Group photo of six people, including a Black woman in a white blouse (Naya Young, center-right), standing in a city council chamber in front of the official City of Tampa seal and a wood-paneled wall.

Tampa Monitor: Tree trust fund, $350K for the ferry, and a $67 million question in front of city council this week

New Tampa City Councilwoman Naya Young will cast her first votes from the dais on Thursday, Nov. 6.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

Newly elected Tampa City Council Member Naya Young joins council for their regular agenda meeting this Thursday. Topics include funding a cross bay ferry, FY25 budget closeout, and the tree fund.

View of downtown Tampa skyline centered on the historic City Hall building with its clock tower, flanked by much taller, modern glass skyscrapers, including the PNC Bank building.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City attorney apologizes after proposing policy change that would’ve redefined neighborhood leaders as lobbyists

City Attorney Andrea Zelman said it was never her intent to infringe on the public’s ability to speak to their elected officials or the administration.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 27, 2025October 28, 2025

A severe flood scene where a wide residential street is completely submerged under a dark sheet of water mixed with debris and leaves. The water reflects the large trees and palm trees lining the sides of the street under a bright sky.

Columns

$4.1 million for South Tampa Howard Avenue flood relief project goes in front of city council this week

And to remind folks, we’re talking about every day summer afternoon thunderstorms flooding.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

A rendering of the Tampa Channelside District, showing a large white Ferris wheel structure, the abstract "Exploding Chicken" sculpture in a roundabout, and cruise ships docked at Port Tampa Bay.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City council to discuss Channelside observation wheel, officially dissolve city’s Racial Reconciliation Committee, and more

Future land use updates, regulating pickleball, the ‘Tree Trust Fund,’ and more are also on the agenda.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

An aerial view of an urban landscape. In the foreground are lower-rise brick and stucco buildings with parking lots, while a major highway overpass separates this area from a dense city skyline with skyscrapers in the distance.

News & Views

Citing extraordinary circumstances, Tampa City Council takes step towards raising mobility impact fees

The city of Tampa hasn’t increased the fees since they were put in place in 1989.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

A white General Motors police SUV with black trim and emergency lights on display at an auto show, featuring “POLICE” and “Emergency 911” markings on the side, surrounded by attendees in the background.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Council to discuss 14 EV cop cars, budget adoption, more

Development agreements for infill lots owned by the city are also on the Sept. 18 agenda.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 15, 2025September 15, 2025

Aerial view of downtown Tampa at sunset, with glowing streaks of highway traffic winding through the foreground and tall skyscrapers lit against a colorful sky of orange, pink, and blue clouds.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City says portions of its Women & Minority Business Enterprise program have been suspended

The news came to light at the latest CRA meeting.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 15, 2025September 15, 2025

Rendering of a waterfront walkway beneath a highway overpass, with people walking, jogging, and relaxing along the path. The walkway has railings overlooking the water, with trees, grass, and a small playground visible in the background. A bridge extends over the river in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City Council to vote on $10M for West Riverwalk project

While this was approved eight months ago, it appears another vote is in order.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

An aerial night shot showcases the illuminated Tampa Bay skyline. The city lights twinkle, with several prominent skyscrapers standing tall, their windows glowing. A bridge over a body of water is brightly lit, and the streaks of car lights are visible, indicating movement. The water below reflects some of the city's radiance. In the background, the vast urban sprawl extends, with a myriad of lights dotting the landscape under a dark night sky.

Columns

Tampa Monitor: Council elects to discuss future land use plan even more in February

Other cans were kicked down the road, too.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 2, 2025September 4, 2025

A dark grey, rectangular solar panel is mounted on top of a black pole, angled upwards towards the sky. Attached to the pole beneath the solar panel is a black device, possibly a camera or sensor. In the background, there's a dense scattering of green leaves and bare tree branches, suggesting a wooded or natural outdoor setting with the sunlight filtering through the foliage. To the right of the image, a light-colored wooden post is partially visible.

Columns

Tampa Monitor: Council to discuss TPD use of license plate readers once connected with ICE and border patrol

$10 million for TPD’s ‘First Responder Drone’ program is up for approval, too.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 2, 2025September 4, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City council will take a step, but not the final one, towards adopting new comprehensive land use plan

Councilmembers will also vote to approve the mayor’s proposed budget on Sept. 3.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor August 26, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City council appears poised to approve mayor’s FY26 budget on first reading

If there is a last-minute change, council has Oct. 1 to approve the budget.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor August 18, 2025August 30, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Demolition of Borrell Park pavilion underscores bigger problems

The parks department is underfunded, and there aren’t enough places for unhoused people to go.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor August 18, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Naya Young’s knowledge of CBAs was the highlight of the HCDBC candidate forum

Young’s energy and general command of the room was obvious.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor August 18, 2025September 1, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: In first 2025 budget workshop, city council and mayor’s staff discuss $30 million increase in salaries, more

There’s also a total of $41 million earmarked for paving in FY26.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor August 8, 2025August 20, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City council to consider a bandshell at Perry Harvey Sr. Park, money for Sulphur Springs pool restoration, and more

Stormwater, green spine extension and Tampa Fire Rescue budget adjustments on tap, too.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor August 5, 2025August 14, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Council adds third budget workshop so the public can dig deeper on the issues

Jackson House, Kiley Gardens and the racial reconciliation committee were also discussed.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor August 4, 2025August 16, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City council might decide on a resolution for Jackson House this week

The gist is that the surrounding property owner will a cede 10-foot strip of land on either side of the building in exchange for either $1.2 million or vacation of certain rights of way.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor July 29, 2025August 18, 2025

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Councilmembers to work on CRA funding for UrbanWorx and the Sanchez Y Haya project

It’s fitting the CRA Director will be presenting the Fiscal Year 2026 budget while the board figures out how to fund in the current fiscal year two $5 million projects.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor July 21, 2025August 5, 2025