Hernando County

Board of County Commissioners

Regular Meeting

Minutes

January 28, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 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

Christopher Linsbeck

Gordon Onderdonk

Veda Ramirez

Jeffrey Rogers

Rob Talmage

Erin Thomas

Community Services Director

Utilities Director

Health and Human Services Director

County Administrator

Parks and Recreation Administrator

Interim Emergency Management Director

Deputy Clerk

Patricia Tapia

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR/FIRE CHIEF PAUL HASENMEIER

Public Safety Director/Fire Chief Paul Hasenmeier Conveyed Condolences for Loss of

Firefighter Marc Matto

AGENDA

Motion

To approve the Agenda with changes.

(Note: Item No. R-1 [Confirmation of Erin Thomas as Emergency Management Director] was

moved to new Item No. C-5.)

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Ryan Amsler

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

INTERIM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR ERIN THOMAS

Ratification of Proclamation No. 2024-18 Thirteenth Extension of Declaration of State of

Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Helene and Eleventh Extension of Declaration of

State of Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Milton

Ratification of Proclamation No. 2024-19 Fourteenth Extension of Declaration of State of

Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Helene and Twelfth Extension of Declaration of

State of Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Milton

Ratification of Proclamation No. 2025-01 Fifteenth Extension of Declaration of State of

Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Helene and Thirteenth Extension of Declaration of

State of Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Milton

Ratification of Proclamation No. 2025-02 Sixteenth Extension of Declaration of State of

Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Helene and Fourteenth Extension of Declaration of

State of Local Emergency Due to Hurricane Milton

Motion

To approve Item Nos. C-1 through C-4.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JEFFREY ROGERS

Confirmation of Erin Thomas as Emergency Management Director

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

ELECTED OFFICIALS

There were no Elected Officials' Comments.

COMMEMORATIVE RESOLUTIONS

Resolution Proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-009).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

John Allocco

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Resolution Proclaiming February 2, 2025, as Clerk Appreciation Day

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-010).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Ryan Amsler

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

CONSENT AGENDA

Comm. Champion made the following Motion:

Motion

To approve the Consent Agenda.

Comm. Amsler seconded the Motion.

This Motion died for lack of a vote.

Acceptance of FY 2024-25 State Department of Health Emergency Medical Services

Grant Funds for Improvement and Expansion of Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical

Services and Associated Budget Resolution

This item was pulled and voted on separately.

Amendment No. 1 to E911 State Grant Agreement With State Department of

Management Services for Emergency Services to Upgrade Routing Functions and

Increase Redundancy to 911 System

Award of FY2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for In-Car Cameras

for Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and Associated Budget Resolution

This item was pulled and voted on separately.

Submittal of FY 2024-25 State Department of Health Emergency Medical Services Grant

Application for Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services

Transmittal of List of Accounts Payable Disbursements for Weeks Ended December 27,

2024, January 3, 2025, and January 10, 2025

This item was pulled and voted on separately.

Release of Performance Bond for Kensington Woods f/k/a Lucky Lane and Acceptance

of Maintenance Bond for Kensington Woods f/k/a Lucky Lane

This item was pulled and voted on separately.

Motion

To approve Item Nos. F-2 and F-4.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Acceptance of FY 2024-25 State Department of Health Emergency Medical Services

Grant Funds for Improvement and Expansion of Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical

Services and Associated Budget Resolution

Award of FY2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for In-Car Cameras

for Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and Associated Budget Resolution

Transmittal of List of Accounts Payable Disbursements for Weeks Ended December 27,

2024, January 3, 2025, and January 10, 2025

Release of Performance Bond for Kensington Woods f/k/a Lucky Lane and Acceptance

of Maintenance Bond for Kensington Woods f/k/a Lucky Lane

Motion

To approve Item Nos. F-1, F-3, F-5 and F-6 (Budget Resolution Nos. 2025-011 and

2025-012).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

CORRESPONDENCE TO NOTE

Notice of Special Exception Use Permit Actions Taken by Planning and Zoning

Commission on January 13, 2025

Notification From Southwest Florida Water Management District of Total Habitat

Restored Within District

Transmittal of FY 2024-25 Proposed Annual Operating and Maintenance Budget for

Lake Hideaway II Community Development District

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

Steve Champion

John Allocco

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Rezoning Petition Submitted by NVR, Inc., on Behalf of Banc Development Limited and

Emerson Capital Group, LLC (H2453)

The Board accepted public input on this matter.

Comm. Amsler made the following Motion:

Motion

To deny.

The Motion died for lack of a second.

Comm. Champion made the following Motion:

Motion

To continue to a date certain of March 25, 2025.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Jerry Campbell

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

RECESS/RECONVENE

The Board recessed at 11:15 a.m. and reconvened at 11:25 a.m.

Rezoning Petition Submitted by Harvey Schonbrun, Trustee (H2456)

The Board accepted public input on this matter.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-013).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

John Allocco

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Master Plan Revision Petition Submitted by GB3 Partners, LLLP (H2457)

The Board accepted public input on this matter.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-014).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Ryan Amsler

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Rezoning Petition Submitted by Exempt Per Public Record (H2461)

The Board accepted public input on this matter.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-015).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

John Allocco

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Rezoning Petition Submitted by Charles F. Rummens and Caryn S. Rummens (H2467)

There was no public input.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-016).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Master Plan Revision Petition Submitted by Eisenhower Property Group, LLC, on Behalf

of EBH Acquisitions, LLC, and John F. Mason, Trustee of John F. Mason Revocable

Trust Dated October 9, 2008 (H2458)

The Board accepted public input on this matter.

Comm. Champion made the following Motion:

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation including holiday parking.

Comm. Champion amended his Motion as follows:

Amendment to Motion

To include Modified Performance Condition Nos. 9, 14 and 22 as approved by the Planning

Department, and to include a buffer along Mason Smith Road at a minimum of 20-feet, a

berm along U.S. 41 and holiday parking.

Comm. Champion clarified his Motion as follows:

Clarification to Motion

To include a buffer/berm at a minimum of 20-feet along U.S. 41, not along Mason Smith

Road.

Comm. Champion amended his Motion as follows:

Amendment to Motion

The north/south collector road and east/west collector road shall be constructed in the

appropriate sequence to provide access to pods that are being developed as approved by the

County Engineer. All sections of the north/south and east/west collector roads shall be

constructed upon need and demand as determination made by the County Engineer

(Resolution No. 2025-17).

(Note: This Motion pertained to Modified Performance Condition No. 13.)

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Ryan Amsler

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Variance Petition Submitted by TransAtlantic Properties, Inc.

There was no public input.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-018).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PLANNING DIRECTOR OMAR DEPABLO

Petition Submitted by Dana K. Wolfanger and Karen J. Wolfanger for Hardship Relief

From Subdivision Regulations

There was no public input.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-019).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Ryan Amsler

John Allocco

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Petition Submitted by Ryan Stephens and Jennifer Tell for Hardship Relief From

Subdivision Regulations

There was no public input.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-020).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

John Allocco

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

Petition Submitted by William Goldman and Debra Goldman for Hardship Relief From

Subdivision Regulations

There was no public input.

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation (Resolution No. 2024-021).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

John Allocco

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

COUNTY ATTORNEY JON JOUBEN

Discussion Regarding District 5 and District 24 Medical Examiner Interlocal Agreement

Pertaining to Seminole and Lake Counties Intent to Enter Into a Separate Interlocal

Agreement From District 5 Counties Resulting in Reorganization of Medical Examiner

Districts

There was Board consensus to direct the staff to officially oppose the Interlocal Agreement.

RECESS/RECONVENE

The Board recessed at 1:10 p.m. and reconvened at 1:20 p.m.

DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TONI BRADY

Recognition of Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by Government Finance

Officers Association to Office of Management and Budget

There was no vote on this item of recognition.

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DIRECTOR ALBERT BERTRAM

Budget Amendment to Provide Funding for Housing Specialist Position to Fulfill State

Housing Initiative Partnership Program Requirements for Housing and Supportive

Services

This item was pulled and voted on separately.

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

This item was pulled and discussed separately.

CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER CARLA ROSSITER-SMITH

Utilization of Florida Sheriff’s Association Contract With Nextran Truck Centers for

Heavy Trucks and Buses for Fleet Department (Contract No. 24-P0121C; Amount:

$121,145.08)

Utilization of Hillsborough County Contract With Shamrock Environmental Company

d/b/a Aqua Clean Environmental Co., LLC, for Leachate Hauling and Disposal Services

Solid Waste and Recycling Department (Contract No. 25-P0200/FH; Amount:

$450,000.00)

HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR VEDA RAMIREZ

Interlocal Agreement With City of Brooksville for South Brooksville Community

Redevelopment Area Master Plan

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/COUNTY ENGINEER SCOTT HERRING

Declaration of County Owned Property Located on Treiman Boulevard as Surplus

Property and Consideration of Purchase Offer Submitted by Michael A. Huntington (Key

#1586091)

Installation of Additional Street Lights Within Spring Hill Street Lighting Municipal

Service Benefit Unit

Discussion Regarding Proposed Chip Seal Locations as Alternative Pavement Option

for Limerock Road Surface Management

This item was pulled and discussed separately.

Motion

To approve Item Nos. M-1, M-2, N, O-1 and O-2.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Ryan Amsler

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DIRECTOR ALBERT BERTRAM

Budget Amendment to Provide Funding for Housing Specialist Position to Fulfill State

Housing Initiative Partnership Program Requirements for Housing and Supportive

Services

Motion

To approve the staff recommendation.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

Steve Champion

Ryan Amsler

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

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

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/COUNTY ENGINEER SCOTT HERRING

Discussion Regarding Proposed Chip Seal Locations as Alternative Pavement Option

for Limerock Road Surface Management

The was Board consensus to proceed with the chip seal pavement option on Tinamou Avenue

as proposed by staff recommendation.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER LINSBECK

Discussion Regarding Proposed Alfred A. McKethan Pine Island Park Restoration Plan

The was Board consensus to move forward with the restoration plan as proposed by staff

recommendation.

COMMISSIONER RYAN AMSLER

Discussion Regarding Proposed Board Policy No. 44-01 Creating the Hernando County

Advisory Commission on Human Trafficking

There was Board consensus to support proposed Board Policy No. 44-01 as requested by

Comm. Amsler.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JEFFREY ROGERS

Confirmation of Erin Thomas as Emergency Management Director

This item was moved up in the Agenda and heard as new Item No. C-5.

Update Regarding Ongoing Board Directives

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

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.

Motion

To accept the donation by Weeki Wachee Area Club to Veterans' services.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

ADOPTED

John Allocco

Steve Champion

Hawkins, Campbell, Allocco, Amsler and Champion

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

The Board commented on various issues.

County Administrator Jeffrey Rogers recommended that the Board support the request made

by Citrus County for a letter of support regarding their legislative appropriation request for the

Cross Florida Barge Canal boat ramp project. There was Board consensus to direct the staff

to write the letter of support as recommended.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.