present a comprehensive report in December 2026 outlining potential facility options, estimated construction costs, and funding needs.Commissioner Miller also requested that the county explore the possibility of including on-site housing for veterinarians to help with recruitment and retention.While $45.9 million has been identified for the project, not all funding has completed the formal allocation process.
The county has also not approved a final shelter design, construction budget, or timeline.The December report should provide more clarity about what the county plans to build, how much it will cost, and whether additional funding will be needed.We will continue monitoring the project and sharing updates as decisions are made.
Watch on YouTube
September 24, 2026
FY 2027 Second Budget Public Hearing & Capital Improvement Program Public Hearing
Meeting Summary
Commissioner Hagan addressed concerns about funding for a new facility. He confirmed that $13 million is in the county's Capital Improvement Program, and another $30 million is identified on a Community Investment Tax project list as eligible for the facility. He noted that public hearings are required before the county can move the $30M to directly fund the shelter.Hagan also said county staff are evaluating facility and funding options, and the county administrator is expected to report back to the board sometime this fall with a project schedule and other details.
Watch on YouTube
September 16, 2026
BOCC Regular Meeting
Timestamp: Pet Resource Center public comment begins at 1 hour 4 minutes (1:04:00) and runs through 1 hour 15 minutes (1:15:00).
Meeting Summary
Commissioner Christine Miller requested that County staff provide quarterly updates to the Board on the Pet Resource Facility Improvement Project. The updates are to include current planning and evaluation, identified or programmed funding, anticipated scope, major milestones and timelines, decisions needed from the Board, and significant changes affecting the project's funding, schedule, scope or approach.Miller also requested that staff evaluate whether any unallocated funds remaining in the County's HOPE Affordable Housing account could legally and feasibly be reallocated to the Pet Resource Facility Improvement Project. HOPE funding had not been approved for the Pet Resource Center — staff was asked only to evaluate whether reallocation was legally and feasibly possible.
Watch on YouTube
September 10, 2026
FY 2027 First Budget Public Hearing
Meeting Summary
Commission Chair Ken Hagan addressed concerns that plans for the Pet Resource Center could change or be delayed. Hagan said those concerns were unfounded and stated that the County was continuing to move forward with the project.Deputy County Administrator Greg Horwede addressed the project's funding in a memo to commissioners. He stated that County administration had not proposed eliminating or reducing funding for upgrading the shelter. Horwede said potential funding approaches could include funding the shelter as part of a larger bond issue, through a pay-as-you-go allocation over two to five years, or through another mechanism.
Watch on YouTube