Hernando County

Board of County Commissioners

Regular Meeting

Minutes

March 24, 2026

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in the John Law

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

Attendee Name

Jerry Campbell

Ryan Amsler

Title

Chairman

Vice Chairman

Steve Champion

John Allocco

Second Vice Chairman

Commissioner

Brian Hawkins

Toni Brady

Carla Burrmann

Omar DePablo

Paul Hasenmeier

Scott Herring

Commissioner

Deputy County Administrator

Natural Resources Manager

Development Services Director

Public Safety Director/Fire Chief

Public Works Director

County Attorney

Jon Jouben

Christopher Linsbeck

Douglas Livermore

Jeffrey Rogers

Carla Rossiter-Smith

Brad Smith

Community Services Director

Fleet Operations Manager

County Administrator

Chief Procurement Officer

Utilities Director

Rob Talmage

Parks and Recreation Administrator

Assistant County Attorney

Deputy Clerk

Melissa Tartaglia

Nienke Osinga

Heidi Prouse

Deputy Clerk

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

America 250 Presentation

Presentation by Richard Whitford and Sherry Whitford Demonstrating Meaning Behind 13

Folds of United States Flag

AGENDA

Motion

To approve the Agenda with changes.

(Note: Item No. N [Request From Brooksville Main Street for Contribution to Hernando

County’s Salute to America 250 Event on July 4, 2026, Located at Sand Hill Scout

Reservation] was moved up to be heard after Item No. E [Board/Staff Responses].

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ryan Amsler

Steve Champion

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

ELECTED OFFICIALS

There were no Elected Officials' Comments.

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.

RECESS/RECONVENE

The Board recessed at 10:35 a.m. and reconvened at 10:45 a.m.

COMMISSIONER RYAN AMSLER

Request From Brooksville Main Street for Contribution to Hernando County’s Salute to

America 250 Event on July 4, 2026, Located at Sand Hill Scout Reservation

This item was moved up on the Agenda from Item No. N to be heard after Item No. E

[Board/Staff Responses (to Citizens' Comments)] during approval of the Agenda.

Comm. Amsler made the following Motion.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation with vendor direct payments.

Comm. Champion seconded the Motion.

Comm. Amsler amended his Motion as follows:

Amendment to Motion

For the funding to be from the Tourism Development Tax.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ryan Amsler

Steve Champion

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

CONSENT AGENDA

Comm. Champion temporarily left the meeting.

Amendment 101 to Purchase Order Agreement With Lutheran Services Florida, Inc.,

d/b/a LSF Health Systems for Funding of Community Paramedicine Program and Mental

Health and Substance Abuse Resource Coordination From Florida Opioid Allocation

and Statewide Response Agreement a/k/a Opioid Settlement

Authorization for County Attorney to Execute Settlement Participation Agreements With

Six Opioid Distributor/Dispenser Defendants Regarding Opioid Litigation

School Concurrency Proportionate Share Mitigation Agreement With The School Board

of Hernando County, Florida; and Hillpointe, LLC, Land Merchant, LLC, Frank

McDowell, III and Margaret M. McDowell, and Nicholas Anthony Olivia, Trustee of

Nicholas Anthony Olivia, Sr., Revocable Living Trust for Pointe Grande at Spring Hill

Budget Adjustment to Reallocate Expenditures for FY 2025-2026 Within Clerk of Circuit

Court and Comptroller Budget

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

Fixed Asset Inventory

Petroleum Restoration Program Site Access Agreement With State of Florida,

Department of Environmental Protection for Petroleum Contamination Cleanup for

Property Located at 700 Aeriform Drive, Brooksville

Resolution Regarding Reimbursement of Certain Costs Relating to Ridge Manor Water

Reclamation Facility Expansion and Emergency Operations Structure

Satisfaction of Various Mortgages Through Homeownership Down Payment Assistance

Program

Satisfactions of Second Mortgage for Suzzanne Asaff and Jeffery D. D’Angelo Through

Neighborhood Stabilization Program Purchase Assistance Program

Sponsorship Agreement With Rotary Club of Brooksville for Mermaid Tale Trail Statue

Resolution Authorizing Submittal of Application to Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission for Boating Improvement Program Grant Funding for

Hunters Lake Channel Restoration Project Phase 1

Various Satisfactions of Interim Disposal Special Assessment Liens

Acceptance of Perpetual Utility Easement From Hawk Sunrise, LLC, With Hernando

County Water and Sewer District for Installation of Water Main and Sewer Force Main

Project From Interstate 75 a/k/a I-75 Across Proposed Water Plant for Sunrise

Development

Acceptance of Perpetual Utility Easement From Hawk Sunrise, LLC, With Hernando

County Water and Sewer District for Installation of Water Main and Sewer Force Main

Project From Sunrise Boulevard to Ridge Manor Wastewater Treatment Plant for

Sunrise Development

Enabling Resolution Implementing May 2026 as Code Compliance Month

Resolution Proclaiming March 2026 as National Nutrition Month

Resolution Proclaiming April 2026 as Donate Life Month

Resolution Proclaiming April 2026 as Water Conservation Month

Comm. Amsler made the following Motion.

Motion

To approve Consent Agenda Item Nos. 1 through 12.

Comm. Amsler amended his Motion as follows:

Amendment to Motion

To approve Consent Agenda Item Nos. F-1 through F-18 (Resolution Nos. 2026-055 through

2026-060).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ryan Amsler

Brian Hawkins

Campbell, Amsler, Allocco and Hawkins

Champion

AWAY:

CORRESPONDENCE TO NOTE

Notice of Purchasing Policy Exceptions for February 2026

Notification of Letter to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Requesting

Seasonal Closure of Hospital Hole Included in Weeki Wachee River System for Manatee

Protection

Comm. Champion returned to the meeting.

Transmittal of Letter From Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Regarding Request for Seasonal Closure of Hospital Hole Included in Weeki Wachee

River System for Manatee Protection

Receipt of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Trust Fund Monthly Report for September

2025

Receipt of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Trust Fund Monthly Report for October 2025

Receipt of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Trust Fund Monthly Report for November

2025

Receipt of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Trust Fund Monthly Report for December

2025

Submittal of Letter to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Requesting a

Presentation on Gopher Tortoises at Upcoming Board Meeting

Transmittal of Minutes From Delegation on Government Efficiency a/k/a DOGE

Committee Meetings of January 2026

Transmittal of Minutes From Fine Arts Council Meeting January 2026

Transmittal of Minutes From Library Advisory Committee Meeting of January 13, 2026

Transmittal of Minutes From Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of January 12,

2026

RECESS/RECONVENE

The Board recessed at 11:45 a.m. and reconvened at 11:55 a.m.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

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

hearings.

Ex Parte Communications

Chairman Campbell and Comms. Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins 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

Steve Champion

Brian Hawkins

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

Public Hearing Regarding Notice of Public Nuisance Vessel Issued to Registration No.

FL 1693LJ, Decal No. 08029041

The Board accepted public input on this matter.

Comm. Hawkins made the following Motion.

Motion

To deem as a nuisance vessel, with the owner of the vessel given a firm date of April 30,

2026, to have removed from Hernando County. If the owner does not, the County will engage

a contractor to remove the vessel and scrap it, with those costs to be passed along to the

owner, Jason Imgrund.

Comm. Champion seconded the Motion.

Comm. Hawkins amended his Motion as follows:

Amendment to Motion

For no further notice to be provided to the owner if not removed by April 30, 2026.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Brian Hawkins

Steve Champion

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

Variance Petition Submitted by Matthew Schroepfer and RaeAnna Schroepfer for

Property Located on Baxter Street

There was no public input.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2026-061).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

FY 2027 Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Rate Increase for Spring Hill Street Lighting

Municipal Service Benefit Unit and Establishment of Future Maximum Rate and

Associated Resolution

Comm. Hawkins temporarily left the meeting.

There was no public input.

Comm. Allocco made the following Motion.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2026-062).

Comm. Hawkins returned to the meeting.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR OMAR DEPABLO

Petition Submitted by Charles Ivory for Hardship Relief From Subdivision Regulations

for Property Located on White Road

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

There was no public input.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2026-063).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Brian Hawkins

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT

ROSSITER-SMITH

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES CARLA

Award of Construction Contract to Wharton-Smith, Inc., for Ridge Manor Water

Reclamation Facility Expansion and Emergency Operations Structure Construction

Projects for Utilities Department and Associated Budget Resolution (Contract No.

26-C01237/JG; Amount: $91,569,822.50)

Award of Quote and Work Authorization Agreement With Seggie Custom Builders, LLC,

for Transport and Installation of Modular Business Unit at Hernando County Sheriff's

Office (Contract No. 23-T00040/AP; Amount: $163,922.67)

Motion

To approve Item Nos. J-2 and J-3 (Budget Resolution No. 2026-064).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Brian Hawkins

Steve Champion

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

Approval of Task Order With Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., for Hernando County

Electric Vehicle Fleet Needs Assessment Report for Fleet Department (Contract No.

24-PG0125/EK; Amount: $68,964.00)

Motion

To deny Item No. J-1.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Brian Hawkins

Steve Champion

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SCOTT HERRING

Approval of Right of Entry Agreements With Ronald W. Hutton and CA Properties, Inc.,

for Installation and Operation of Temporary Pump Systems As Needed for Flood

Mitigation Located on Rowntree Drive

Renewal of Lease Agreement With Vincent Academy Adventure Coast, Inc., for Office

Space at Westside Government Center

Motion

To approve Item Nos. K-1 and K-2.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Brian Hawkins

Steve Champion

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGER CARLA BURRMANN

Discussion Regarding Hunters Lake Boat Ramp Access and Management Activities

There was Board consensus to direct the staff to research the permit and cost estimate for a

maintenance dredge of Hunters Lake and to include as an Item for future budget discussions.

RECESS/RECONVENE

The Board recessed at 2:10 p.m. and reconvened at 2:20 p.m.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER LINSBECK

Discussion Regarding Waterways Advisory Committee

Comm. Hawkins requested Board consensus to work with staff and the Waterways Advisory

Committee in an advisory position to the Board.

The Board concurred.

Community Services Director Christopher Linsbeck clarified that the Board gave direction to

continue the meetings six times per year at the Lake House with Comm. Hawkins advising the

committee.

COMMISSIONER RYAN AMSLER

Request From Brooksville Main Street for Contribution to Hernando County’s Salute to

America 250 Event on July 4, 2026, Located at Sand Hill Scout Reservation

This item was moved up in the Agenda and heard after Board/Staff Responses to Citizens'

Comment.

COMMISSIONER STEVE CHAMPION

Discussion Regarding Reconsideration of Proposed Ordinance Related to Retail

Transactions; Creating Section 18-1 of Hernando County Code Prohibiting Retail

Businesses From Refusing to Accept Cash Payments for Goods or Services

There was Board consensus to consider a debit card as cash and to quote federal and state

laws in the County ordinance and to bring it back to the Board for further discussion on a

future Agenda.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JEFFREY ROGERS

Confirmation of Brad Smith as Director of Utilities

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Brian Hawkins

Steve Champion

Campbell, Amsler, Champion, Allocco and Hawkins

Update Regarding Ongoing Board Directives

Comm. Hawkins temporarily left the meeting.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

The Board commented on various issues.

Comm. Hawkins returned to the meeting.

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

Comm. Allocco left the meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.