Citrus County, water district settle long-running Chazewitzka boat-ramp dispute

Citrus County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a settlement agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District that ends years of litigation over the Chazewitzka boat ramp.

Why it matters: The settlement resolves a dispute that the county described as beginning in 2019 over the public’s right to use a county boat ramp on the Chazewitzka River. Commissioners and county attorneys called the agreement a practical outcome that protects public access without a prolonged and costly trial.

Details: County attorney and outside counsel briefed the board and described a multi-year process that included mediation and litigation. Commissioner Jeff Kennard praised the result and thanked both legal teams for avoiding a long trial. “When government sues government, the people lose,” Kennard said, adding that cooler heads prevailed and that the outcome was “a win for not just Citrus County voters, but the public in general to continue to have access to the Chazewitzka River.”

Outside counsel who handled the matter for the county told commissioners that the negotiated settlement secured for the public “everything that we would have asked for and hoped for in a court decision,” and thanked the district for cooperating to avoid further litigation.

Public comment: The board opened the matter for public comment and received none before the vote.

Action taken: The board voted 5–0 to authorize the chair to sign the settlement agreement and carry out the terms described in the agreement, as summarized to the board. Commissioners directed staff to memorialize the agreement and proceed with any implementation steps required.

Ending: Commissioners and their counsel framed the settlement as a practical resolution that maintains public access and avoids the time and cost of extended litigation, a point that several members emphasized as beneficial to taxpayers and boaters alike.