Hardee County delegation meeting highlights $12 million school renovation request, health and rural services funding needs

Wauchula, Hardee County — Local elected officials, school and hospital leaders and nonprofit representatives asked the Hardee County legislative delegation on [date not specified] for state funding and policy support for a package of local projects and programs, including a $12 million request to renovate the county's original high school, expanded mobile health services and aid for rural conservation districts.

The requests and updates were presented to Senate President Ben Albritton and Representative Kaylee Tuck during the delegation's annual meeting in Wauchula. Speakers emphasized improvements to local government efficiency, school safety and health access as reasons for state assistance.

Sonia Bennett, superintendent of the Hardee County School District, told the delegation "we're seeking $12,000,000 to refurbish the original Hardee Senior High School" and described plans to consolidate district offices currently spread across four buildings. Bennett said the project would include site work, structural upgrades, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements, modern electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems, and a $1,500,000 renovation of the on-site Joe Evers gymnasium. She also proposed adding an on-site medical clinic and upgraded emergency responder communications (BDA) as part of the project.

Why it matters: Bennett said the renovation would centralize services for parents and staff, preserve a landmark built in 1948, and reduce overhead by consolidating four district facilities into one.

Health providers and nonprofits described recent state-funded additions and continuing needs. Kristen Johnson, director at AdventHealth Wauchula, thanked the delegation for two state appropriations that funded a mobile mammography unit and a mobile MRI unit. "From January to July, we have performed 693 MRIs right here in Hardee County. Last year at this time we performed 78," Johnson said, citing the increased access generated by the mobile unit. She also described an awarded rural hospital infrastructure grant to install two 40-foot container hydroponic farms to grow produce for patient meals and local food programs, estimating each unit will produce about 750 heads of lettuce a week and use about five gallons of water daily.

United Way of Central Florida reported a state appropriation of $250,000 to launch the Thrive Together End Hunger and Wellness Navigation program serving Hardee and Highlands counties; Christina Jackson of United Way said the funding supports food distribution and community wellness navigators.

Behavioral health and dental access were also on the agenda. Jason Samples of the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network reminded the delegation his organization oversees prevention and treatment services and said recent recurring funding expansions enabled a new mobile response team in Hardee County. Advocacy groups and local dental providers urged the delegation to back legislation authorizing a mid-level dental provider, commonly called a dental therapist. Raquel Tejeda, director of dental hygiene providers at Central Florida HealthCare, described dental therapists as "a rigorously educated, clinically trained provider" who would expand basic dental access under dentist supervision; she said expanded licensing would be optional for practices.

Agricultural and local-government infrastructure issues drew discussion. Susie Bishop of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts said 15 "compliant" districts are supporting a draft bill that would regionalize some districts after an OPPAGA audit found compliance gaps statewide; she cited $133,400,000 invested in ag cost-share projects over the last decade and an estimated $354,000,000 economic impact tied to those projects. Municipal leaders including Olivia Minshew, city manager of Wauchula, and Sam Fite, mayor of Bowling Green, urged protection of local authority (home rule), preservation of community redevelopment tools (CRAs) and protection of local revenue streams from state preemption or unfunded mandates.

Private-sector updates included Charter Communications' introduction of new broadband and mobile service in parts of Hardee County and a pledge to coordinate with county emergency operations for storm response.

No formal votes were taken during the meeting; the session was a series of project requests, status updates and legislative appeals to the delegation.

Speakers (selection): Sonia Bennett, superintendent, Hardee County School District; Kristen Johnson, AdventHealth Wauchula director; Ben Albritton, Senate President; Kaylee Tuck, State Representative; Russell Malindy, chair, Hardee County Commission; Olivia Minshew, city manager, Wauchula; Sam Fite, mayor, Bowling Green; Susie Bishop, Soil and Water Conservation District; Jason Samples, Central Florida Behavioral Health Network; Raquel Tejeda, director of dental hygiene providers, Central Florida HealthCare; Christina Jackson, United Way of Central Florida.

What comes next: Presenters asked the delegation to carry project requests and policy priorities to the 2026 legislative session. Senate President Ben Albritton closed the meeting by underscoring the delegation's focus on rural needs and saying the legislature would seek a measured approach on property-tax relief to avoid harming local government services.

Ending: The delegation did not make appropriations at the meeting; presenters asked members to pursue funding and policy changes in Tallahassee in the coming session.