[{"_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",6523498,"mediaKeyId","5030964-ea411938e50149619b2aaea9749a3089","parentId",5030964,"title","Votes at a glance: Hardee County commissioners approve grants, contracts and calendar updates","audioSeconds",1469,"startMs",2896000,"endMs",4365000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5030964-ea411938e50149619b2aaea9749a3089&start=2896&end=4365","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5030964-ea411938e50149619b2aaea9749a3089/thumbnail_2896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6523498/Hardee-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Hardee-County-commissioners-approve-grants-contracts-and-calendar-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523498-b2f81da4a798830263759136e0dae52c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088472&Signature=YnbxZsbPGkXnsSCeutNkM4vf7QnH6c37TOnNrCePNdokmHUvsB5GiJ26Lh3jNZ6xnjsJolXn2JMjEIRltvAo1ME~51~8i9oCV3x7d3G3kVWXc25ropenTa-XcNa9RIvY78NYgASK1AJGWUb4eqZqPcdYT~RVBu9bwBRNXPpDvrHjZpVfzF1szgV3v0hjhzKnd4TiaU73wkDxg1pgGmKaY3rU1O6kiLcp2upIHvrBs3DO0aiE2NVLdiZGii7QPH2yDHmIp0q-azHNByNxdZHObsc0ijMlEIgD1f2zSr9UZ~Zr98sxYKcsFJV3qhOB2vBD7Jti2IINrrgWFHFUQ~vHvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hardee County","date","2025-06-19T08:31:00Z","article","At its June 19 meeting the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners approved a series of consent and business‑agenda motions, most without extended debate. Below is a compact summary of formal actions and outcomes recorded in the meeting.

Votes at a glance (item / short description / motion & outcome):

- Agenda approval — Motion to approve the agenda; passed unanimously.
- Minutes approval (several past minutes) — Motion to approve minutes as presented; passed unanimously.
- Consent agenda (items a–m) — Motion to approve consent agenda as presented; passed unanimously.
- Non‑agenda public comments — Several speakers including Joan Kirk (New Hope Senior Center) and Diane Smith (Supervisor of Elections) provided remarks; no board action required.
- Special exception (25‑28) for anaerobic digester — Motion to approve; passed unanimously (see separate article for full coverage).
- 2024 tax roll recapitulation — Motion to approve recapitulation; passed unanimously.
- Amendment 1 to E911 State Grant Agreement (extension to 07/24/2025) — Motion to approve; passed unanimously.
- CDBG/ HMGP match for Fire Station No. 1 — Acceptance of Department of Commerce grant match $23,992.12; motion approved unanimously.
- Huachula Hills lift station generator match — Acceptance of Department of Commerce grant match $24,594.13; motion approved unanimously.
- CFPRC interlocal amendment for vulnerability assessment (time extension to 03/31/2026) — Motion approved unanimously.
- T‑Mobile Hometown Grant application for Pioneer Park ($50,000) — Motion to submit/accept and expend funds if awarded; passed unanimously.
- Hurricane Milton cash‑match estimate ($39,563) application submission — Motion approved unanimously.
- Countywide Mosquito Control grant FY 25/26 ($55,963.64) with county match not to exceed $9,546.12 — Motion approved unanimously.
- Insurance committee recommendation: move to PRM (Florida Blue) health plan with HSA option — Motion accepted unanimously to implement recommended plan for county employees.
- Invitation to Bid 25‑008 — award to CubSite Development Inc. for Hurricane Ian bridge repairs in estimated amount $437,212.83 — Motion to award and authorize county manager to execute contract; passed unanimously.
- RFQ 25‑006 — authorize negotiation and execution with The Lance Group for architectural/engineering services for new Sheriff’s Department administration building, contract not to exceed $600,000 — Motion approved unanimously.
- Resolution amending 2025 meeting calendar to convert certain workshops to regular meetings — Motion approved unanimously.

Several items required more discussion or were separately debated (see article on the anaerobic digester, the take‑home vehicle vote and the four‑day workweek proposal). Staff and presenters who summarized the grant and contract items included Topanga Arana (Grants Coordinator), Michelle McCreery (E911/Sheriff’s Office), Christopher Sempron (Assistant County Manager), and others; the board directed staff to proceed with execution of grant agreements and contracts where needed and to return where state approval or additional agreements (e.g., corner/ROW/bridge construction agreements) are required.

If readers need verbatim motions or official resolution numbers, the meeting minutes and staff packets contain the full lending documents and are part of the public record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hardee County - Hardee County Board of County Commissioners - Jun 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board unanimously approved consent and business-agenda items including multiple grant agreements, a bridge repair contract award and professional services authorization; this roundup lists each item, the motion and outcome.","taxTitle","Hardee County, Florida","taxId",72884,"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},6523504,"Proposal to restore 4‑day, 10‑hour workweek for Road & Bridge and Facilities fails 2–3",46,8634000,8680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5030964-ea411938e50149619b2aaea9749a3089&start=8634&end=8680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5030964-ea411938e50149619b2aaea9749a3089/thumbnail_8634000.jpg","/articles/6523504/Hardee-County/Florida/Proposal-to-restore-4day-10hour-workweek-for-Road-Bridge-and-Facilities-fails-23","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523504-2306daff16b3e6e8c215bba5527fa2ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088472&Signature=MQ4cUCjBYfSaEW01fIDis4n9L0T-LTCBEbmfWoa1jG3ws2UE5jejOqRyC2~hyxKMgyi1JfKRzQ5APQNt07znTO2YAgZ1mF7-dgmEPwEV9KfOp~XPadPiL62MwEArUkBSZUo86cPtvaD1Q95OiYGFrwPE8PlzZbWmDqNkpi-gvVP0tEWLj7SgHuKqpcleF5-hrRPKSF4TnxZYnK6ZBVL-I68zs4DS3wc85K1xnVCjF7iRfVlkLu7BHOQr3rwoAkCMYRTzdsB7bn0ilCfDqDcsbj3SuRrDUuuGSOKTIJDlqn0IT-7fHMa0eDvNDAzLjimME4OAM~QpCpgwzoIkdsVTOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A motion to restore a 4‑day, 10‑hour schedule for the Road & Bridge and Facilities departments on a six‑month trial failed by a 2–3 vote at the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners meeting.

Commissioner Wells moved to return Road & Bridge and Facilities to a rotating 4‑10 schedule for six months; Commissioner Chancy seconded. Supporters argued a 4‑10 schedule increases operational flexibility and employee work‑life balance, reduces midweek interruptions and was historically used in the county for about 17–18 years before being changed. Several public commenters and board members said past trials produced cost savings and improved productivity in some stretches.

Opponents cited the county’s payroll analysis showing an increase in overtime costs under the 4‑10 schedule (staff presented a figure of approximately a $70,000 increase in overtime for the compared period) and warned that emergency and permit work, storm response and service-level expectations would suffer if more staff were off on Mondays or Fridays. Commissioners also debated the data set used for comparison; some said hurricane response and comp‑time use skewed year‑to‑year comparisons and requested a more apples‑to‑apples analysis tied to the county manager’s tenure.

After extended discussion, commissioners voted against the motion (ayes: 2; nays: 3). Several commissioners said they remain open to management trials and that staff should continue monitoring productivity, overtime and service metrics and report back if a future trial or targeted pilot is appropriate.

The decision leaves the county’s current work schedule in place and directs staff to continue tracking operational metrics and report back with clarified data if requested.","A proposal to return Road & Bridge and Facilities to a 4‑day, 10‑hour schedule on a six‑month trial failed 2–3 after commissioners debated productivity, overtime costs and how hurricane response skewed comparative data.",{"_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},6523508,"Hardee County limits take‑home county vehicles to two building inspectors and one on‑call service truck",2753,4587000,7340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5030964-ea411938e50149619b2aaea9749a3089&start=4587&end=7340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5030964-ea411938e50149619b2aaea9749a3089/thumbnail_4587000.jpg","/articles/6523508/Hardee-County/Florida/Hardee-County-limits-takehome-county-vehicles-to-two-building-inspectors-and-one-oncall-service-truck","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523508-7057b82d77cfe432f61d9608ae8cb021/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088472&Signature=CqXD6cx27FV6ZkfTvo1TkgDLpSiojDlrGwtBJWeXGS70Oopd6rLtthfopLjEcuxqiWlL551-PiNqzU9XyCuax9RVth2K3xrHSmIGPVnFpXvDBWZ9ANargKzWNWLQUL4f57E4wtlMdh1-DJFS3wsrQn3U6EGY72qSrLsW8QJ~c2z3n4TfYxAIBSnR3r3emZZu6rC-fKWe3OmVSnOpx7NWi~DyGIQDqM792BImYv2GG2GDmBKVG-1Dwbz9WWSe1LjcKvKryeD2QVUdYCbY7bDEVIshKvLI68goubYhVl-Zyw2QebhB7sop3AWnjE6IwNVR~2OR-xfpWSU-EVi8ac6orw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hardee County Board of County Commissioners voted 3–2 to end most county take‑home vehicles but exempted two building inspectors and a designated on‑call, outfitted service vehicle.

The board spent more than an hour debating the policy’s tradeoffs — cost, employee recruitment and retention, liability for after‑hours responses, and the county manager’s contract. Commissioner Wells made the motion to eliminate take‑home vehicles except for two building department inspectors and one on‑call maintenance/service vehicle; Commissioner Chancy seconded. After discussion and amendments the board carried the motion by a 3–2 vote.

Supporters of the restriction argued take‑home vehicles impose ongoing costs (fuel, maintenance, depreciation) and raise liability exposure when used outside county business; some commissioners said limiting take‑home privileges would improve public perception of stewardship of tax dollars. Opponents urged that a small number of take‑home vehicles is an important recruitment and retention tool, that certain positions (on‑call utilities, fire/EMS leadership and road crews) require immediate response capability, and that altering take‑home rules can undermine morale if not managed carefully.

The county attorney noted the county manager has a separate employment agreement that currently authorizes a take‑home vehicle; commissioners discussed that the manager’s contract would have to be amended separately if they wanted to remove that benefit. Commissioners also discussed a variety of implementation approaches, including payroll withholding for personal use, limiting vehicles to service/outfitted trucks for on‑call employees, and exceptions for true 24/7 emergency response roles.

The board did not provide a written implementation schedule at the meeting; staff was asked to follow up with a scrubbed list of current take‑home vehicles, and to return with a clarified policy and implementation plan for board review. The county attorney advised that removing take‑home privileges for employees who are officially on-call can have liability and insurance implications; staff was directed to consider those issues in the implementation plan.

The motion carried 3–2. The record shows both the substance of commissioners’ concerns (cost, liability, morale) and that the county manager’s employment agreement remains a separate contractual matter unaffected by this vote unless the board directs contract amendment in a subsequent action.","After extended debate about costs, liability and employee recruitment, the board voted 3–2 to ban most county take‑home vehicles while exempting two building inspectors and one on‑call service vehicle; the county manager’s vehicle remains governed by his employment agreement.",{"_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},6523513,"Hardee County approves special exception for anaerobic digester on Lochler Road",2187,555000,2742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5030964-ea411938e50149619b2aaea9749a3089&start=555&end=2742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5030964-ea411938e50149619b2aaea9749a3089/thumbnail_555000.jpg","/articles/6523513/Hardee-County/Florida/Hardee-County-approves-special-exception-for-anaerobic-digester-on-Lochler-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523513-f4c2b02aa405b8d6c79e49fbc440f2bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088472&Signature=ZwdC0Hn3YZyrFtK6EL1lEkY6PR0wfp1CQ0rzeNS2y9yKoDxSONNJ3P2UQ0VqbUg5RE-6ZmuUs9z4ri65PYQvQIaG579w0FmWqBBJYiCuDPjxuFOYujVLop8Wrwov2f5IhaAN8ZKyKh8H273RS-YnofYzahVCCGutT6OR~448mYtCCaB-donU451YnZAUwN8dDh8XGbNw44XipD347S12hkeMpO9p2Whbfn~-5YQeMnHENaF2XGI7sfPsi1~CfO7ZfPdrLo478YjK8DHzLlne8ZGnnmL-1RwM5dkXzXduZ4FPxqttEmdZLQKugmqWwB5o3C2EKdii323kfPv6SOABPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hardee County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday approved a special exception for Johnson Hardy Holdings LLC to construct an anaerobic digester facility on about 160 acres at the south terminus of Lochler Road, east of Bowling Green.

Community Development Director Todd Miller told the board the property is zoned A-1 (agriculture) and that Planning & Zoning and staff had found the application met the special-exception standards in Unified Land Development Code section 9.08.04. Miller said the development would include two enclosed digesters, a warehouse/unloading building, office space and storage tanks; deliveries would be limited to 6 a.m.–6 p.m. and staff estimated about 30 truck trips per day. Miller also recommended a condition of approval requiring initiation of the special exception within 12 months (initiation defined as pulling an operating permit).

Applicant representatives explained operational and environmental controls. Matteo Sampaio and engineer Drew Wishman said incoming food waste would be unloaded in a receiving building where packaging and inorganics would be removed; liquids would be pumped to a hydrolysis tank, heated to about 105°F for five days, then fed to digesters that retain material about 30 days at ~105°F. The resulting biogas was described as roughly 65% methane and 35% CO2; onsite equipment called an upgrader would raise methane concentration to 97%+ for pipeline injection to the Gulf Stream line to the north. The applicant said a short initial commissioning period (about six months) will require flaring of gas until the upgrader reaches steady operation.

The applicant said solids separated from the digestate would be usable as a soil amendment or farm bedding and that recovered liquid would be stored onsite — the storage tanks were described as sized for up to six months of holding — and then land-applied on the applicant’s fields by Steve Johnson under a fertilizer license. The applicant said manure would make up only about 1% of the feedstock and that biosolids/sewage sludge would not be accepted. Speakers described multiple permitting steps already in progress or required, including a state air-permit (for emissions and a scrub/biofilter), environmental resource permitting for stormwater, and solid-waste permitting; the applicant said all incoming loads would be contracted and tested before delivery.

Commissioners asked about safety and nuisance risks. The applicant said digesters are enclosed and operate at low pressure (about 5 psi), the site will include carbon/biofilters to reduce odors and hydrogen sulfide, and there will be continuous monitoring and redundant carbon filters. A flare was described as the emergency device for excess gas. The applicant also described hiring plans — about 100 construction jobs during peak construction and roughly 8–10 permanent operations jobs — and said feedstock sourcing is typically within a roughly 100‑mile radius for financial feasibility.

Planning staff recommended approval with the time‑limit condition and the board voted to approve the special exception (motion by Commissioner Flores; second by Commissioner Wells). The board made no additional conditions during the vote. The permit and operations will be subject to county and state environmental and solid-waste permit approvals and any required right‑of‑way work on the single‑lane bridge accessing Lochler Road, which the applicant said it would replace at its own cost with a construction and maintenance agreement.

The board’s action was the outcome of a quasi‑judicial hearing; staff and the applicant entered reports and testimony into the record and witnesses were sworn. The approval authorizes county staff to move forward with required permits and agreements but does not itself substitute for or grant any required state permits.","The Hardee County Commission unanimously approved a special exception for Johnson Hardy Holdings LLC to build an anaerobic digester facility on 160 acres off Lochler Road after a lengthy quasi‑judicial hearing and detailed technical questions from commissioners and staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Hardee County commissioners approve grants, contracts and calendar updates

Proposal to restore 4‑day, 10‑hour workweek for Road & Bridge and Facilities fails 2–3

Hardee County limits take‑home county vehicles to two building inspectors and one on‑call service truck

Hardee County approves special exception for anaerobic digester on Lochler Road