Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties Approve Combining Workforce Boards

Hillsborough & Pinellas Boards of County Commissioners approve Interlocal Agreement to combine workforce boards

~ CareerSource Pinellas and CareerSource Tampa Bay (Hillsborough) to combine on July 1, 2024~

TAMPA, FL – Pinellas County and Hillsborough County announce a significant development in the workforce with the approval of an interlocal agreement by both the Pinellas and Hillsborough Boards of County Commissioners.  This momentous decision marks the formation of the Hillsborough/Pinellas Workforce Development Consortium, signaling a transformative step toward consolidating the two influential workforce boards.

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners formally adopted the Interlocal Agreement during its regularly scheduled meeting on November 14, 2023.  Subsequently, the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners endorsed the agreement on November 15, 2023, solidifying a shared commitment to advancing regional workforce development.

The initiative to merge CareerSource Pinellas and CareerSource Tampa Bay into a unified entity was catalyzed by the Reimagining Education and Career Help Act, known as the REACH Act, which became law in June 2021.  Following a comprehensive study completed in February 2023, the consolidation recommendation gained momentum and received Governor Ron DeSantis’ endorsement, setting an effective date of July 1, 2024.

In a joint statement, Steve Meier, CEO of CareerSource Pinellas, and John Flanagan, President & CEO of CareerSource Tampa Bay (Hillsborough), expressed their optimism: “CareerSource Tampa Bay and CareerSource Pinellas are enthusiastic about the positive impact this consolidation will have on workforce development in the region.  The unified effort aims to enhance the delivery of services to job seekers, workers and employers, fostering a more efficient and comprehensive workforce development system.”

Key Points of the Interlocal Agreement:

Roles and Responsibilities: The agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of each county in the administration and operations of publicly funded workforce development programs within the Hillsborough/Pinellas Workforce Development Consortium.

Consortium Formation: Pinellas & Hillsborough Boards of County Commissioners delegates their responsibilities as the Chief Local Elected Official for the Region 14 and Region 15 Local Workforce Development Area to the new consortium.  Each county board will appoint two members to the consortium.

This agreement will result in a combined $36.1 million budget for the consolidated workforce region.

Terms of the Agreement: The initial term will commence on December 1, 2023, and extend through June 30, 2025, with automatic renewal for additional one-year terms after that, unless either party provides written notice not to renew.

Consortium Structure: The consortium will consist of four currently serving commissioners, with two commissioners from each county.  Members will serve fixed and staggered terms of two years, with the chair and vice-chair elected by a simple majority vote.  Commissioners Rene Flowers and Chris Latvala will represent Pinellas, and Commissioners Gwen Myers and Joshua Wostal will represent Hillsborough.

Authorities and Responsibilities: The consortium and Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) will jointly undertake decisions and actions required by the Acts or other applicable laws.  They will establish bylaws, approve the annual planning budget, and designate an Administrative Entity and Fiscal Agent for programs under the Acts.

Meeting Schedule: The Consortium and LWDB will meet regularly, with at least quarterly meetings, adhering to the “sunshine provisions” of WIOA and Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Act.

Agreement Modification or Amendments: Any modifications or amendments require written approval from both County CEOs and filing with each County’s Clerk of the Court.

Timeline

In 2021, The Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1507, establishing the Reimagining Education and Career Help (REACH) Act.

06/24/2021: Governor Ron DeSantis signed the REACH Act into law.

11/14/2023: Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners Approves Interlocal Agreement combining Pinellas & Hillsborough County Workforce Boards.

11/15/2023: Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners Approves Interlocal Agreement combining Pinellas & Hillsborough County Workforce Boards.

12/01/2023:  The agreement’s initial term will commence on December 1, 2023, and continue through June 30, 2025, with automatic renewal for additional one-year terms thereafter unless either party provides written notice not to renew.

About CareerSource Pinellas

CareerSource Pinellas is governed by a Board of Directors whose members are appointed by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners.

CareerSource Pinellas is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers listed may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

CareerSource Pinellas is funded entirely by federal grants. Accordingly, 100% of the cost of its programs will be financed with federal funding from the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Agriculture as part of awards totaling approximately $12,776,000.

CSP is also a proud partner of the American Job Center network. For more information about workforce development in Pinellas County, visit here.  

About CareerSource Tampa Bay

Programs and initiatives are sponsored by CareerSource Tampa Bay and the State of Florida, FloridaCommerce, and fully supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture as part of awards totaling $23,377,669.

CareerSource Tampa Bay works with businesses and candidates to leverage their training, retraining, and competitive opportunities in the workforce.  CareerSource Tampa Bay provided 97,000 services to 20,000 active Wagner-Peyser individuals during the program year 2021-22.  CareerSource Tampa Bay, with our six career centers, is the single largest source of job candidates in the region, from entry-level to executive-level candidates.  We work closely with all Veterans.

Businesses can access CareerSource’s wide range of services, including recruiting, training for new and existing employees, targeted hiring events, and retention support strategies.  All resources and services are provided at no cost to both businesses and job candidates.  Programs funded through CareerSource Tampa Bay & CareerSource Pinellas are equal opportunity programs with auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities.  Persons using TTY/TTD equipment use Florida Relay Service 711.  A proud partner of the American Job Center network, to learn more, visit www.careersourcetampabay.com.

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