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Hernando commissioners agree to meet with Brooksville after city makes decision on fire services
Summary
Hernando County commissioners said they will host a joint meeting with the City of Brooksville to discuss a possible consolidation of fire services and a temporary wastewater agreement, but asked the city first to make a policy decision about moving forward.
Hernando County commissioners said they will meet with the City of Brooksville to discuss a possible consolidation of fire services and a temporary wastewater agreement, but asked the city first to make a firm decision about whether it wants to proceed.
The commission did not vote on an interlocal agreement at its Aug. 5 land‑use hearing; instead commissioners agreed to place the joint meeting on a future agenda after Brooksville’s city council has taken a clear position. Toni Brady, county staff, told the board the city’s mayor requested a joint meeting to discuss a proposed transition of Brooksville’s fire department to county operation and other items that could be advantageous to both governments.
Brady said county and city staff are drafting a contract that would govern an initial contract‑for‑service year followed by inclusion of the city in Hernando County’s fire service funding mechanism if Brooksville chooses consolidation. She also told the board Brooksville has asked Hernando County to provide wastewater service to part of the city temporarily — potentially a decade — while the city upgrades its treatment plant and expands capacity. County staff said any wastewater agreement would specify a bulk wastewater rate and contain protections so the county would not be a permanent long‑term utility provider for the city.
Several commissioners urged Brooksville’s council to make a clear policy decision before a joint meeting is held. Commissioner Loco and others said the county’s MSBU (municipal service benefit unit) and MSTU (municipal service taxing unit) funding mechanisms already define how county fire and EMS services are funded and billed, and they cautioned about spending large amounts of staff time if the city’s council remains divided. Commissioner Champion said consolidation could reduce costs for Brooksville residents and improve operational mapping and response if the two systems were combined.
County staff said it would provide both boards a draft agreement and cost estimate for wastewater infrastructure improvements and a bulk rate the city would pay for capacity the county provides. Commissioners said they are willing to meet with Brooksville once the city council adopts a motion or otherwise signals a clear path forward.
No formal action or vote was taken by the commission at the Aug. 5 hearing to execute an interlocal agreement; the board only agreed to schedule a joint meeting after the city has determined how it wishes to proceed.
What’s next: County staff will continue work on draft interlocal language for fire‑services consolidation and a temporary wastewater agreement and will return to the board once Brooksville indicates ready to meet.
