All voters in the county vote for candidates from a single district.
Each candidate was given the opportunity to provide a 150-word bio and respond to our questions within 700 words.
Burton Melaugh (NPA)
BIO:
Originally from Manhattan, moved to Florida in 1978, moved to Hernando County in 2008. I am a Marine Corps Desert Storm Veteran. I am a local business owner: my wife and I opened Betty Marie’s Catering in 2012. Community service is our way of life: we have volunteered constantly for numerous Hernando County organizations for many years. I am a fourth-generation Hernando/Pasco resident and second-generation Florida State University graduate. I am a conservative who is resolute about government staying out of people’s lives and out of their bank accounts.
What inspired you to run for county commissioner?
Back in the early 2000s, I was exposed to the Florida Legislature and saw first-hand the prevalent lack of any honor or morals. I also witnessed the government’s constant attempts at intrusion into citizens’ lives and businesses. At that time, I resolved to run for office to bring a bit of decency to the process and to work towards government creating independence rather than dependence. I intend to bring the Marine Corps values of duty above self, personal accountability, and integrity to public office.
Please describe up to three county projects that are most important to the county and why.
From the County government end, we need to invest in economic infrastructure to attract more industry. With County and Hernando non-profits working together, we need homeless shelters. From the non-profit end, we need more mental health assistance in the form of respite stabilization centers where folks can go to prevent crisis situations. I will work diligently to assist Hernando charities with earning grants.
Do you see any areas where the county needs to increase funding? How could this be paid for?
I am adamant that the offices of Hernando Economic Development and Veteran’s Affairs receive increased funding, as this is an investment, not a cost. Economic development will bring living wage jobs and much-needed industrial property tax money. The higher income that citizens have, the more they will invest in the local economy. Veterans Affairs has achieved millions of dollars for the people they help, most of which is undoubtedly spent in Hernando.
Do you see any areas where funding/the budget can be cut?
I’ve visited with all County department heads and attended County budget meetings, and all departments and funding are streamlined. We have an efficient local government.
In hindsight, is there anything you would change about how the county handled the recent ransomware attack? What measures would you like to see enacted to help prevent future attacks?
Clearly, there should have been basic and strong security prevention, which my IT friends have said was not adequate. I’m sure this has been addressed with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. To prevent future attacks, and in light of the government growth due to population, we should visit the idea of a county IT head of operations.
Describe your position on the county’s efforts to increase revenues through the one-cent sales tax. Do you feel future boards will respect the promise to rely less on property taxes if the one-cent sales tax is passed?
My position is that this is to be determined by the people, and I am here to serve their will. Constituents are not in favor of the 30-year term length, nor do they trust government to be responsible with the money. I suggest that the county commission revisit the idea but with four-year or eight-year terms. This will force the government to continually earn citizens’ trust for the sales tax to continue. If the people still are not in favor, then we will make do. I am a “don’t tread on me” guy, not a pro-tax guy.
John Allocco (REP)
BIO:
Commissioner John Allocco and his wife, Randi, live with their youngest child of four, Alannah, in Weeki Wachee, and much of their family lives in the county as well. He has been a licensed physical therapist since 1999 and earned a BS from the University of Florida and an MPT from the University of St. Augustine. John and his wife founded their physical therapy business with a pair of locations in Spring Hill and Hudson until they sold their practice at the end of 2022. Commissioner Allocco has served twice as a chairman and has also served in leadership roles within the Republican Party of Florida, helping to elect Donald Trump, Ron Desantis and others. Allocco is a licensed real estate agent.
What inspired you to run for county commissioner? Or why are you seeking re-election?
I am inspired by my love of Hernando County. When I completed my graduate school education and was beginning my career, I chose Hernando County. I met my wife here, we raised our 4 children here, and now we have grandchildren growing up here. I want them to all have the opportunity to have successful careers, build businesses, and raise families here too!
Please describe up to three county projects that are most important to the county and why.
The Dr. Dennis Wilfong Center for Citizens Success is a collaboration between the County, the School District, and Pasco-Hernando State College. This is designed to provide the educational experiences and skills needed for today’s technology, manufacturing, and aerospace jobs and to attract those industries to our county. This collaboration has also included our Congressman, Gus Bilirakis, in a joint effort to bring aspects of Space Florida to Hernando County. The project is a game changer for the future of Hernando County.
The upgrading and expansion of our wastewater treatment facilities doesn’t sound exciting, but this is crucial to the future of Hernando County. Water is a critical need for a healthy community. This project will provide high quality, low nitrogen water to directly recharge our aquifer ensuring we have quality water for decades to come. This upgrading and expansion is also an example of preparing for the future needs of our county.
Do you see any areas where the county needs to increase funding? How could this be paid for?
The cost to build and expand roads has become a nationwide problem due to insane levels of inflation, soaring oil prices, and labor shortages which lead to higher costs. Gas taxes which are paid by the gallon, are a flat or declining revenue source due to more efficient vehicles and reduced miles driven due to high costs. This is typically the only recurring source for building roads. Increasing impact fees to pay for roads expansion is something I have advocated for over 4 years to do, and finally was able to pass with a 4-1 vote this year. I believe this is crucial for our community.
Do you see any areas where funding/the budget can be cut?
Government is expensive. Coming from the private sector as a business owner, I believe that anytime we can provide a service through the private sector, it should be considered. Fleet vehicle management is a potential area of saving, so is facilities maintenance, and engaging the community for public/private partnerships to expand recreational opportunities throughout the county. Eliminating redundancy in government organizations is another way reduce the tax burden without reducing services. I have also advocated for the sharing of resources and potentially facilities with our School District.
In hindsight, is there anything you would change about how the county handled the recent ransomware attack? What measures would you like to see enacted to help prevent future attacks?
I.T. attacks are unfortunately not going away. Everyday our banks, credit card companies, and government entities at all levels, are fending off these attacks. Occasionally an attack is successful. I DO NOT LIKE that the communications were vague and lacked transparency, however due to the type of crime committed and the international nature of the crime, the authorities involved were unwilling to risk the investigation. As far as measures to prevent or reduce future attacks; this is one area where redundancy is favorable, increased investment in technology that unfortunately becomes outdated quickly, and reduced access to county data systems is necessary. It is also important not to lose the skills and the ability to function without technology, especially when it fails.
Describe your position on the county’s efforts to increase revenues through the one-cent sales tax. Do you feel future boards will respect the promise to rely less on property taxes if the one-cent sales tax is passed?
I dislike all forms of taxation, but personally I believe a sales tax is the fairest form. Good roads and properly trained First Responders are a benefit to everyone that lives, works, or plays in Hernando County. The benefit of a sales tax is that 20-30% is paid by tourists and visitors to our county. The revenue sources to pay for roads and first responders are currently limited to gas tax and property taxes. This provides for the broadest base while items like food, medication, personal hygiene and sanitary products, diapers, and healthcare services remain exempt. If passed, I am confident that the residents of Hernando County will hold any and all future boards accountable.
Luciano Vignali (DEM)
BIO:
As a resident of Hernando County for most of my life, my heart and roots are right here. I am a Native Floridian, I attended Hernando County public schools, graduated from Hernando High School and I am studying business administration right here in Hernando at Pasco Hernando State College. I am an HR professional, entrepreneur and a hard-working individual.
I love the outdoors and feel fortunate to live in our beautiful area, a place so rich in natural resources that need our care and protection. Cooking is another passion of mine. I am proud to have served as the Executive Chef at the Lake Placid Olympic Center and worked as a Chef at various restaurants for eight years. I met my lovely wife, Nikki, in Brooksville, and we were married in 2022. Nikki and I enjoy the many establishments and activities here in Hernando.
What inspired you to run for county commissioner?
What inspired me to run for Hernando County Commissioner is the fact that I want to give people a choice and let the people be heard. My campaign has been all grassroots; I am not supported by any PAC money, investors, realtors, or developers. I think Hernando County is tired of the amount of development that is happening everywhere and worried about our infrastructure, like the state of our roads, the amount of space we have left in our schools and the disregard for the environment with all the clear-cutting and burning of our green spaces.
Please describe up to three county projects that are most important to the county and why.
I do believe that the Airport Technical School could bring potentially good-paying jobs, if we can train and or certify individuals for NASA Standards, ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), Military Standards, or manufacturing standards such has IPC A 610 (soldering)/IPC A 620 (cabling). This will be a differentiator for Hernando County and the opportunities offered here.
Do you see any areas where the county needs to increase funding? How could this be paid for?
I am a big believer in first responders. At one point, I was a certified lifeguard, and I served on the Safety Board for the Olympic Regional Development Authority. We need to properly fund our Hernando County Fire Rescue so we can decrease the response time in areas of need across Hernando County. I would do what is required to support this need, safety and emergency medical services are vital to a growing population. I believe we could fund this by raising impact fees again next year to allow for more appropriate impact fees to be collected. We had $0 impact fees for a few years after the housing bubble burst, then they were raised, but many times they were waived and or the simple fact that they have been too low for way too long. We have missed hundreds of millions of dollars over the past twelve years in impact fees. We need to charge everyone the impact fees regardless of who they are, what they do or why they believe it should be waived. Has anyone at a federal, state, county or municipal office ever waived fees for you? No. We need accountability.
Do you see any areas where funding/the budget can be cut?
I believe we must be able to cut some funding somewhere, this upcoming years budget is nearly a billion dollars, so maybe it would have been best to wait for the costs to level out before jumping full steam into a bunch of new projects, like for the new detention center and or training facility. The county needs to exercise patience and to be more diverse when choosing contractors to do jobs. I see the same contractors around town doing most of the jobs out for bid and if they cannot give us a good quote, send it for a rebid and stay diligent for the pocketbooks of the Hernando County residents. It is like going into Publix when you know you should be saving money but somehow still avoid all the two-for-one deals.
In hindsight, is there anything you would change about how the county handled the recent ransomware attack? What measures would you like to see enacted to help prevent future attacks?
With the recent ransomware attacks, I would have been more transparent about it and let the public know how or why this happened. People were left in the dark about this and they came to their own conclusions, which in most cases were not good for building trust within our county. People want the truth and nothing but the truth, and that is what I will provide- the good, the bad and the ugly.
Describe your position on the county’s efforts to increase revenues through the one-cent sales tax. Do you feel future boards will respect the promise to rely less on property taxes if the one-cent sales tax is passed?
So, I am not for the consumption tax, and it is a one percent tax, not one penny. It makes me nervous to provide more taxpayer money to an already struggling middle class. Forty-nine percent of Hernando County is A.L.I.C.E. (Asset Limited Income Constricted Employed), and or the working poor- they do not need more tax liability added to their lives. Also, with the county making obscene increases to salaries like giving the County Administrator a $50,000 raise, no disrespect but as an HR professional, with a request like that, I would have blatantly said, “So, is this your notice?” When we claim we do not have any money to check for majestic trees when clearing land or having gopher tortoises removed properly, why are we spending money so frivolously? We need to do better and keep costs down for our residents, they say that 30% of this revenue, which I think is a stretch, will be generated by tourists, but the other 70% will be on our residents.
