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tampamonitor.com
Tampa Monitor
@tampamonitor.com
100 followers 8 following 840 posts
A blog dedicated to the inner workings of Tampa government, focused on the weekly activities of City Council.

https://tampamonitor.com

Operated by @michaelbishop.me
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tampamonitor.com
My original "model" had the split 60/40 but I didn't think she'd win by more than 5% so scaled it back. Was I ever wrong. Scott only won 3 precincts and Young won by 21 points.
Precinct map showing all shades of brown (Young) with Scott winning a small precinct at northern tip of district, a cross cut precinct in middle in light purple and one precinct in southeast corner of district. Margin was 21%.
October 29, 2025 at 2:25 PM
tampamonitor.com
Playing around with election result data and used the Young/DeGeorge/Dudney percentages vs Scott with the remaining votes split 55/45 for Young. (DeGeorge and Dudney endorsed Young). It's not scientific but if Young wins, this is what the map might look like.
Precinct map showing Young with strong votes in downtown/Ybor/West Tampa precincts, and Scott winning East Tampa precincts. Final result is Young by 2.2%
October 27, 2025 at 2:38 AM
tampamonitor.com
Working on an idea. Kinda want it for myself and maybe sell a couple?
Coffee cup mock-up with the text "Tampa Matters tampamonitor.com". Dark green text on white mug. Coffee cup mock-up with silhouette of Tampa City Hall used for the logo of tampamonitor.com. Dark green ink on white mug.
October 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
tampamonitor.com
TPD suspends officer 30 days for violation of police code of conduct. Officer kicked a suspect who was down on his knees in compliance in the head.

www.tampa.gov/news/2025-09...
still shot from helicopter video showing officer kicking a suspect in the head while pointing a gun at him. The suspect is on his knees hands open and to side.
September 10, 2025 at 8:18 PM
tampamonitor.com
Last night Tom DeGeorge, who garnered 10% of the vote, endorsed Young.
I want to thank our volunteers who spent timeless hours knocking and calling for this campaign. We reached so many people who told us that they had never felt seen in politics, and were ready to feel inspired. Win or not, we built a movement around fighting for a better Tampa. We’re not done - this is the beginning of something much bigger. That's why I wholeheartedly endorse Naya Young for District 5 City Council. We have to support candidates who inspire real change, and Naya will bring the energy and perspective our city deserves. She is the best person for the job, by far, and is truly a representation of the best this district has to offer. My team and I are ready to get to work for her, and we ask that you all join us. Together, we are a force for change. Thank you for your unwavering support. Let's get to work.
September 10, 2025 at 4:15 PM
tampamonitor.com
results are unofficial but day of voting is in and Thomas Scott and Naya Young are headed to a run-off. (see previous post for link)
September 9, 2025 at 11:25 PM
tampamonitor.com
Early vote/vote by mail are in, Thomas Scott leads with 27.41%, Naya Young 2nd with 12.19% and Fran Tate close behind at 11.3%.
September 9, 2025 at 11:06 PM
tampamonitor.com
Voter turnout by precinct for D5 special election as of around 6:30pm

www.votehillsborough.gov/UnofficialTu...
September 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
tampamonitor.com
Ash Dudney, candidate for Tampa City Council D5 special election endorses Naya Young prior to the election and urges his supporters to vote for her.

"I believe the representative you want is Naya Young. In case I have yet to make it clear enough: Do not vote for me. Vote for Naya Young."
Since l announced my candidacy back on June 23ra, my intention was to use this platform as an opportunity to offer a unique perspective and bring forth an intense advocacy for my fellow Tampa natives. My odds of winning were slim (to put it kindly) from day one, and I have certainly held no delusions that would suggest otherwise. Regardless, I entered this race, showed up to as many functions as my already overstimulated brain could handle, educated myself on countless topics & issues, met a litany of incredible people, and also got a chance to learn about virtually every fellow candidate in the running for the District 5 City Council seat. Out of the 14 running, only one do I know nothing about as they - to the best of my knowledge - have been to zero forums and I have seen zero interviews regarding. Part of me wants to fantasize that they are an Al-generated candidate, which would be hilarious if we didn't already have one of those in the form of a real person who uses ChatGPT to answer all their questions. So it's kinda more like a field of 12 candidates in my mind. What I will say is that you have a list of many serviceable candidates outside of those two. I can also say that I have genuinely enjoyed the presence of the other eleven candidates with whom I've had the pleasure of interacting. But there is only one particular stand out that has inspired me to make an unorthodox endorsement. While many candidates have their mind in the right place, and many have their heart in the right place - itis of my personal opinion and assessment that only Naya Young exhibits both qualities of heart & mind driving her to represent this community. Her passion has been palpable, her energy is undeniable, and her quick-witted intelligence is clear. If you want somebody who will fight for those that need it most, is willing to seek counsel from those with more storied experience, and will offer a breath of new life on the City Council dais,
September 2, 2025 at 8:41 PM
tampamonitor.com
New milestone for the blog.

I don't pay much attention to analytics or stats, but does help remind me that the site is growing. A year ago that number was less than half what it is now.
All visitors - 601. Up 21.7% compared to the previous 28 days.
September 2, 2025 at 12:45 PM
tampamonitor.com
There is $45.3 million in the FY26 budget funded by .5¢ sales tax.

$44 million in FY25. Some are talking like we'll have that PLUS the new CIT in FY27.

I'll have what they're smoking.

stories.opengov.com/tampa/f9ac8a...
Graph from link showing revenue from 1/2 cent CIT tax FY18-Fy26.
August 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
tampamonitor.com
This is what I referring to. I may be conflating supply and storage storage.

www.youtube.com/live/okncGdb...
Screenshot of a woman at desk on video call streamed over Youtube. Closed caption says "fire currently shares space with the police".
August 7, 2025 at 9:37 PM
tampamonitor.com
The city shared this program this week, thought it would be good to pass along. Opportunities for homeowners, apartment and commercial buildings to upgrade everything from fixtures to irrigation w/rebates.

tampabaywaterwise.org/en/
Screenshot of home page for Water Wise rebate program. A large faucet with a giant drop of water with the earth the bottom of the drop and a house with trees above. Below, a large bungalow, an apartment building and a retail building all with options for rebates.
July 25, 2025 at 3:45 PM
tampamonitor.com
Interesting quote from the new CEO of Related Group in response to a question about the proposed development at Rodeph Shalom. Sounds like they aren’t doing well with their appeal.

www.tampabay.com/news/busines...
It’s not getting done anytime soon. But you never know, right? City councils change over time. It’s not the first time we’ve had to wait and maybe have the temperament change a little bit on the council. That’s an area that has a lot of wealth, has a lot of history. So people are little more sensitive in that little zone. Even though it really makes no sense given what else has already been developed in the immediate area. It’s a lot of “not in my back yard”-ism and people not acting logically. But that happens a lot in our business.
May 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
tampamonitor.com
Fell down a rabbit hole of old Tampa papers digitized by USF Digital Commons.

"WHO DEVOURED THE CITY'S DUCKS?"

(note this paper was very much a KKK/White Municipal party supporting rag)

digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcont...
screenshot of the paper "Tampa Life" with the aforementioned headline.
April 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
tampamonitor.com
Also, if you are wondering if the tariffs are affecting you locally, look no further than the City of Tampa budgeting an additional $2.5 million a year for parts and services in the fleet maintenance department specifically for that reason.

Just setting your money on fire.
Given the volatility of the auto parts market and considering the City of Tampa's current projected annual expenditure of approximately $7.5 million on parts and services-an amount likely to increase— it is essential to assume a proactive, realistic approach to budgeting. Fleet Maintenance has forecasted an increased, estimated contract cost by 25%, raising the total contract value to $10 million annually. This increase accounts for potential price hikes and inflationary trends, including new tariffs of up to 25% announced in April 2025. Please be reminded that our actual costs will be based on our parts usage/need.
April 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
tampamonitor.com
The representative of the parking bros said as much during public comment. They want to vacate an alley they are currently using for their personal gain. They won't provide an easement to the Jackson House unless they get the alley. "They" own the land on both sides minus the Jackson House.
Ariel view of the parking lot presented by representative showing the alley outlined in orange. At the western end of the lot you can clearly see cars parked in the alley.
February 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
tampamonitor.com
I'm reading the state statue cited and the terms the magistrate considers, and as always, I am not a lawyer, (though these mediations by statute don't require lawyers) I could go item by item through this defending Council's decision.

www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ind...
(18) The circumstances to be examined in determining whether the development order or enforcement action, or the development order or enforcement action in conjunction with regulatory efforts of other governmental parties, is unreasonable or unfairly burdens use of the property may include, but are not limited to: (a) The history of the real property, including when it was purchased, how much was purchased, where it is located, the nature of the title, the composition of the property, and how it was initially used. (b) The history or development and use of the real property, including what was developed on the property and by whom, if it was subdivided and how and to whom it was sold, whether plats were filed or recorded, and whether infrastructure and other public services or improvements may have been dedicated to the public. (c) The history of environmental protection and land use controls and other regulations, including how and when the land was classified, how use was proscribed, and what changes in classifications occurred. (d) The present nature and extent of the real property, including its natural and altered characteristics. (e) The reasonable expectations of the owner at the time of acquisition, or immediately prior to the implementation of the regulation at issue, whichever is later, under the regulations then in effect and under common law. (f) The public purpose sought to be achieved by the development order or enforcement action, including the nature and magnitude of the problem addressed by the underlying regulations on which the development order or enforcement action is based; whether the development order or enforcement action is necessary to the achievement of the public purpose; and whether there are alternative development orders or enforcement action conditions that would achieve the public purpose and allow for reduced restrictions on the use of the property. (g) Uses authorized for and restrictions placed on similar property.
January 23, 2025 at 2:05 AM
tampamonitor.com
Overlay district vs CRA district. Darkest area is the overlap between the two.
Map of Tampa generally west of river, north of Kennedy Blvd, east of Habana, south of Columbus. Districts are gray scaled.
January 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
tampamonitor.com
Historic district vs CRA district. Darkest area is overlap.
Similar map with only 2 designated districts.
January 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
tampamonitor.com
How do you define "West Tampa"?

The darkest section is the boundary for the National Historic District. The medium dark section is the "overlay district". The lightest section that includes the west river, is the CRA district. Darkest areas are where the districts overlap.
Map of Tampa generally west of river, north of Kennedy Blvd, east of Habana, south of Columbus. Districts are gray scaled
January 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
tampamonitor.com
Yesterday during public comment a reference was made to the poem "Hatred" by Gwendolyn Bennett.
I shall hate you Like a dart of singing steel Shot through still air At even-tide, Or solemnly As pines are sober When they stand etched Against the sky. Hating you shall be a game Played with cool hands And slim fingers. Your heart will yearn For the lonely splendor Of the pine tree While rekindled fires In my eyes Shall wound you like swift arrows. Memory will lay its hands Upon your breast And you will understand My hatred. From The Book of American Negro Poetry (Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1922) edited by James Weldon Johnson. This poem is in the public domain.
January 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
tampamonitor.com
Looking at the numbers for Congress member Kathy Castor, she won through mail in ballots. Led there by roughly 25,000. Presumably military. Otherwise it was 50/50.

enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3684/Sum...
Breakdown of votes for Representative in Congress District 14. Candidate, Election Day, early vote, vote by mail, total vote, percentage Robert "Rocky" Rochford (REP) 26,737, 60,841,23,809,111,387,44.06% Kathy Castor (DEM) 28,446, 59,684,49,741,137,871,54.54% Nathaniel T. Snyder (LPF) 646,729,382,1,757,0.70% Christopher Bradley (NPA) 681,704,386 1,771,0.70%
November 6, 2024 at 11:24 PM
tampamonitor.com
All votes have been reported by the Hillsborough County SOE. CIT, School millage increase and City Charter Amendment all pass. County amendments don't have the same threshold as State amendments so it passes with 51.5%. School and charter over 60%.

enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3684/Sum...
Screenshot of the SOE site for the 3 measures.
November 6, 2024 at 6:06 PM
tampamonitor.com
Early/Vote by Mail are in for Hillsborough County.

The CIT is up 52%. The 2nd referendum for increasing millage rate for schools is up 62%.

Top of ticket basically 50/50.

enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3684/Sum...
November 6, 2024 at 12:47 AM