Hernando County

Board of County Commissioners

Regular Meeting

Minutes

December 3, 2024

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in the John Law

Ayers County Commission Chambers, Government Center, Brooksville, Florida.

Attendee Name

Brian Hawkins

Jerry Campbell

John Allocco

Title

Chairman

Vice Chairman

Second Vice Chairman

Commissioner

Ryan Amsler

Steve Champion

Albert Bertram

Toni Brady

Omar DePablo

Paul Hasenmeier

Scott Herring

Commissioner

Office of Management and Budget Director

Deputy County Administrator

Development Services Director

Public Safety Director/Fire Chief

Public Works Director/County Engineer

County Attorney

Jon Jouben

Darlene Lollie

Gordon Onderdonk

Veda Ramirez

Jeffrey Rogers

Carla Rossiter-Smith

James Terry

Erin Thomas

Paige Jefferys

Heidi Kurppe

Transit Administrator

Utilities Director

Housing and Supportive Services Director

County Administrator

Chief Procurement Officer

Animal Service Manager

Division Deputy Director of Emergency Management

Deputy Clerk

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

AGENDA

Motion

To approve the Agenda with changes.

(Note: Item B-1 [Presentation by Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc., of 2024

Capital Credit Refund] was added to the Agenda.)

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Presentation by Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc., of 2024 Capital Credit

Refund

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR DAVID DECARLO

Ratification of Proclamation No. 2024-12 Seventh Extension of Declaration of State of

Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Helene and Fifth Extension of Declaration of State

of Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Milton

Ratification of Proclamation No. 2024-13 Eighth Extension of Declaration of State of

Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Helene and Sixth Extension of Declaration of State

of Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Milton

Motion

To ratify.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ryan Amsler

John Allocco

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION

Certificate of Recognition to Averie Kimelton for Heroic Actions Of Rescuing Animals

During Hurricane Milton

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis commented on various topics and issues.

CITIZENS' COMMENTS

Citizens commented on various topics and issues.

BOARD/STAFF RESPONSES

The Board and/or staff responded to questions and concerns expressed during Citizens'

Comments.

There was Board consensus to direct the staff to prepare an Agenda Item regarding the

Hernando County Ordinance for Nuisance Dog Barking, and to bring it back to the Board for

discussion at a future meeting.

Comm. Campbell temporarily left the meeting and returned shortly thereafter.

Chairman Hawkins passed the gavel to Vice Chairman Campbell and temporarily left the

meeting, and upon returning shortly thereafter, he resumed the Chairmanship.

CONSENT AGENDA

Burning Services and Pre-Suppression Plowing Agreement With State Department of

Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Forest Service for Cypress Lakes Preserve

Federal Subrecipient Agreement With Vincent Academy Adventure Coast, Inc., and

Associated Budget Resolution

Submittal of Application to US Department of Homeland Security for FY 2024-25

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for Hernando County Fire and Emergency

Services

Updated Exhibit A to Memorandum of Understanding With University of Florida for

Extension Services to Provide for FY 2025 Proposed Projected Annual Expense Budget

Declaration of Various Tangible Property as Surplus for Disposal and Removal From

Fixed Asset Inventory

Sponsorship Agreement With Weeki Wachee Area Club & Area Watch/Commissioner

Brian Hawkins for Mermaid Tale Trail of Statue

This item was pulled and voted on separately.

Third Amendment to Line of Credit Agreement With Truist Equipment Finance Corp.,

f/k/a Suntrust Equipment Finance & Leasing Corp., and Associated Resolution

Transmittal of List of Accounts Payable Disbursements for Weeks Ended October 11,

2024, and October 18, 2024

Approval of Minutes for Town Hall Meeting of November 12, 2024

Resolution Ratifying Approval of Special Exception Use Permit Petition Submitted by

Alejandro Crespo (SE2307)

This item was pulled and voted on separately.

Motion

To approve Item Nos. H-1 through H-5 and H-7 through H-9 (Budget Resolution No. 2024-248

and Resolution No. 2024-249).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Sponsorship Agreement With Weeki Wachee Area Club & Area Watch/Commissioner

Brian Hawkins for Mermaid Tale Trail of Statue

Motion

To approve Item No. H-6.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Resolution Ratifying Approval of Special Exception Use Permit Petition Submitted by

Alejandro Crespo (SE2307)

Comm. Campbell made the following Motion.

Motion

To ratify and allow until December 31, 2024 at midnight to be compliant.

Comm. Amsler seconded the Motion.

Comm. Campbell amended his Motion as follows:

Amendment to Motion

For 45-days from today (January 17, 2025) (Resolution No. 2024-250).

Comm. Champion seconded the Motion.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Jerry Campbell

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

RECESS/RECONVENE

The Board recessed at 12:10 p.m. and reconvened at 12:30 p.m.

CORRESPONDENCE TO NOTE

Correspondence From Citizen Expressing Appreciation for Services Provided by

Housing and Supportive Services Department Staff

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Proofs of publication of Notices of Public Hearing were noted for the scheduled public

hearings.

Ex Parte Communications

Chairman Hawkins and Comms. Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion announced the ex

parte communications that they had had concerning the quasi-judicial petitions being

considered at this meeting.

County Attorney Jon Jouben advised the Commissioners that any ex parte communications,

however received, could play no part in their deliberations.

Adoption of Informational Packet

The Agenda packet that was submitted to the Board included written information regarding the

cases to be considered which needed to be accepted into evidence for the hearings.

The staff recommended that the Board accept the Agenda packet, including the staff reports,

into evidence as if read aloud in their entirety.

Motion

To approve.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Master Plan Revision Petition Submitted by Sunny Pines of Hernando, LLC (H2414)

The Board accepted public input on this matter.

Motion

To deny.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Ryan Amsler

Hawkins, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Campbell

NAYES:

Request Submitted by William Bell, Neighboring Property Owner, for Appeal of

Administrative Official’s Variance Granted to Mary Ann Sanitate for Property Located at

12303 Knuckey Road

Chairman Hawkins passed the gavel to Vice Chairman Campbell and temporarily left the

meeting, and upon returning shortly thereafter, he resumed the Chairmanship.

The Board accepted public input on this matter.

Comm. Champion made the following Motion.

Motion

To approve the requested variance.

Motion died for lack of a second.

Comm. Amsler made the following Motion.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

Comm. Champion seconded the Motion.

Comm. Amsler amended his Motion as follows:

Amendment to Motion

To include a buffer for opacity as approved by the Planning Department (Resolution No.

2024-251).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ryan Amsler

Steve Champion

Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Hawkins

NAYES:

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PLANNING DIRECTOR OMAR DEPABLO

Petition Submitted by William Cada and Bailey Cada for Hardship Relief From

Subdivision Regulations for Property Located on Filbert Road

Petition Submitted by William Cada and Bailey Cada for Hardship Relief From

Subdivision Regulations for Property Located on Purple Sandpiper Avenue

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation for Item Nos. K-1 and K-2 (Resolution Nos. 2024-252

and 2024-253).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DIRECTOR ALBERT BERTRAM

Annual Budget Development Process and Budget Calendar for FY 2025-26

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Budget Amendment Realigning Funds From Transportation Trust Fund Reserves for

Contingency Department of Public Works for Removal and Disposal of Invasive Plant

Species

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Budget Resolution Realigning Funds From Reserves for Contingencies to

Improvements for Overhead Extension of Electrical Services Payment to Duke Energy

for Rescue Way Road Project at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Budget Resolution No. 2024-254).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Budget Resolution Transferring Cost-Sharing Reimbursements From Nordica Road

Paving Municipal Service Benefit Unit to Constitutional Gas Tax Fund

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Budget Resolution No. 2024-255).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Jerry Campbell

John Allocco

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER CARLA ROSSITER-SMITH

Award of Quote to S. Culp Enterprises D/B/A Property Services GC for Fire and

Emergency Services Station 9 for Hurricane Repairs (Contract No. 24-TFG00704/AP Q3;

Amount: $84,499.00)

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Utilization of Sourcewell Contract With Tyler Technologies for Public Sector and

Education Administration Software Solutions With Related Services for Enterprise

Resource Planning Software and Enterprise Permitting and Licensing Software and

Related Services for Various County Departments and Entities (Amount: $6,299,320.00)

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Utilization of Sourcewell Contract With Vestis Services, LLC, for Uniforms and

Uniform-Related Products and Services

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

RECESS/RECONVENE

The Board recessed at 3:40 p.m. and reconvened at 3:50 p.m.

TRANSIT ADMINISTRATOR DARLENE LOLLIE

Final Update to Transit Development Plan for FY 2025 Through 2034

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR VEDA RAMIREZ

Fiscal Year 2024 HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Fiscal Year 2024

Community Development Block Grant Agreements and Associated Budget Resolution

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Budget Resolution No. 2024-256).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Jerry Campbell

Ryan Amsler

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

UTILITIES DIRECTOR GORDON ONDERDONK

Discussion Regarding Potential Renaming of Hexam Water Treatment Plant in Memory

of Mark K. Morgan

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Champion and Amsler

Discussion Regarding Ordinance No. 2010-15 Relating to Watering Restrictions

PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR/FIRE CHIEF PAUL HASENMEIER

Discussion Regarding Potential Funding for Hernando County Fire and Emergency

Services

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JEFFREY ROGERS

Proposed Interlocal Agreement with Hernando County Sheriff Regarding Operation of

Hernando County Animal Shelter and Associated Budget Resolution

Motion

To keep Animal Services with the County.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Ryan Amsler

Champion and Amsler

Hawkins, Campbell and Allocco

NAYES:

Motion

To transfer to the Sheriff's Department (Budget Resolution No. 2024-257).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell and Allocco

Champion and Amsler

NAYES:

Review of Whole Cent for Hernando County Sales Surtax Referendum and Direction on

Projects

This item was postponed to a date uncertain.

Update Regarding Ongoing Board Directives

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

The Board commented on various issues.