The City Council’s first order of business on July 16, 2018 was to appoint a new council member for seat 5, left vacant by Natalie Kahler’s resignation in order to run for county commissioner.
The council voted 4-0 to appoint Brooksville resident and former employee of the Hernando County Planning Department, Brent Young. Prior to the meeting, the council received one other letter from John Basarab, a Brooksville business owner. Since only two candidates were to be considered, a three-minute presentation from each and question and answer session was held by the members of the City Council before the voting began.
John Basarab, a former technology teacher at Nature Coast Technical High School fell in love with Brooksville after moving from Seattle ten years ago. “I like knowing my mailman,” Basarab said, before he spoke about educating himself on issues that he might vote on that evening.
Brent Young, a lifelong Hernando County resident, formerly worked with the Hernando County planning department, as well as several other county departments due to demands for his skills in creating GIS (Geographic Information Systems) maps. Young spoke about several instances where his skills saved money, and added, “That’s what I’m good at … saving people money.”
Young is currently employed with a company owned by Pike Engineering. Council Member Joe Bernardini reminded Young that if he were chosen for Seat 5, that he would be unable to be employed by the City of Brooksville for one year after his appointment ends. Young assured Bernardini and the council that this was not of concern, as he has no plans to leave his current employer.
Young’s wife is the current City and Finance Manager for Bushnell in Sumter County. Young credits his wife with the inspiration to run for the city council seat.
The council members remarked that both were high-quality candidates. Young was given the Oath of Office and sworn in by Judge Kurt Hitzemann.
Later in the meeting, council recognized Natalie Kahler for her service to the city.
Council Member Joe Bernardini remarked that it was an “honor and a privilege” to read the resolution that recognized Natalie Kahler’s three years serving the city of Brooksville.
Kahler began her tenure as a city council member in 2014, and Mayor during 2015-2016. She recently resigned her city council seat to run for County Commission District 4.
The seat 5 term expires December of 2018. Frankie Burnett and Pat Brayton, both with extensive experience as former city council members, have qualified to run for seat 5 in the November general election.
