Lisa MacNeil

A recent surprise shortfall in the county’s budget was the impetus for the workshop that was held on May 1, 2018. The board voted unanimously to end the Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU)* for the fire department, while keeping the Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU).  EMS will be funded by money borrowed from other internal funds and the exploration of a half-cent sales tax to bolster the General Fund will take place in another meeting on May 22, 2018.

At the April 24, 2018 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting,  Hernando County Animal Services Manager James Terry proposed a “Trap Neuter Vaccinate Return (TNVR)” program for homeless and “community cats” in Hernando County.  The program is designed to control the population growth of cats, which will ultimately cuts costs for veterinary care of cats taken to shelters and reduce cases of euthanasia.  The BOCC voted unanimously to move forward with the plan, placing it on future agendas to consider ordinance changes.

On August 22, 2017, Parks and Recreation Manager Harry Johnson sought approval for a concession contract for Guest Services Inc., known, and doing business as Boating in Florida.  At that time, Johnson did not mention that an existing contract already allowed Flohana, LLC to pick up kayaks at Rogers Park. Flohana’s existing contract was not voted on or signed by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and expires on September 30, 2018.  A county-wide memo was issued by Attorney Garth Coller to immediately prohibit the practice going forward.

County Commissioner Nick Nicholson was absent from the April 24, 2018 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regular meeting.  He was arrested on April 19, 2018 on counts relating to owning, maintaining or operating an establishment of prostitution and “purchasing the services of any person engaged in prostitution.”  Nicholson has not yet given a statement, and has not resigned.

At the April 10, 2018 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, Hernando County  Engineer Scott Herring advised the board that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has accelerated construction of the roundabout at US Hwy 98 and Citrus Way (CR 491) due to the accident history at that location. FDOT came to the Department of Public Works with a proposal to include landscaping as part of the construction, with the understanding that Hernando County be in charge of maintenance.

Last January, Coney Island Drive Inn owner John Lee rallied several local businesses to establish The Brooksville Blueberry Festival.   Following the departure of the Florida Blueberry Festival, Lee was confident that he and members of the community could build a new festival, that he describes as, “very different (from the previous years), with a more Brooksville feel.”    Lee and his crew were able to raise $36,000 from Hernando County donors alone. Lee’s vision for the new festival has taken shape, and its debut will be held on the weekend of April 28 - 29, 2018.

The comprehensive plan amendment for the 450 acre Spring Center development was discussed again at the regular Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on April 10, 2018.  Assistant County Administrator Ron Pianta opened the discussion, reminding the board and those in attendance that the purpose of the discussion was for the board to consider the amendment, the background information, and to determine whether or not to transmit the amendment to the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity.   The board unanimously voted to transmit the amendment.

On Friday, April 6, 2018, Congressman Daniel Webster spoke about recent legislative changes following lunch at the Southern Hills Plantation clubhouse.  The Hernando County Chamber of Commerce event was sponsored by the Suncoast CPA Group, and attended by area business leaders and residents. Webster provided updates regarding tax reform, infrastructure and the Middle East.

 During the March 19, 2018 City Council meeting, developers and attorneys for Southern Hills Plantation avoided a building moratorium order due to a lack of sufficient water pressure/fire flow for phase 3 of the Southern Hills development.  Following this meeting, an amended development agreement was drafted to correct the problem and the first public hearing was held on April 2, 2018.