Commission discusses expanding mandatory countywide trash collection; ordinance to authorize expansion fails 3–2

The Hernando County commission on Jan. 14 considered an ordinance (referred to in the record as 2025‑2) that would have authorized expansion of the county’s universal solid-waste collection district and placed standard residential curbside service on residents’ property tax bills. The board declined to adopt the ordinance in a roll-call vote (3–2: Campbell voted yes; Commissioners Ansler, Alaco, Champion and Chairman Hawkins voted no), after extensive public comment and a lengthy discussion among commissioners.

What was proposed: Staff described two proposed expansion areas — an area including Hernando Beach, Pine Island and Weeki Wachee (described in staff slides as roughly “55 100 homes”) and a second area north and east of US 41 (described as roughly “57 100 homes”) — plus a list of larger subdivisions…