[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6546505,"mediaKeyId","3640666-360609bd981381908079bb298aa5a7aa","parentId",3640666,"title","Hernando County reviews $millions in FY26 capital projects; fleet facility, water projects draw heaviest debate","audioSeconds",7775,"startMs",2195000,"endMs",9970000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640666-360609bd981381908079bb298aa5a7aa&start=2195&end=9970","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640666-360609bd981381908079bb298aa5a7aa/thumbnail_2195000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546505/Hernando-County/Florida/Hernando-County-reviews-millions-in-FY26-capital-projects-fleet-facility-water-projects-draw-heaviest-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546505-6947aaa4417af8e7712384c4470d46dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770915802&Signature=npzVtQwh0ECdzqsFv3Gn6tCSoqV7e40uMVW2exioBxkpIo~APIDSxBg7trMg4BRR2frpj6jXvCT9rfXlsu9F~E64tCO5Gm-qMZe7w0In7KjIQ0xjOZZl1IgLZfuAlBCZrelanSWwkgNZFpZJN96lca9Nu2bJYe1crki9CQDR5JJ6OTbkE3pclCTVGiIIjwrcKD0ZiWSQsSHB4xOar7KvVWWnPwNowO8CYhzo1FQj9uxxajqL898vfKZIyUr3vd8324cUN3gXmHPSYKKjscNkAhp7HQBIrnxqj3PEdI~PvsUaiJLC~5k4IcFlhJGHF~NoNPRlauyy9ez3cl9tEVwSMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hernando County","date","2025-06-03T08:54:00Z","article","Hernando County staff, department directors and commissioners spent the morning of June 3 reviewing the proposed fiscal‑year 2026 capital improvement program (CIP), sorting projects by funding source and priority and debating which items should move forward into the FY26 budget.

Office of Management and Budget director Albert Bertram opened the workshop by explaining the CIP ranking, multi‑year projections and color‑coding by major funding source. “The construction projects for just as a brief overview, building construction projects incorporate the cost of both design and construction. Oftentimes, the design is in 1 year and the construction's in the following year,” Bertram told the board.

Utilities projects dominated the early portion of the spreadsheet: Gordon Otterdonk, utilities director, outlined ongoing and planned work including the Killian water plant upgrades (a new well and high‑service pump station), force‑main improvements for several corridors, the Hermosa pump station upgrade near Hernando Beach and a Centralia wells and 20‑inch transmission line to increase Spring Hill area potable supply. On permitting he said, “They currently, they are not permitted. We're going through water use permit modification right now, to permit those wells.”

Fleet maintenance building became the meeting’s most discussed single item. Staff presented a space‑needs estimate and preliminary capital numbers; one early conceptual cost cited to staff was about $20 million for a 20‑bay shop, which prompted skepticism from several commissioners. Fleet manager Doug Livermore described immediate operational costs the county pays now when vendor technicians travel: “The closest shop that maintains … is in Fort Myers. They have their hourly rate, which is significantly higher than what ours is, plus they charge just to come out.”

Commissioners pressed for a rigorous cost‑benefit analysis before committing to a large fixed facility. Commissioner Loco asked for data on what the county would save by performing more maintenance in‑house; Commissioner Champion asked whether light‑duty vehicles under warranty should be excluded from in‑house work. Staff proposed a $175,000 study in FY26 for a space‑needs/financial analysis and offered lower‑cost phased alternatives, including a smaller 10‑bay shop and a potential Station 2 satellite bay to reduce travel for fire apparatus.

Electric vehicle transitions became part of the discussion; several commissioners and staff flagged the potential for light‑duty vehicles to migrate to EVs and suggested an EV infrastructure/analysis be commissioned alongside fleet planning. Commissioner Champion summarized the technology question this way: “I think the consumer has. Right? And that's overwhelming what that future looks like… The only thing that I've done with my car over the last 3 years … is put water in the wiper fluid.”

Board and staff also reviewed major water/wastewater projects with high price tags (not exhaustive): a 6‑MGD Glen plant expansion (planning/design only in the CIP) estimated in preliminary work as a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar future project; Lehi wastewater treatment upgrades to meet advanced treatment and BMAP requirements; Bridal Manor reclamation facility expansion; and a planned new 16‑inch force main under I‑75 to serve growth west of the interstate. Otterdonk said the Hermosa pump station design was about 90% complete and likely to bid late in the year; some well projects were still undergoing water‑use permitting.

No formal votes were taken; the workshop is advisory. Commissioners directed staff to run targeted financial analyses: a fleet demand, cost‑comparison and procurement plan; alternatives to the large centralized maintenance facility (including phased construction and private‑sector contracting); and updated project phasing for utilities tied to growth and grant availability. Staff said they would return with revised cost estimates and proposals for which projects should be included in the FY26 adopted budget.

Why it matters: CIP decisions set the county’s capital commitments and borrowing needs for years. The workshop highlighted competing priorities — immediate maintenance and resilience versus large new facilities — and underscored the need to justify multi‑million‑dollar projects with clear operating‑cost savings, grant leverage or developer contributions.

Ending: Staff will bring revised estimates and a proposed list of FY26 funded projects to the board for budget decisions; commissioners asked specifically for a fleet study and clearer grant/permit roadmaps for major utilities work.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hernando County - Board of County Commissioners on 2025-06-03 9:00 AM - Land-Use Meeting and 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan Discussion for FY 2026 - FY 2030 - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Hernando County staff and commissioners spent a June 3 workshop reviewing the draft fiscal‑year 2026 capital improvement program, with the fleet maintenance facility and several large water and wastewater upgrades drawing the most scrutiny.","taxTitle","Hernando County, Florida","taxId",2876,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546520,"Neighbors urge board to block private runway near Spring Lake as planners note FAA sign-off",774,577000,1351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640666-360609bd981381908079bb298aa5a7aa&start=577&end=1351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640666-360609bd981381908079bb298aa5a7aa/thumbnail_577000.jpg","/articles/6546520/Hernando-County/Florida/Neighbors-urge-board-to-block-private-runway-near-Spring-Lake-as-planners-note-FAA-sign-off","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546520-5c70ab35d5cd2f0bf442e84a834df124/orig.mp4?Expires=1770915802&Signature=KDf4V1WHdQQ2mxg2OIK4OjVbymT9c6OHjG9I7ofQl~EfiqHyWwJQJG-Kh8Q4d15MVACIWp8WMM5HdnjXyFE-yygJv0Ez4NTWrlneiULLRbQdRlOO88G~yZf9Q2mUDUjQsXwO6WtSXJ3XGSE~E9SsS3GzUk0ZlYfQHYH1q9bdFcCC508C0-bhrfe45TCVN4gOjIf1UYiuKVxnsX4bYgWlSkDpKyctFtCFk-doAIuMOtf-EVFvaQOkWYaXccnroNjv9UX~H6ASCfTMpkFNHgbkSFoEg7M2cTcWd-eJ6GNwIUbsCUXPBXj1FDTyj1-rGIOVtFN78M2MNc0~fyHAroYuKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A request by Rose and James Haney for a private, single‑engine runway on a 9.8‑acre agricultural parcel east of White Road drew hours of public comment at the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners’ land‑use meeting June 3.

Planning and zoning staff told the board the applicant proposes a 1,230‑foot‑long by 50‑foot runway for personal use only and indicated at most 20 takeoffs and landings a month. “The request was submitted by the petitioner for a private use airport runway on a 9.8 acre…parcel. The runway was proposed to be 1,230 feet in length and 50 feet in width, and it was solely for the utilization of the petitioner,” Planning and Zoning representative Michelle Miller said.

Neighbors said the runway would be too close to homes and to areas where children and wildlife gather. “This private airstrip affects my property and my family. It’s going to be approximately 50 feet from my grandchildren’s tree swing, 300 feet from my front door,” local resident Connie Kraus told commissioners, and later warned that the runway would depress property values and increase safety risks. Spring Lake resident Susan Duvall told the board the runway end could be “approximately 26 feet from my boundary line,” and she raised concerns about gusty crosswinds, emergency access and the possibility other pilots would use the strip.

Planning staff and county attorneys told the board their review focused on land‑use consistency rather than aviation safety, which the Federal Aviation Administration regulates. Miller said county files include FAA documentation the petitioner supplied showing FAA concurrence for noncommercial, single‑engine operations. County attorney John Jobein told the board the commissioners’ immediate decision was whether to allow the item to come back to the board for a public hearing.

Commissioners split on property‑rights versus neighborhood impacts. Commissioner Champion emphasized property‑rights protections and called private airstrips “a legal right in the zoning district.” Commissioner Amselor said the board needed time to consider concerns raised by neighbors. No final decision to approve the runway was taken at the meeting; the board left open whether to schedule a formal hearing and likely will return the item for a later, noticed quasi‑judicial hearing.

Why it matters: The board is balancing a land‑use entitlement that is allowed by special exception in agricultural zoning against neighborhood safety concerns and property‑value impacts. Because the FAA regulates aircraft operations, county review is limited to whether the runway meets local land‑use standards.

What’s next: The board did not adopt or deny the special‑exception permit at the June 3 meeting; staff and the county attorney confirmed the board may direct the item to return for a formal hearing where evidence will be received.

Ending: Planning staff said they would include the FAA documentation and the petition materials in the record if the board elects to schedule the hearing.

","A request by Rose and James Haney for a private, single‑engine runway on a 9.8‑acre agricultural parcel east of White Road drew hours of public comment at the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners’ land‑use meeting June 3.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546510,"Commissioners approve vacation of utility and drainage easements in Royal Highlands",142,1671000,1813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640666-360609bd981381908079bb298aa5a7aa&start=1671&end=1813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640666-360609bd981381908079bb298aa5a7aa/thumbnail_1671000.jpg","/articles/6546510/Hernando-County/Florida/Commissioners-approve-vacation-of-utility-and-drainage-easements-in-Royal-Highlands","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546510-76b1a9eb7a8820833859e92847b2b874/orig.mp4?Expires=1770915802&Signature=W3x5FjvJyebjJ4cVoV~IWWLCEUghhp-ejprXERLrmuHK1kqO-Z7h1rc8ObKMYZHq7UdujvfiS-lkINeukYOBuCqojioPPeXMkGilh23jdN-hIezwaDQfqt17xoAw~srW37wnbYSUoTZa5RBGO2q1MT10rSXZPnw0qMFetnNvOJDXlPnsmecu4SxZ9UhqlCGaSaRc44M8X5IIuP7FBws5kYWiInwoTfNYpGUq3jR9o6oMT~L5X7P3~donQqzoRv0OVff7xIp7wWwQPC~VGc1KTk2IipHzYL2JBfCoRL8O-QzI~SFRF4-XyZZHNkVXIA7cM8QmGoSRRlioyKhStXLMNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners approved a petition by Justin McMahon and Hunter McMahon to vacate internal utility and drainage easements covering Lots 4 through 6, Block 7308 in Royal Highlands Subdivision, Unit 8. County staff told commissioners that affected utilities and departments had indicated no objection and that the vacation would allow construction of a single‑family home within the former easement area.

Commissioner Loco asked a legal question about combining parcels under different ownership; county legal staff explained the applicants would be required to retitle and resolve ownership changes off‑record prior to platting or building. Commissioners approved the petition by motion of Commissioner Champion, seconded by Commissioner Campbell. The vote was 5‑0 in favor.

Why it matters: Vacating small internal easements can allow infill residential construction where utility or drainage interests are no longer needed or have been otherwise relocated. The action clears the county’s easement interests; title and retitling remain the applicants’ responsibility.

Ending: Staff said utilities will maintain oversight to ensure that the lots meet development and safety standards if homeowners proceed with construction.

","The board approved a petition by Justin and Hunter McMahon to remove internal 7.5‑foot utility and drainage easements to allow construction of a single‑family house; staff and utilities raised no objections and the motion passed 5‑0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546515,"County approves vacation of paper‑plat rights‑of‑way in Jumper Loop subdivision",208,1453000,1661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640666-360609bd981381908079bb298aa5a7aa&start=1453&end=1661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640666-360609bd981381908079bb298aa5a7aa/thumbnail_1453000.jpg","/articles/6546515/Hernando-County/Florida/County-approves-vacation-of-paperplat-rightsofway-in-Jumper-Loop-subdivision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546515-21b96a3109e2a1ea2b02712df16ae4c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770915802&Signature=D8ztZpessmLBpVK1sWwaC9pFS6L6BhDOWTCt2WMGio2-lTfmEPcX0ItTBpG4kfbrD7POrmeUtulm1jEz6G8aKL--wk~VZhKBrH1NHlHu7i8I1fYrQDe783kg-yhnKTn4-FCZjWDC3LciCcHziC-8wRjxgcvHVT1Y-rWxbfDC4MVEl1aDfx6F70yyP2PMqTtqSlezCwiiTvS7TGzmIWDiIrxs-I46-jssRWTHsQtYSBR2ddULQdCuyKw9YRb4Vo8erHmq7kKe~Meiy--RArSuSfx9boCIfS2m95G~WXa9ExeCJjBi-osI75HR49B3unNqPHFzFzFjsy5xN7zeaimbQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a petition from Jumper Loop Project LLC to vacate unused rights‑of‑way shown on a historic paper plat of the Silver Hill subdivision. The action, taken during the June 3 land‑use hearing, will allow the petitioner to consolidate parcels and build a new single‑family subdivision with modern access and utilities.

County staff described the request as a petition to vacate rights of way adjacent to blocks 1 through 12 of the Silver Hill subdivision; all affected county departments and utilities had indicated no objection. “All relevant utilities and county departments have expressed no objection to the proposal,” staff told the board.

Don Lacey of Coastal Engineering, representing the applicant, said the underlying paper plat predated development and that the owner had assembled the parcels needed to build a new loop road and 70‑foot rights‑of‑way consistent with current zoning and utility plans. “This is taking one of these old paper plats off the books and essentially putting something more modern and more real in place,” Lacey said.

A motion to approve came from Commissioner Champion and was seconded by Commissioner Campbell; no one from the public opposed. The vote was 5‑0 in favor.

Why it matters: Vacating obsolete paper‑plat rights‑of‑way clears legal and design obstacles so the county’s infrastructure (water, sewer, roads) and modern subdivision requirements can be implemented.

Ending: Staff said they would coordinate with utilities to ensure the new loop road and required sidewalks and utilities are installed before any lots are platted.

","The board voted 5‑0 to vacate undeveloped rights‑of‑way laid out in an old plat as part of a plan to build a single‑family subdivision. Petitioner’s engineer said the change allows construction of a new loop road and installation of utilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hernando County reviews $millions in FY26 capital projects; fleet facility, water projects draw heaviest debate

Neighbors urge board to block private runway near Spring Lake as planners note FAA sign-off

Commissioners approve vacation of utility and drainage easements in Royal Highlands

County approves vacation of paper‑plat rights‑of‑way in Jumper Loop subdivision