State Rep Withdraws Bill to Regulate The Regent

Just before it was scheduled to be heard by the Bay Area Legislative Delegation Sept. 27, state Rep. Rachel Burgin, R-Riverview, decided to withdraw a proposed bill intended to regulate The Regent community center in Riverview.

Burgin drafted the proposed legislation last month following criticism about how The Regent was being used and the way it was being operated by the Brandon Community Advantage Center Board of Directors. The bill, said Burgin, was intended to resolve the controversy surrounding The Regent, which opened in January. State Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, agreed to co-sponsor the bill.

A 30,000-square-foot facility, the $6.5 million community center was constructed with county, state and federal funds.

Critics have slammed the BCAC board, which oversaw the facility's construction, for including pricey architectural details, such as a marble staircase and columns, and giving preference to weddings and private parties instead of the community events it was intended to accommodate.

In an agreement hammered out last December, The Regent was sold to Hillsborough Community College for $750,000. HCC also agreed to pay for the building's exterior maintenance and operate six classrooms inside The Regent. In turn, the BCAC has a 20-year lease to operate, rent, maintain and manage The Regent's ballroom and downstairs community room. The BCAC also pays the utility bill.

Burgin said she discussed the provisions of her proposed bill with several community activists and leaders, and included their suggestions in her legislation.

However, Burgin said she changed her mind about going forward with the bill after the Hillsborough County Commission agreed Sept. 22 to form a task force to resolve issues of concern with The Regent. The task force is expected to be composed of Hillsborough County commissioners and staff, Hillsborough Community College officials, and Brandon Community Advantage Center board members, with input from Burgin and other community leaders. 

“I ultimately think it is best to leave the responsibility of solving the Brandon Community Advantage Center issues to those within our community," said Burgin in a press release. "However, if I don’t see noticeable results and a sincere desire to solve the current issues within the BCAC, then I will gladly re-file my legislation and pursue a resolution at the state level.  My constituents need a place to hold community events, and I refuse to let them wait any longer."

However, Burgin has insisted that the provisions of her withdrawn bill be addressed by the task force in some manner. Those provisions include:

• Creating a concrete mission that focuses on the community.
• Clarifying the legislative intent for transparency and efficiency in the current organizational structure.
• Creating a structure by which the board of directors shall be appointed.
• Creating a structure for receipt and expense of rental revenues of the state-owned facility.
• Requiring BCAC meetings to be held in the “Sunshine” and noticed to the public appropriately. 

The Regent lies within Disctrict 56, which Burgin was elected to serve in 2008.