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Commissioners adopt 2026 legislative priorities package to take to Tallahassee
Summary
The board unanimously adopted the county's 2026 legislative priorities, including court/judicial expansion items, road projects and campground appropriation requests, with staff to finalize wording before delegation meetings.
The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted its 2026 legislative priorities package at its Oct. 21 meeting.
County Administrator Steve Howard and staff presented updates to the draft priorities before the board, including edited language to clarify the county’s local investment on a judicial and government space expansion request and revised wording for the County Road 491 roadway project (the board asked staff to seek special consideration rather than a straight appropriations request). The package also added a proposed appropriation request for the Chassahowitzka River campground and other projects.
Commissioners asked staff to change references that might imply “no local match” for the judicial expansion and to show the county’s $8.1 million investment to date, which staff agreed to revise before the formal delegation meeting. Public commenters during the legislative‑priorities public hearing voiced support for the Homosassa River restoration request and for a $1.5 million request for a regional public safety training center, which the Sheriff’s Office and emergency services representatives said would support training coordination among public-safety partners.
After brief public comment, Commissioner Jeff Kennard moved, and Commissioner Holly Davis seconded, a motion to adopt the amended package; the motion passed 5‑0. Staff said they will submit the final package to the county’s delegation and share materials with legislators ahead of meetings.
Why it matters: The legislative priorities outline Citrus County’s funding requests and policy asks for the 2026 Florida legislative session. The board’s edits aim to improve the chances of support by clarifying local investment and by asking for “special consideration” on selected transportation items rather than formal appropriations where stakeholders recommended different tactics.
Actions: Motion to adopt the 2026 Citrus County legislative priorities as amended — mover: Commissioner Jeff Kennard; second: Commissioner Holly Davis; outcome: approved 5-0.
