TAMPA -- Weeks of controversy came to a quiet end as the Hillsborough County Commission voted 7-0 to abolish the Emergency Policy Group and take responses to COVID-19 and hurricanes back under the wing of the commission. Technically, the measure designates the commission as the emergency policy group.
Commissioners also voted 7-0 to meet once a week on Thursdays to get updates on the pandemic.
Commissioner Mariella Smith spoke in favor of the measure, pointing out that "66 of 67 counties do it the other way". Commissioner Kimberly Overman said it was her "firm belief" that the Commission, which has elected members representing all parts of the county, is best to handle emergency issues.
The Emergency Policy Group had been the subject of controversy over its enactment of mask rules, lockdowns and curfews. Commissioners caught flak over its decisions even though most of them didn't participate in making those rules. The Commission will have to vote by Monday on whether to continue the emergency mask ordinance enacted by the former EPG.
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