The creation of Tampa Bay Water was guided by the “Group of 18,” a policy panel comprised of the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority’s Board of Directors, city or county administrator and the utility director for each of the six Authority member governments (Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey). The panel of members included:
Commissioner Ed Turanchik
Daniel Kleman, County Administrator
Mike McWeeny, Utility Director
Commissioner Steve Seibert
Fred Marquis, County Administrator
Pick Talley, Utility Director
Commissioner Ed Collins
John Gallagher, County Administrator
Doug Bramlett, Assistant County Administrator
Mayor David Fischer
William Johnson, Utility Director
Mike Davis, City Attorney
Board member, R. Michael Salmon
Sam Halter, City Administrator
Dave Tippin, Director
Councilman Frank Parker
Gerald Seeber, City Administrator
Tom O'Neill, Utility Director
Other notable key players included Sen. Jack Latvala, Rep. Carl Littlefield and Rep. Sandy Safley, who sponsored the bill (CS/HB 4027) facilitating Governance.
