The Florida Department of Transportation could gain control of port-owned land at the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 South and Diana Toledo Almeida Road near Gibsonton after Port Tampa Bay's board considered the transfer at its Aug. 18 meeting.

The meeting agenda listed the right-of-way conveyance as a regular agenda item rather than a consent-agenda item. Diana Toledo Almeida Road serves as the access road to Port Redwing, the port's bulk-cargo facility at 6059 Diana Toledo Almeida Road in unincorporated Hillsborough County along the Port Redwing Channel.

FDOT would use the land for right-of-way improvements at the intersection. The agenda did not state the specific acreage, dollar value or construction timeline for the project.

Also before the board was Minor Work Permit 82267, a submerged-lands rule variance issued by the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPC) for a private residential dock modification at 6520 Surfside Blvd. in Apollo Beach. Because it appeared on the consent agenda, the permit was bundled with other routine items for a single vote unless a board member pulled it for separate discussion.

Under a 2009 interlocal delegation agreement, the EPC processes qualifying marine-construction permit applications for single-family residential properties, while Port Tampa Bay retains permitting jurisdiction over work on or over tidal or sovereign submerged lands.

The permit's details, including the type of modification proposed, were not described in the publicly posted agenda.

Budget hearings ahead

The board's calendar lists three upcoming sessions where residents can weigh in on Port Tampa Bay's fiscal year 2027 spending:

  • Aug. 20 — FY2027 Budget Workshop, 1:30 p.m., Port Tampa Bay Boardroom.
  • Sept. 8 — Tentative millage rate and FY2027 budget public hearing, 5:01 p.m., Port Tampa Bay Boardroom.
  • Sept. 16 — Final millage rate and FY2027 budget public hearing, 5:01 p.m., Port Tampa Bay Boardroom.

All three sessions are open to the public. The boardroom is at 1101 Channelside Drive in Tampa.

Port Tampa Bay's next monthly business meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m.