Citrus County commissioners agree five 2025 priorities; staff to return with timelines and funding

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners on the retreat agenda reached consensus to pursue five primary targets for action in 2025 and asked staff to return with deliverables, timelines and funding plans.

Commissioners and staff identified the five priorities as: executing the Beautify Citrus State Road 44 project, moving forward utilities installation at Holder Industrial Park, modernizing the land development code (with a possible review of the Comprehensive Plan), completing a Cardinal Corridor alignment study (with State Road 495 as a stretch goal) and advancing pre-construction and construction for courthouse courtroom expansion. Veronica (staff member) read the consolidated list to the board and asked staff to carry the items forward with action steps.

The board’s decision follows hours of presentations and discussion on projects and tools that county staff say will guide growth and spending in the next several years. Erin Doran, the county’s management and budget director, told commissioners that the county already has funding programmed for parts of the courthouse expansion: about $2.9 million in fiscal 2025 and a proposed additional roughly $3.5 million in fiscal 2026 to support construction or the second-floor build-out of the courthouse.

County Administrator Steve Howard framed the retreat around executing the county’s strategic plan and improving accountability and performance reporting. He told commissioners that staff will return with specific milestones and funding recommendations for the items the board prioritized. "What gets measured gets done," Howard said during the retreat.

In addition to the five priorities, staff listed several “management in progress” projects the county will continue to track, including Inverness Business Park US-41 access work, Port Citrus development and the concept of a regional evacuation shelter. Broadband expansion, a homeless shelter concept and a potential new park acquisition were placed “on the horizon” for future exploration rather than immediate action.

Commissioners emphasized keeping the number of formal targets small so staff can focus resources. Commissioner Kennard urged caution against mission creep and said the board must prioritize operations that county government is best placed to perform. Several commissioners said modernizing development rules and planning tools should proceed alongside decisions about roads, utilities and public facilities so that growth produces workforce and other housing and infrastructure in places the county can serve.

Staff said they will present recommended milestones, funding sources and short-term deliverables at a future meeting for the five agreed priorities.

The board adjourned to its regular meeting schedule; staff will return with action plans and funding options as requested.