The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) hoped to fund several Capital Improvement Projects with a one-cent sales surtax, but the referendum was voted down by 52.2 percent of voters during the November 5th General Election.
At the regular meeting on January 14, 2025, County Administrator Jeff Rogers presented the projects that still need funding in the absence of the tax-generated revenue and alternatives to funding roadway improvements, economic development and jail improvements. The presentation led to discussions of priorities, funding options and direction for Rogers. No votes were held.
When considering funding options, Rogers advised the Board that if a referendum is considered for the 2026 Election, the process of putting it on the ballot should begin no later than April so public discussion can be held and an ordinance enacted.
Rogers also presented the option of a Community Investment MSTU (Municipal Benefits Taxing Unit) to fund infrastructure projects selected by the BOCC. These potential revenues are not expected to fund all necessary projects but would allow funding of high-priority projects while only increasing taxes on the area that is part of the MSTU. The MSTU millage would be adjusted annually based on the County’s debt repayment terms.
If the Board decides to approve an MSTU for unincorporated parts of the county, it would need to be created before January 1, 2026. If the MSTU includes the City of Brooksville, it would need to be created before July 1, 2025.
Roadways Impact Fees, Gas Taxes, and the Transportation Trust Fund are used for roadway improvements, but the revenues from these funds will not cover the $236,390,000 total bill for all the planned projects. Commissioner Brian Hawkins reported gas tax revenue as $13-14 million annually.
Topping the prioritized list is the widening of County Line Road, which is expected to cost $75,000,000. The County will share costs with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Pasco County to widen the roadway from Mariner Boulevard to the Suncoast Parkway. FDOT will cover 50 percent of the cost, with Hernando paying 25 percent and Pasco paying the remaining 25 percent.
All other roads would not receive funding from FDOT and rely on Impact Fees and Gas Taxes.
Rogers reported that plans for intersection improvements to Barclay Road and Cortez Boulevard / Highway 50 will be moving forward in 2025 using Impact Fees and Gas Taxes. Funding is not currently available for the widening of Barclay. The total cost for Barclay Widening is listed as $32,600,000 in the presentation document. There was not a specific cost listed for the Barclay/Cortez intersection improvements.
Anderson Snow widening ($20.6 million) has completed the bidding phase, and the project is expected to be awarded near the end of the year.
Improvements for the Ayers Road / Culbreath Road / Hayman Road intersection are currently in the design phase. Rogers reported that $3,150,000 is not currently available to acquire the surrounding property and build the intended roundabout at the intersection. Commissioner John Allocco considers the intersection a “life and safety issue” and a priority.
Allocco selected Cortez Oaks Boulevard signal relocation as a high priority. The traffic signal, currently located in front of Oak Hill Hospital, will be moved to Cortez Oaks and 50. This area is expected to see growth in residential development, and the revenues from impact fees could nearly or completely pay for the project, estimated to cost $5 million. Allocco considers the roadway another “life and safety issue,” as it would provide an alternate north-south corridor to access 50.
Commissioner Brian Hawkins suggested creating Planned Development Districts (PDD) based on growth potential in the County. Hawkins stated that the county receives an additional 5 percent of incoming revenues from impact fees for PDDs. A Planned Development District is a zoning designation that allows for more flexibility when compared to standard zoning. It enables developers to create communities that mix densities and land use by creating a master plan for the community that the county must approve. There are already 8 PDDs listed in Hernando County Ordinance No. 2021-04.
All of the commissioners agree on the roadway priorities. The five Republican members seek to keep up with the county’s growth while keeping taxes low. Commissioner Jerry Campbell eagerly awaits the 2025 budget cycle, promising to closely look for where spending can be cut. “I refuse business as usual. I refuse not to go line-item by line item … let’s talk about where we’re cutting, what we’re funding and what we’re not funding.”
Campbell also said that an anonymous survey is currently being distributed to county employees, requesting suggestions to cut wasteful spending.
With difficult choices in funding competing with future needs, Rogers advised, “The decisions you make today don’t really affect the quality of life today; it affects the quality of life years from now because the County doesn’t get things done overnight; it’s three or five years from now, and you have to plan for the future growth in the County.”
Other road projects that were not discussed during the meeting were: Sunshine Grove Road 4-Laning from Ken Austin Parkway to Hexam Road ($17,340,000), Kettering Road / SR-50 to Power Line road ($33,700,000), Airport Roadway Improvements (Baker Study) ($20,000,000),
Lockhart Road from SR-50 to Dashbach ($23,000,000), and Improving Pickup/Drop-off Lanes for Schools ($6,000,000).
This article will continue next week.
