Michael Owen proposal to create a Stewardship District in southern Hillsborough clears House panel

A proposal by Apollo Beach Republican Rep. Michael Owen creating a new independent special district in southern Hillsborough County has cleared its second House committee.

The House Ways & Means Committee advanced the bill (HB 4061), which aims to establish the Land Reserve Stewardship District — a single-purpose special district designed to plan, finance and manage infrastructure and public services for a defined area of land — within Hillsborough County.

“This is an effective way for private money to pay for public roads. The Stewardship District does not supersede local government and is subject to the comp plan,” Owen told committee members.

Under the proposal, the District would have authority to build, operate and maintain infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, stormwater facilities and other public improvements, while also holding the power to levy assessments, issue bonds and impose future ad valorem taxes within the District’s boundaries.

The bill specifies that any debt incurred by the District would not constitute a financial obligation of Hillsborough County. The district would not have zoning or land-use authority and would remain subject to Hillsborough County’s comprehensive plan and development regulations. 

While the District would be created upon the bill taking effect, its authority to levy ad valorem taxes would require approval by voters within the District at a General Election. Governance of the District would initially rest with a landowner-controlled board, with control transitioning to resident-elected board members once population thresholds are met.

Once the District reaches 14,000 qualified electors, one of the five board members would be elected by District residents, with the remaining four still elected by landowners. At 21,000 qualified electors, residents would elect two board members; at 28,000, three members; and at 35,000, four members.

Full resident control of the governing board would be achieved once the district reaches 40,000 qualified electors, at which point all five supervisors would be elected by district voters. Elections of resident board members would be held during General Elections and conducted in a nonpartisan manner.

The bill also outlines procedures for future expansion, contraction or termination of the District, authorizes mergers with other Districts, and requires disclosures to purchasers when residential property is located within district boundaries.

HB 4061 still faces one additional House committee stop with the State Affairs Committee before it can be considered by the full House. A Senate companion bill has not yet been filed.