Pasco MPO approves seat distribution for proposed Tampa Bay regional MPO merger board

The Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization on May 6 approved a recommended apportionment for a proposed regional MPO merger, giving Pasco County four voting seats on the merged board and one rotating seat for small cities.

Miss Gorman, presenting the regional merger overview, said the effort builds on legislative direction and previous work and aims to create a single forum for regional coordination, amplify public engagement and improve competitiveness for discretionary funding. Staff noted a target timeline that anticipates a regional vote around July 1, 2027.

Board members focused discussion on alternate members and voting thresholds. Miss Gorman explained that certain documents — the long‑range transportation plan (LRTP) and the transportation improvement program (TIP) — will still require a statutory supermajority in some cases, and the proposed interlocal agreement attempts to balance representation by requiring a two‑thirds vote from each county for major actions.

Commissioner Jack Mariano moved to approve the proposed distribution (four seats from the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners and one rotating seat from the small cities), and Commissioner Catherine Starky seconded. The motion also allowed any MO board member to serve as an alternate to preserve quorum if designated representatives cannot attend. The board approved the motion by voice vote.

The approval makes Pasco the last of the three counties to consent at this stage, staff said; Hillsborough and Pinellas counties had already taken similar actions. Miss Gorman said staff will continue to refine documents in phase two and return to the board with names and further implementation details.

The board’s action was procedural: members approved the structure and apportionment, not specific appointees. Miss Gorman repeatedly emphasized that final voting rules for LRTP and TIP actions remain governed by statute and will require continued interjurisdictional coordination.

Next steps: staff will incorporate board feedback on alternates and minority protections into the draft interlocal agreement and return with additional materials in subsequent meetings.