Lisa MacNeil

The fire assessment fee is a “non-ad valorem special assessment.” There are two tiers. Tier 1, for developed properties, is based on a fraction of improved value and tier 2 is assessed a flat rate ( for vacant parcels). The fire assessment fees have been increasing steadily since they were implemented in 2012. FY 2016 fire assessment for tier 1 properties was $.80 per $1000 of improvement value and $100 per parcel for tier 2 properties. FY 2017 approved fire assessments for tier 1 was $.85 per $1000 of improved value and $125 per parcel for Tier 2.

Just like any other reunion, the alumni of Moton High School stopped at the front table to check in, collect their name badges, and take in the surroundings where they spent a good portion of their youth.  

Unlike other high school reunions, Moton’s alumni have a special story.

Moton High School was the only African-American high school in Hernando County, located at 835 School Street in Brooksville.

At the June 26, 2018 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regular meeting, Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the red route of TheBus.  According to Assistant County Administrator Ron Pianta, the red route has been having difficulties meeting its time points even after a slight modification in 2017.  The change is expected to save taxpayers money, as well as improve the timeliness of the service.

At the regular Brooksville City Council Meeting on June 18, 2018, after several months of discussion over the fate of Brooksville Fire Rescue, the Brooksville City Council voted 4-1 to keep the department in Brooksville, rather than pursue an Interlocal Agreement with Hernando County Fire-Rescue (HCFR).  The motion to approve was made by Vice Mayor Robert Battista, who said, “I’m not going to vote for it, but I’ll make the motion to start the vote.”   Mayor Betty Erhard seconded the motion to approve the Interlocal Agreement, but later rescinded after additional discussion and citizen’s com

County commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA), CPAM 1702 that will allow the Cemex Corporation to expand mining operations.  At the regular Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on June 12, 2018, concerned citizens again filled the chamber to protest the plan.  Employees of Cemex were also in attendance, however none spoke to the commissioners.

Nine officers of the former Brooksville Police Department (BPD) were sworn in as Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies on June 1, 2018.   

A workshop was held on June 5, 2018 for the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to consider the development of a Reclaimed Water Master Plan (RWMP) and hear updates on the status of the Septic to Sewer (S2S) project.  Three members of the board decided to have staff review and revise the RWMP and not support the S2S project due to high cost and uncertain funding.  Commissioner Jeff Holcomb was not present at the meeting.

On May 8, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) acting in its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) capacity, discussed updates to the Kass Circle Community Redevelopment Area plan. Senior Planner Michelle Miller began the presentation with the history and progression of the project.  The grant-funded study of the neighborhood began in 2014, and in 2016, a Finding of Necessity was completed, and a resolution was adopted by the BOCC in 2016.  The CRA was formed during this time.

The Weeki Wachee River has been a frequent subject of discussion in recent years, primarily due to its popularity.  The number of people visiting the river, usually on watercraft has raised concerns of safety, damage to the riverbanks, litter, and harm to wildlife.

Based on these discussions, a Carrying Capacity Study agreement was signed between Hernando County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD),  each paying $125,000 to conduct the study, which is to begin on June 1, 2018 and conclude in December 2019.  

A faint outline of where the ‘Brooksville Police’ lettering was once boldly fixed is visible on the outside of the city department’s former headquarters.  June 1, 2018: the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office will now oversee law enforcement within the city of Brooksville and several former Brooksville Police Officers will be sworn in to serve as Sheriff’s Deputies.