[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",6513946,"mediaKeyId","5065645-1538d3949c5d62b184e44c661ce87b6f","parentId",5065645,"title","Hernando County fleet growth modest as commissioners weigh vehicle use and EV infrastructure","audioSeconds",1052,"startMs",2771000,"endMs",3823000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065645-1538d3949c5d62b184e44c661ce87b6f&start=2771&end=3823","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065645-1538d3949c5d62b184e44c661ce87b6f/thumbnail_2771000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6513946/Hernando-County/Florida/Hernando-County-fleet-growth-modest-as-commissioners-weigh-vehicle-use-and-EV-infrastructure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513946-da0319f5256ebf9cc0f6973c7a560a3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775524459&Signature=gcZS5Od0Rzn7jHLfsh2FErZXudfYxK5JPw9MRMU2uyRseL9RcUNF~mt4qOHjodGFPNznEMhUMHNSBmFvYvylt9~hsYPOx5K3aN-9LUIIsIsk2kYgiaZ9KDCBnhX~snDQtYHTz1Vep5f0glob5-OTY2TnWXUC2uAfTqGiCL9UIC83UiyqCxx6W7fws~euy3UlgdT8D5ml17FF-5L8YvPVntPs6D4wQJwBxHVg9YIa4VRcECghiF4l1Gw6KJCbOiI5MphLXqCTt9ONyH7W-z53W7apwGYC22j1z3CtcvJPPumETmXzJOJV~dPnPvNj9iE4~CVw1aTyvjA~zWSW6zTC3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hernando County","date","2025-06-24T13:52:00Z","article","Doug Livermore, the county's fleet manager, presented vehicle and fuel data to commissioners at the June 20 budget workshop and urged further analysis on usage patterns, replacement timing and electric-vehicle planning.

Livermore said asset growth has been steady: \"Since I started in August, we were at 738 vehicles, and right now, we're about 753.\" He reported recent purchases and projections: FY2023 purchases totaled 90 vehicles for just over $10,000,000; FY2024 purchases numbered 82 for about $10.6 million; and FY2025 purchases are budgeted at 90 vehicles for approximately $14.1 million, driven in part by more heavy equipment this year.

Fuel expenditures and volumes showed notable year-to-year changes in staff slides: FY2023 fuel costs were about $1.7 million, FY2024 about $1.4 million, and FY2025 was at roughly $1.0 million year-to-date. Staff noted FY2023 used about 222,000 gallons; commissioners asked for analysis to explain reductions and whether changes reflect fewer vehicle miles, equipment changes or other operational shifts.

Commissioners suggested the county examine which positions need assigned vehicles and whether mileage reimbursement or shared-vehicle models could reduce costs. One commissioner asked the administration for a departmental list of vehicle assignments and the job functions that justify those assignments.

The fleet presentation also included a proposed reclassification (an asset-information specialist to asset coordinator) and a consultation line item to study electric-vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure. Commissioner Ocaca (name as spoken in the workshop) asked whether the EV consultation would include charging and solar/energy-storage planning; county staff confirmed the consultant scope would cover charging infrastructure, depot design and options for solar offsets.

Livermore said staff will return with a more detailed vehicle-assignment list, further analysis of fuel trends and proposals for the EV assessment as part of the FY2026 recommended budget materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hernando County - Board of County Commissioners Budget Workshop on 2025-06-24 1:30 PM - Budget Workshop - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Fleet manager reported steady asset growth and rising procurement costs; commissioners asked for an analysis of assigned vehicles, mileage alternatives and infrastructure requirements for a possible electric fleet.","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},6513950,"Solid waste budget trims operating costs; commissioners revisit incinerator, composting and RNG options",2343,2247000,4590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065645-1538d3949c5d62b184e44c661ce87b6f&start=2247&end=4590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065645-1538d3949c5d62b184e44c661ce87b6f/thumbnail_2247000.jpg","/articles/6513950/Hernando-County/Florida/Solid-waste-budget-trims-operating-costs-commissioners-revisit-incinerator-composting-and-RNG-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513950-3728da2480bdc112a5c747eb52416331/orig.mp4?Expires=1775524459&Signature=gyTfGymKrHEk26QIPErZQkTzpE7ZYiJrX3TuRvMMiX3oO1CqFrKU6DnOvsujIQ2J2qyujsYH0mEM8-GyJjd19Fzlwgy7MwOtyXeh6S4p0gCdF3qoMJ0lC61O1hNMSm3d1JgGVERQOMp6pok98ET-a-KhABSEvKFxTYBHjLTwClf5j2Q5V4TX5HY5P-lCZMt-n04Chb3Gf17f8BIF6A6adupy5dYEF9zHfD3sibRcwW2qKf4n-h3vNJ52k8Pk4Wkk1OFNfHk28na-hrsY460hrJbBnOf8MJM5Ravk5M6XisNc-4KdoJ2oyWTUuFshwEnr-qgW2z2-3kHefP0Gz2XoEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Solid waste staff told the board the department's operating-plus-personnel budget is expected to fall because of recent contract changes and program adjustments while capital obligations (including the next landfill cell) remain significant.

Gordon presented the solid waste portion of the FY2026 draft, highlighting a new recycling processing contract that the county's presentation listed at $45 per ton versus a previous contract near $90 per ton. \"Our previous contract was, like, $90 a ton,\" Gordon said. He also said composting of yard waste and lower hauling expenses will reduce operating costs.

Commissioner Champion urged the county to study waste-to-energy incineration as a longer-term option, citing potential reductions in landfill volume and energy generation. \"We could eliminate basically the recycling program because you can recycle all the metal anyway, and then you turn all the other stuff into fuel that makes power,\" Champion said in the workshop. He and other commissioners discussed the possibility of regional partnerships with neighboring counties to make any large facility viable.

County staff and other commissioners raised regulatory and cost questions. Gordon cautioned that emerging regulations for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) complicate incineration: \"PFAS is... big topic. And, so, you know, there's upcoming regulations on that. So there's a lot of factors you mentioned, correct, about us having enough to to have an incinerator to make it worthwhile... incinerating does not get rid of the PFAS,\" he said.

On landfill gas and alternative revenue streams, staff said the county is preparing an RFP to solicit proposals for converting landfill gas to renewable natural gas (RNG) after a generation contract with Arkea was flagged for termination. \"We're gonna solicit that out... to do RNG,\" staff said, describing an upcoming procurement process to determine cost-sharing and private-operator proposals.

Gordon noted capital needs remain substantial: the workshop materials list a new landfill cell (cell 4) cost in the tens of millions of dollars (staff referenced roughly $30,000,000 as a near-term capital item), and commissioners stressed regional coordination and grant-seeking would be required for more ambitious alternatives.

Staff will return with RFP language and additional capital and operating estimates as part of the FY2026 recommended budget process.","Solid waste staff proposed lower operating costs driven by a new recycling-processing contract and improved composting; commissioners discussed longer-term options, including incineration and converting landfill gas to renewable natural gas via an RFP.",{"_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},6513955,"Hernando County utilities propose operating cuts, add meter technicians and locators",1745,863000,2608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065645-1538d3949c5d62b184e44c661ce87b6f&start=863&end=2608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065645-1538d3949c5d62b184e44c661ce87b6f/thumbnail_863000.jpg","/articles/6513955/Hernando-County/Florida/Hernando-County-utilities-propose-operating-cuts-add-meter-technicians-and-locators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513955-22cc44b50025324858e5bed6fe559f49/orig.mp4?Expires=1775524459&Signature=Zr2ylsIkxETHmcCsKAb4oWJaWXcGsNsNjZGrmjNflHoLJ9FAH2kNLIpsSuPXmbVij6yWkQSCA2tEbkvoOFdV7Eeec369F42ewNJMdo9Zd2vIp7PZYz7h3MBzI7-y9lw1hnHuTg7cZELHOmxj-zIeyCuBdEqZiJtdKEBPgCU3zcnMRfG6Gnvqora~DtwzvjnzImgamMYJ38fBs~x5~EWy~ksBD2ZMGYU9UhUpE6mNwesoUDXTJWlCv~E1X8KDESMA2gnGds0ZjpgH02CcicOb9ajLWeb340lvQHZXz8WX5EI9itjH8YJcsQd-0NvG2bCJb~~4v2zpgjYaxQoac3jIFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gordon (identified in the workshop as the county's utilities director) told commissioners Hernando County's water and sewer operation is financially strong and that Fitch reaffirmed the system's rating. \"The AAA water and sewer revenue bond rating reflects the system's exceptionally strong financial profile,\" Gordon said while reviewing the department's fiscal 2026 proposal on June 20.

Gordon presented the department's operating-plus-personnel summary, saying the line items that staff consider discretionary are roughly $39,780,000 in the current year and that the proposed budget shows \"we're proposing actually 2.3% decrease.\" He said the proposed staffing count for utilities would rise from a historical baseline of 142 full-time equivalents to 153.65 in the FY2026 proposal; the director said four of the requested additional positions are meter technicians.

Gordon said the county is replacing a large number of aging meters and that the meter-replacement workload has roughly doubled since fiscal 2022. He described the proposed meter technicians as mobile technicians who would both diagnose and replace meters in a single visit to reduce duplicate truck rolls and avoid long customer back-billing cycles. Gordon said staff expect to replace roughly 5,700 meters in the coming cycle out of an approximate 70,000 meters countywide.

Commissioners questioned whether meters or communications could flag failing batteries remotely. Commissioner Champion pressed that the lack of a battery-life signal increases the risk that a household will accumulate months of unbilled consumption and then face a large correction, saying, \"If you can't get a signal that tells you it's dead, you're running the risk of somebody getting a massive bill.\"

Other personnel requests included two wastewater-collection-system workers to handle a growing number of pump stations being turned over to the county and a proposal to create a utility-locate crew to streamline locating underground utilities while large fiber and development projects proceed. Gordon also proposed reclassifying an administrative position into an asset-management supervisor to improve GIS and asset tracking and speed billing updates when meters are swapped.

Gordon said consolidation of treatment capacity (reducing the number of neighborhood plants) and earlier debt restructuring have helped utility finances; he described a $1.5 million annual savings from prior debt refinancing the utility realized after the 2020 refinancing.

The requested personnel and reclassification changes will be included in the recommended budget staff will present on July 10. Commissioners asked for more detail on the proposed reclasses and the projected timing for meter swaps and utility-locate work.","Utilities director said water/sewer operating-plus-personnel costs are projected to fall 2.3% year over year, while the department requests several new or reclassified positions to reduce backlogs and improve asset data.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513960,"Hernando County warns reserves will fall short if FEMA reimbursements slow",0,241000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065645-1538d3949c5d62b184e44c661ce87b6f&start=241&end=241","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065645-1538d3949c5d62b184e44c661ce87b6f/thumbnail_241000.jpg","/articles/6513960/Hernando-County/Florida/Hernando-County-warns-reserves-will-fall-short-if-FEMA-reimbursements-slow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513960-4d19e6f7ba0d8cfaa5e2748c39b767d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775524459&Signature=Rinu7IRMHvSGcmATLfgE-8URjxaMxgo1oKpBDEWZIsDxO6VPAjVyotFm6426p8GYTQ3nnNmu6IlxWtTJC6ExUfY3Xze4k~fFIPaxIjN~jyz38MhmTqnU-NEnv5BNU8~COzTdvJysuDDsYLrbAgXe0B2KQ79kOHfirmNrJvLoUMqCD6fyiCARSdYBVHaa8329F7wsWdvUXAbRg5QOPs322h9CoUnJPU0RO2qzdIFRvgeyAwss08CzHNo0jZZ8OQbAJl9MHzO-g7Uwi3vE2FVDX526cSfoMupuIycS4exWoJOxMZ4eA5Cioo-BVj4l7yq87ETEmKSJ0zMxIIZjQl14Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hernando County budget staff reported that the recommended fiscal 2026 budget will meet the county's minimum reserve policy but is unlikely to reach the board's 25% reserve goal if FEMA reimbursements continue to slow. The presentation and discussion took place during a June 20 budget workshop of the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners.

Albert Ford, a staff member and the workshop's budget presenter, told the commission the county's current total budget stands at about $951,000,000 and that \"you can see the current status, of your, reserves at 21.37%.\" He said the board's 25% reserve objective would require roughly $6,600,000 more than the county currently projects.

The county reported two large storm responses last year that together cost more than $16,000,000. Ford said the county received an initial FEMA payment two days before the workshop that improved the near-term reserve projection, but staff warned additional FEMA reimbursements remain uncertain. \"There are still some payments out there,\" Ford said, and FEMA reviews \"are significantly slowed up and a lot of projects going there.\" He told the board he expects the recommended budget to be within the county's minimum policy (above 18.5%) but that the 25% goal will likely not be reached when the recommended budget is presented July 10.

Commissioners pressed staff on contingency planning if federal reimbursements decline. Commissioner Champion said the county should consider whether storm-related debris removal and other recovery costs should be financed differently if FEMA changes its reimbursement approach: \"If FEMA does change, I think that'll change, you might have to have a millage that's dedicated to storm...debris removal or something like that,\" he said during the public discussion portion of the workshop.

Board members also discussed whether debris collection following storms should remain a county-provided service or be more narrowly targeted to properties in flood-prone zones. Administrator Rogers noted public-health and safety implications where unrecovered debris creates hazards in neighborhoods, but commissioners signaled they want a policy discussion before committing additional recurring funding.

The county will present a recommended budget to the board on July 10 and continue line-by-line workshops. Staff said they will include the current reserve projection and any updated FEMA reimbursements when they return with the recommended budget.

Votes and formal actions at the start of the workshop were limited to procedural items: the board approved the meeting agenda by motion from Commissioner Alaco, seconded by Commissioner Champion; the motion passed.","County staff told commissioners the recommended FY2026 budget will likely meet policy minimums but fall short of the board's 25% reserve goal if federal disaster reimbursements slow; commissioners discussed whether debris removal should be a localized responsibility if FEMA changes policy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hernando County fleet growth modest as commissioners weigh vehicle use and EV infrastructure

Solid waste budget trims operating costs; commissioners revisit incinerator, composting and RNG options

Hernando County utilities propose operating cuts, add meter technicians and locators

Hernando County warns reserves will fall short if FEMA reimbursements slow