Commissioners and department leaders discussed at length the prudence of purchasing properties to alleviate space constraints, versus halting all expansion in an effort to rein in government spending in a political climate where the latter may be more favorable to taxpayers.
Commissioners Steve Champion and Jerry Campbell remarked that the three requests for property acquisitions appearing on the March 25 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) agenda were unusual. Champion, who has been vocal about the expansion of government in general, opposed each purchase.
The three property purchases were deemed necessary due to space issues reported by the Public Works Department (DPW), the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the Waterways department. All three purchases were approved.
Additional vehicle parking space for TheBus after Service Expansion
Approved 4-1, Champion opposed.
Director of Public Works Scott Herring reported that increases in transportation services have resulted in the need to securely store more vans and buses. TheBus has incorporated two new routes, plus a new micro-transit route, covering a 5-mile radius from the downtown center.
The additional vehicles need a total of 30 spaces for bus and paratransit parking. There is currently room for 16 vehicles in the current location at 700 Aeriform Drive. The additional properties directly to the south will provide secure storage.
The $230,000 (plus closing costs) purchase of the two adjacent properties on Aeriform will be funded by the ninth-cent local option fuel tax, which is a one-cent tax per gallon of fuel purchased in the county. This tax is specifically for funding public transportation, operations, and maintenance.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Expansion
Approved 3-2, Champion and Amsler opposed.
HCSO reports they are out of space at 18900 Cortez Boulevard, and will purchase three parcels to the north for $2 million. Sheriff Al Nienhuis came to the board with several photos showing cramped offices with temporary file and evidence storage.
The board again discussed the challenge of buying now vs. later, facing increased costs, and the consideration of whether or not acceptable properties would be available if the purchase was deferred.
Commissioner John Allocco was in favor of the purchase, acknowledging that HCSO’s current costs for off-site rentals for a clinic and at least one substation could be saved by bringing those facilities onto the expanded property.
“This (property) is almost 17 acres. (The current HCSO facility) was built back in the early 90s when we had 100,000 people in this county. We have more than doubled our population since it was built. We can’t deny that we’re going to have future needs, and regardless of politics, that’s just something that we know,” Allocco said.
Commissioner Jerry Campbell added that some evidence in HCSO’s custody is required to be maintained for 99 years. “We’re talking about vehicles (in evidence), with all the other items they have to keep.”
Campbell also said that the failed one-cent sales surtax that would have been used for expansion of the Sheriff’s department, “didn’t eliminate the need that we have.”
“There’s a real need,” he said. Campbell went on to add that HCSO is also leasing the former Brooksville Police Department. “If you combine that with the salaries associated, you could save about $200,000 a year.”
Campbell listed several examples of purchases that were outside of the scope of public safety that were unanimously approved in recent years. “So what has changed between then and now? If we’re going to say that public safety is number one, then we’re going to have to demonstrate that and how we conduct business here.”
Answering Campbell, Champion said, “Something has changed since all of those votes: the public said ‘no’ (on the sales surtax) … I think it sends a message to the public that if you spend this money and you do this, you’re expanding government, and you’re going against what the wishes of the people were.”
Sheriff Al Nienhuis added that having outside facilities is a weight on efficiency. “One of the things that does not add value to a product or service is travel. It’s one of seven deadly wastes in a particular business. Any time we spread out our administrative components, it adds travel … and it actually adds costs.”
Nienhuis also said that vehicles in the impound lot are legally required to be maintained in the condition in which they arrived, and the current location under a large oak tree has suffered two fallen branches, risking compliance.
Commissioner Ryan Amsler agrees the building is cramped, but has reservations about the lack of a concrete plan for the property. “I know the public wants the money spent in other places first … People really want an effort made toward body cameras. If we’re going to spend the money on this, I have an obligation to my constituents to also represent the other matter as well.”
Niehuis acknowledges the body camera issue is a ‘hot button issue,’ but considers additional deputies and obtaining leads to solve open cases as higher priorities.
“I think a lot of people think (body cameras) are a panacea, and it is certainly not a panacea. It is very expensive … One thing I don’t want to do is get body cameras at the expense of (hiring) more deputies in the future.”
Amsler said, “I can’t vote for this at this time. I want to see body cameras.”
Waterways Expansion for Offices and Vessel Mooring
Approved 4-1, Champion opposed.
Hernando County Commissioners voted 4-1 to purchase a Hernando Beach property to expand the Waterways department.
The property is located on 4144 Pine Dale Ct, a 2-lot parcel adjacent to the current Waterways department. This purchase will afford Waterways additional dock space, which will also be used by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Fire Rescue (HCFR) and the Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC).
County Administrator Jeff Rogers explained the need for the purchase arising from projected population growth, which in turn will require additional need for Waterways presence. “This is a decision today for the long-term betterment of the community when we add 5,000 people a year, and in ten years, 50,000 more people, you’re going to have a continued increase for waterways presence ….”
Carla Burrmann, Aquatic Services and Waterways Manager, reported that the purchase will comfortably fit the County’s six vessels, three boats and two jetskis for HCSO, and variable space for FWC. HCFR has also requested space for their boat, which has not been possible in the current space. “Acquiring this property will allow us to add additional mooring locations for those vessels.”
Allocco asked if funding from the State is possible since FWC is a state agency. Rogers answered that the County is seeking a mitigation grant from the state to relocate the existing offices to the new property, since repairs to the existing building would be costly.
Funds for this purchase are coming from Public Building Impact Fees.
Champion maintained his position on spending. “My comments are going to be the same – there is zero appetite with the community – the people – to expand government. Zero. I don’t know if you guys aren’t watching the news … but it’s not popular. And if you ask the citizens, they’re going to tell you ‘no.’”
Champion added that he would propose freezing the government later in the meeting. “… for this year – no increase (in spending), rollback rate (for millage), stop spending. The people are fed up with it, our Governor’s fed up with it … he said, ‘These local governments are out of control …’ I don’t think there’s any fraud in this county, I don’t think there’s anyone defrauding the public, but could we do better? Maybe the answer isn’t adding more and buying more.”
Though this purchase is paid by impact fees, Champion thinks the money is better spent in other areas, such as equipment, buildouts on existing structures, and parking lot repairs.
Hawkins countered that impact fees are designed to pay for government expansion. Allocco agreed and added, “This is the whole purpose of impact fees. If it turns out to be unnecessary, we’ll turn around and sell it.”
Jerry Campbell agreed with Champion’s position, but weighing the need of the department, he said, “We don’t get to sit up here and vote on what’s popular and what’s not popular … in my opinion, my job is to do what’s right for the County now and in her future.” Campbell admitted to being torn on the decision, “I went back and forth on this. It’s a tough one, because there definitely is a need.”
Burrman noted that a $3.5 million Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to rebuild the offices on the existing Waterways property was removed from a previous budget. The purchase of the additional lot will allow Waterways to use that building for offices and the existing lot as a yard for boats and equipment. “This allows us the room to be able to function correctly.”
