Floridians can buy energy-saving appliances for the next three days without paying sales taxes.

The Florida Legislature approved the sales tax holiday earlier this year. The tax holiday starts at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, and runs through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014.

The tax break is limited to a single purchase for each item that costs $500 or more. There is no limit for items under $500.

Qualifying Energy Star Products

• Air purifier
• Ceiling fan
• Clothes dryer
• Clothes washer
• Dehumidifier
• Dishwasher
• Freezer
• Light bulbs (packages)
• Refrigerator
• Room air conditioner
• Swimming pool pump
• Water heater

NOTE: An Energy Star item must be designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy as meeting or exceeding the requirements under the Energy Star Program. An Energy Star label must be affixed to the product.

Qualifying WaterSense Products

• Bathroom sink faucet
• Faucet accessory
• High-efficiency toilet or urinal
• Showerhead
• Weather or sensor-based irrigation controlle

NOTE: A WaterSense item must be recognized as water efficient by the WaterSense Program sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. A WaterSense label must be affixed to the product.

This holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of these items.

For additional information, please view the complete list of qualifying items.

There will be no residential garbage or recycling collection service on Labor Day, Monday, September 1st.  Regular service will resume on our next scheduled collection day.

• Garbage Pick up: Monday & Thursday
• Recycling Pick up: Monday
• Yard Waste Pick up: Thursday

Other Important Reminders:

• Three-Foot Rule – At the curb, place the carts at least 3 feet away from other carts, mailboxes, cars, trees, shrubs, fire hydrants and utility poles.
• Everything Must Fit Inside The Carts – Items left outside the carts cannot be picked up by the mechanical arm on a collection vehicle and will not be picked up.
• Garbage, recyclables, and yard waste should be placed out no later than 6:00 AM on  collection days.  Containers are required to be kept out of sight on non-collection days.

For additional information please visit our Garbage & Recycling page.

Covington Estates Neighborhood Watch is a partnership between Covington Estates residents and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to improve safety and prevent crime in our community.

Neighborhood Watch seeks to positively promote safety in Covington Estates through the building of a network of neighbors for the reporting and notification of suspicious activities, and to promote safety education and awareness to ensure the positive lifestyle that living in Covington Estates affords.

We are Looking for a Volunteer

We are seeking a responsible, civic-minded individual to serve as the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator. You will simply be the person who promotes participation in Covington Estates, distributes information, and coordinates activities as needed. Interested? Contact the Covington Estates Board of Directors at hoa@covingtonestateshoa.com.

For additional information, please visit our Neighborhood Watch page.

Hillsborough County complies with water restrictions set by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The restrictions are for a variety of outdoor water uses, including lawn irrigation, pressure washing, car washing, decorative fountains, and others. These restrictions are in effect year-round.  Current water restrictions have been updated as of August 1, 2014.

Irrigation on designated days must be completed between midnight and 8 a.m. or between 6 p.m. and midnight.

For more information please visit our Water Restrictions page.

Watering Days

With the Fourth of July weekend approaching and summer in full swing, Hillsborough County urges residents to be safe while lighting or watching fireworks, at a cookout, and dealing with those pesky mosquitoes.

Below are a few tips to follow and precautions to protect yourself, your family, your home.

Fireworks Safety

• Fireworks should only be used outdoors.
• Parents should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
• Children should not pick up spent fireworks, as the fireworks may still be active.
• Leave pets at home and indoors during festive fireworks celebrations.
• Know your fireworks; read the caution label before igniting, and light only one firework at a time.
• Wear safety glasses whenever using fireworks, and keep a bucket of water nearby.
• Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor, fire-resistant garbage can away from buildings and flammable materials. Continue reading →