vested in the project. Mr. Esposito responded in the affirmative that it [interlocal agreement]
was in process. Commissioner Bays asked if it is appropriate to have a worksheet summary
of the funding priorities or needs for the County for the MPO Board members to have when
communicating with lawmakers. Mr. Esposito indicated that he would provide the MPO Board
with a summary of Hernando/Citrus MPO transportation funding priorities. [Subsequent to the
meeting, this information was emailed to the MPO Board members on Thursday, February 6,
2025.]
· Mr. Esposito noted that the Sun Coast Transportation Planning Alliance (SCTPA) is
working on the Regional 2050 LRTP. County Line Road was recently added to the
Regional Priorities List and Mr. Esposito is going to ask to have SR200 (Citrus)
added later this summer.
· Mr. Esposito attended the Pasco MPO Board meeting December 11, 2024, and he
participated in a second radio interview (WWJB) [on January 15, 2025] to
encourage the public on the importance and ways to get funding sources for local
roads, especially for local county roads.
· The MPO Board has been provided with a copy of a few relevant slides from the
Driving Florida’s Future: Economic Trends and Transportation Insights
webinar[which was conducted on January 31, 2025]. Mr. Esposito highlighted
Florida’s population growth and that 16 million of the 23 million people in Florida are
located in the central part of the state.
· Mr. Esposito announced that as an efficiency goal to reduce the number of MPO
Board meetings, Board meetings will be scheduled when it is necessary to meet
state and federal deadlines.
· The October 9, 2024, Gulf Streets Safe Summit Dignitary Panel was rescheduled to
February 13, 2025. Commissioner Bays (Citrus) and Todd Crosby, Assistant
County Engineer for Hernando County, have agreed to attend as panelists. Meeting
time and location: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal-2,
651 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida.
BOARD COMMENTS
· Commissioner Champion recognized newly elected Hernando County
Commissioner Ryan Amsler, who was in attendance to observe the MPO Board
meeting and he also thanked the Citrus County sheriff’s department for providing a
deputy to attend and offer protection during the meeting.
· City of Crystal River, Mayor Meek, raised two items for the Board’s consideration.
The next phases of the Suncoast Parkway are scheduled for completion in the next
three to four years and will include an exit at CR495/N Citrus Avenue. He asked the
MPO Board to contemplate turn lane improvements on W Emerald Oaks Drive and
CR495/N Citrus Avenue and intersection improvements at CR495/N Citrus Avenue
and N Turkey Oak Drive to route traffic around the CR495/N Citrus Avenue and the
US 19 historic district. Mr. Esposito acknowledged the mayor’s request and
affirmed the MPO will continue to monitor.
· Commissioner Allocco inquired if were any legislative bills coming forward to
address electric vehicles (EV) paying of any road taxes. Mr. Esposito affirmed the
MPO staff would investigate and report back to the MPO Board.
· City of Brooksville, Mayor Tanner, asked when the SR 50 Bypass project would be
completed and if there were impacts to the schedule. Mr. Esposito acknowledged
the mayor’s request and will provide an update to the MPO Board. [Subsequent to
the meeting, Mr. Esposito provided the following update: The construction project