Hillsborough County's communications director was updating commissioners Wednesday on her office's planned redesign of the government's web site when Commissioner Victor Crist suggested a modification: Accepting ads from private businesses.

"We might not only get this paid for, but we could make money off of it," Crist said.

Lori Hudson, the communications director, said she'd look into it. But she said the county has"tread lightly" on that idea in the past -- for instance, on the county's television station broadcasts -- out of concern that it might appear that the county is endorsing a particular business or product.

The web site, which will give the public greater access to information about the county, is expected to go live toward the end of March.