BOCC Vote Search Tool
by Tom Scherberger
A new online tool allows anyone to search the votes of Hillsborough County Commissioners since 2016. The tool is at commissionvotes.hillsclerk.com. Until now, researching County Commission votes was a time-consuming process involving text searches of the minutes of individual meetings.
The new online tool, developed by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller, allows anyone to search across multiple meetings by subject, agenda item, date ranges and county commissioners. You can also search votes cast as yes, no, abstain or no vote registered.
For example, searching the subject “budget” generates 64 different votes between May 18, 2016 and April 4, 2018. Hovering over the subject of each vote pops up detailed information regarding the issue.
A text-based voting report for years not covered by the voting tool is on the Clerk’s website.
Clerk of Court & Comptroller Pat Frank, who safeguards all County Commission records, said the new search function is part of her commitment to government in the sunshine.
“This tool supports our three key values: integrity, transparency and accountability,” Frank said. “As a former County Commissioner myself, I know how useful this will be for the commissioners and their constituents.”