On March 30, 2023, an Interlocal Meeting was held between the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the Brooksville City Council, and the Hernando County School District (HCSD). The three agencies met to discuss topics affecting each and the path forward to resolutions. No votes were taken during the meeting. However, the consensus was reached to revise an existing Interlocal Agreement (ILA) governing school concurrency and to develop another agreement for the sharing of HCSD facilities with the county and city.
The three entities agreed to meet in the near future on the sharing of school facilities, primarily athletic fields. In the draft agreement, the City of Brooksville is not named. Council member Christa Tanner requested that the City be included in the final draft for consideration. There was no opposition to the request.
The officials were also focused on the revision of a February 2009 ILA, which governs school facility planning and concurrency. James Lipsey, Manager of Planning, Design & Construction for the school district, presented his findings and recommendations for an updated agreement. The 13-year-old agreement has not kept pace with State statutes, and some parts contain repetitive language or reference rules that no longer exist.
The ILA facilitates collaborative school planning, allowing for the coordination of school available capacity, planning, and capital improvements. Lipsey said that there is also an opportunity to streamline the collaborative planning process among the school district, County, and City.
Lipsey suggested to officials the formation of a working group consisting of the school board staff together with the County and City to “do the sausage making.” That working group would then make recommendations to delegates from each of the entities.
One of the more arduous efforts the school board faces is school siting, or where actually to build new schools. Lipsey identified this area as one that could also be streamlined.
Also up for discussion is the clarification of the administration of impact fees in the new ILA. No dates were announced for the ongoing discussions that will take place before the final drafts and opening of public comments. No public comment was offered during this meeting.
