Transportation Planning Organization Board Meeting - 05.05.26

The Hillsborough County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Board held a special meeting on May 5, 2026, focusing primarily on regional transportation planning and governance. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the proposed merger of the Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco MPOs into a regional MPO, including the apportionment of voting seats among the counties and key regional stakeholders such as the Tampa International Airport and Port Authority. Board members debated three main options for seat allocation, with considerations about population equity, voting power balance, and inclusion of transit agencies as voting members. A motion was passed to approve a 25-member board with the airport and port seats off the top, and Hillsborough donating one seat to Pasco, while also moving forward with phase two of the merger planning. Additionally, the board received a presentation from Waymo on their autonomous vehicle technology and expansion plans in Tampa, highlighting safety data, operational details, and potential economic benefits. No direct contract awards or procurement decisions were made during this meeting, but the discussions on MPO governance and regional collaboration could influence future transportation project funding and procurement activities.