Follow the Votes. Follow the Money.
Josh Wostal often says he is a strong voice for Hillsborough County residents.
He recently reminded everyone that he received far more votes in his countywide election than Tampa’s mayor or at-large City Council members did in their city elections. The comparison ignored the rather basic fact that Wostal ran countywide in a November general election, while Tampa officials ran in city-only elections with fewer voters. Still, Wostal seemed quite pleased with the size of his support.
That’s why it’s worth taking a closer look at his land-use record.
Some of those county voters have shown up at commission meetings to ask commissioners not to approve more development in their neighborhoods.
You know. Constituents.
Consider the proposed Homes by WestBay development near Dorman Road and Lithia Pinecrest Road. The proposal called for up to 280 homes on roughly 190 acres of former rural agricultural land. At the June 2026 hearing, 43 people signed up to speak, and the overwhelming majority opposed the proposal. Residents raised concerns about traffic, emergency response, overcrowded schools, and the loss of rural land. The Planning Commission found the amendments inconsistent with the comprehensive plan.
Wostal voted to move the project forward.
His explanation was straightforward. Growth was coming, and he called the proposal “one of the lowest-scale density asks you could hope for.” Residents, he said, needed to be willing to accept that.
Apparently the countywide mandate comes with some fine print.
The residents came back in August. More than 70 people signed up to speak, with the vast majority opposing the Dorman Road proposals. They again raised concerns about traffic, emergency services, school capacity, and infrastructure. The commission approved the amendments and rezoning 5-2. Wostal voted yes again.
Now follow the money.
Wostal’s political committee, Friends of Joshua Wostal, has received $7,000 from HBWB Development Services LLC, $2,083.75 from Homes by WestBay LLC, and $5,000 from land-use attorney Kamala Corbett. Corbett represented Homes by WestBay in the Lithia proceedings. HBWB Development Services does business as Homes by WestBay.
That adds up to more than $14,000 from the builder and an attorney closely involved in its land-use work.Campaign contributions don’t explain why Wostal voted for the project. They simply show that these development interests have given money to his political operation.
WestBay is not the only one.
Friends of Joshua Wostal has also received $10,000 from Ripa & Associates, identified as a construction company; $5,000 from Neal Land & Neighborhoods, identified as real estate; and $2,500 from the Tampa Bay Builders Association Political Committee.
Wostal’s voting record goes beyond these cases.
In May 2023, WOS Properties sought a major modification for property in Seffner-Mango. The Zoning Hearing Master recommended denial. Development Services called the request not supportable. The Planning Commission found it inconsistent with the comprehensive plan.
The commission approved it 4-3. Wostal voted yes.
In January 2024, AMQ International sought a planned-development rezoning in Thonotosassa. Again, the Zoning Hearing Master recommended denial. Development Services said it was not supportable. The Planning Commission found it inconsistent with the plan.
It passed. Wostal supported it.
In September 2024, the board considered a rezoning at 12712 Boyette Road. The applicant was Todd Pressman. The Zoning Hearing Master recommended denial. Development Services said it was not supportable. The Planning Commission found it inconsistent.
The commission approved it. Wostal voted for it.
February 2025 brought another Pressman application, this one at Hurley Road and Bloomingdale Avenue.
Zoning Hearing Master: denial.
Development Services: not supportable.
Planning Commission: inconsistent.
Commissioner Wostal: yes.
In May 2025, NRG Investments sought to rezone property on Orange Street. The hearing master and Development Services supported it, while the Planning Commission found it inconsistent with the comprehensive plan. Wostal supported approval.
Then came the November 2025 Affordable Leasing Services case on Lambright Street.
This case is clear because Wostal’s position is obvious. The Zoning Hearing Master recommended denial. Development Services found the proposal not approvable. The Planning Commission found it inconsistent with the plan.
Wostal moved to approve it. The board did.
In March 2026, another rezoning at 1604 Lithia Pinecrest Road reached the commission. The hearing master recommended denial, and the Planning Commission found the proposal inconsistent with the plan.
Approved. Wostal supported it.
Another case shows campaign money and development records coming unusually close.
Businesses connected to Stephen Dibbs appear among Wostal’s campaign contributors. Hillsborough campaign records show a $1,000 contribution from St. Stephens International at 5277 Ehrlich Road, an address associated with Dibbs-related companies. Florida corporate records identify Stephen Dibbs as the registered agent and authorized member of another company at that same address, FACSAC LLC.
In March 2026, Dibbs sought comprehensive-plan changes involving more than 300 acres in northern Hillsborough County. The proposal could have allowed hundreds of homes or RV spaces along with more than 100,000 square feet of commercial development.
Two days before the commission took up the issue, the county’s official lobbyist log shows Todd Pressman met with Wostal about two comprehensive-plan amendments while representing Stephen Dibbs. Pressman also met with other commissioners, so the lobbying meeting was not unusual. It’s just part of the public record.
When commissioners considered the proposed Urban Service Area expansion, Wostal voted against the motion to deny it. The denial passed 4-3.
None of this proves that a contribution led to a vote. That would need evidence we don’t have, and campaign contributions alone don’t show that. But the public record does show something worth looking at.
Developers, builders, construction companies, real estate interests, and land-use professionals have given a lot of money to Josh Wostal. On the County Commission, he has often voted to approve development and zoning requests, even in several cases where planning officials recommended denial or found the proposal inconsistent with the comprehensive plan, or both.
And sometimes the people standing on the other side of those votes are the same Hillsborough County residents Wostal likes to remind everyone he represents.
Funny how important all those countywide voters seem when you are counting ballots.
They apparently become a little less impressive when they show up at the podium.
Sources
Infographic AI Generated
Bay Bugle, coverage of Josh Wostal’s comments about Tampa representation and vote totals
OpenPublica, Hillsborough County BOCC meeting record, June 11, 2026
FOX 13 Tampa Bay, coverage of the proposed Homes by WestBay development in Lithia
OpenPublica, Hillsborough County BOCC meeting record, August 13, 2026
Transparency USA, Friends of Joshua Wostal contributor records
Transparency USA, Friends of Joshua Wostal contribution records
Hillsborough County Legistar, May 9, 2023 land-use meeting and WOS Properties major modification
Hillsborough County Legistar, January 9, 2024 AMQ International planned-development rezoning
Hillsborough County Legistar, September 10, 2024 Boyette Road rezoning
Hillsborough County Legistar, February 11, 2025 Hurley Road / Bloomingdale Avenue rezoning
Hillsborough County Legistar, May 13, 2025 NRG Investments rezoning
Hillsborough County Legistar, November 2025 Affordable Leasing Services / Lambright Street rezoning
Hillsborough County Legistar, March 10, 2026 Lithia Pinecrest Road rezoning
Hillsborough County campaign finance records, Friends of Joshua Wostal contributions from St. Stephens International and related entities
Florida Division of Corporations, Sunbiz records for Stephen Dibbs-related business entities.
Public reporting on the Stephen Dibbs comprehensive-plan amendment and proposed development
Hillsborough County, 2026 First Quarter Lobbyist Activity Report
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, BOCC voting records for the Stephen Dibbs comprehensive-plan amendment
