Editing Hillsborough County, Florida (section)

=== Board of County Commissioners ===
A [[home rule]] charter for Hillsborough County was approved by voters in a county-wide referendum held in September 1983, and the first county commissioners elected under this new charter took office on May 28, 1985.

Under a charter ordinance that went into effect May 1985, seven county commissioners are directed to perform legislative functions of government by developing policy for the management of Hillsborough County. The county administrator, a professional appointed by the board, and the administrative staff are responsible for the implementation of these policies.<ref name=BCC>{{cite web |title=Board of County Commissioners |url=https://hcfl.gov/government/board-of-county-commissioners |website=hcfl.gov |publisher=Hillsboro County, Florida |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref>

The board also serves as the Environmental Protection Commission. Individual board members serve on various other boards, authorities, and commissions such as the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Tampa Bay Water, Aviation Authority, Expressway Authority, Sports Authority, Port Authority, Arts Council of Hillsborough County, Children's Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Council of Governments.<ref name=BCC />

The charter divides the power of county government between legislative and executive branches. The Board of County Commissioners, which composes the legislative branch, sets overall policy by means of ordinances, resolutions, and motions.

The executive powers of county government are vested in the county administrator, appointed by county commissioners and charged by the charter to faithfully implement the powers of the board. The charter provides for a county attorney, to be hired by the county administrator with the advice and consent of the county commissioners. The charter contains a provision for a charter review board appointed by County Commissioners every five years to conduct a study of county government and propose amendments to the charter. These amendments must be presented to voters for approval. One amendment was approved in November 2002, adding the position of County Internal Performance Auditor to the government structure. This position reports directly to the County Commission.

The current administrator is Bonnie M. Wise, who took office on July 1, 2020, replacing Mike Merrill, who had served as administrator since 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hillsborough taps Bonnie Wise as county administrator|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2020/05/06/hillsborough-tabs-bonnie-wise-as-county-administrator/|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en}}</ref> Wise previously served as the county's deputy administrator and Tampa's chief financial officer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bonnie Wise, Hillsborough's next administrator, almost skipped career in public service|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2020/05/11/bonnie-wise-hillsboroughs-next-administrator-almost-skipped-career-in-public-service/|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en}}</ref>

Of the seven members of the Board of County Commissioners for Hillsborough County, four are elected from single-member districts, and three are elected county-wide. The board approves the county's operating and capital budgets and the county's capital-improvement program. It may take action on any programs for the improvement of the county and the welfare of its residents.

As of 2025, The members of the Board are as follows:
* Henry Cohen (D): Single-Member District #1
* Ken Hagan (R): Single-Member District #2
* Gwen Myers (D): Single-Member District #3
* Christine Miller (R): Single-Member District #4
* Donna Cameron Cepeda (R): At-Large District #5 
* Chris Boles (R): At-Large District #6 
* Joshua Wostal (R): At-Large District #7