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Citrus County Hospital Board plans legislative request to sunset hospital district and transfer properties
Summary
The Hospital Board told commissioners it will ask the Florida Legislature to sunset the hospital district by Dec. 31, 2026, and to transfer remaining properties to the county and city of Inverness as part of a negotiated wind‑down.
The Citrus County Hospital Board of Trustees reported to the Board of County Commissioners Oct. 21 that it intends to ask the Florida Legislature to sunset the hospital district no later than Dec. 31, 2026, and to transfer non‑city properties to the county and in‑city properties to the City of Inverness.
Hospital trustees said the district has been financially stabilized since the hospital lease to HCA in 2013 and recent litigation and audit matters have been settled. Under the board’s plan, the district would work with HCA and legal counsel to revise lease and master agreements and to negotiate transfers: properties not inside Inverness would be conveyed to the county and those inside city limits would convey to Inverness. The board said proceeds or remaining assets not earmarked for specific uses would transfer to the Citrus County Charitable Foundation or revert to the county per the district’s enabling documents and legislative action.
College of Central Florida officials appeared to thank the hospital board for its previous investment in CF nursing education and said they would like to extend cooperation to respiratory therapy education. Hospital board leaders said they will seek Baker Donelson counsel and continue negotiating with HCA and local governments and will pursue legislative approval for formal sunset and transfer.
Why it matters: Sunsetting a hospital district requires state legislative action. Board members argued the district has completed its purpose and that transferring properties to local governments simplifies long‑term governance and can free remaining assets for local health and education efforts.
Action: Hospital Board requested legislative sunset by Dec. 31, 2026; county commissioners were briefed and offered ongoing cooperation. No county action was required Oct. 21.
