HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Funding to investigate and stabilize sinkholes on public land in Hillsborough County is going up, according to county leaders.
Recently, county commissioners approved more spending for a sinkhole program. The funding stood at $1.5 million, but it was recently increased to $2 million, because of a contract extension, documents show.
When the county gets a report of a sinkhole on public land-like a road or school property-a team of investigators is sent to the scene to determine if it’s simply a depression or really a sinkhole. If it is a sinkhole, it’ll be stabilized, then filled in.
Monday night, a hole opened on S. MacDill Avenue in Tampa. Officials haven’t confirmed if it’s a sinkhole.
County paperwork says the modification in funding is “due to a significant amount of sinkhole activity over the last year.” County leaders tell us that extra money is needed.
“The natural geology of Florida – there’s a lot of limestone and there’s a propensity for sinkholes in this area of Florida,” said public works director John Lyons.
The funding only covers sinkhole investigations on public land. Private homeowners must pay if a hole forms on their property and needs to be filled in, county leaders said.RECENT SINKHOLES IN THE NEWS:Sinkholes on Florida Turnpike fixedSinkhole 50 feet wide opens in front of Hudson home8 On Your Side: Woman can’t get straight answer about growing hole in backyardPasco Emergency Services declare offical sinkholeSinkhole partially swallows car outside Florida McDonald’sCrews checking on possible sinkhole off I-4
