Citrus County hears stark pavement report, delays sales-tax vote pending voter research
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Summary
Consultants told the board the county’s pavement condition index averages 55.4 and backlog exceeds $700 million. Commissioners asked staff to run the new pavement-management software unconstrained using current FY funding; commissioners tabled a sales-tax ordinance to await fully funded market research from Trust for Public Land.
Katia Delgado of Mott MacDonald told the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners the countywide pavement-condition index (PCI) averages 55.37, a level the consultant categorized as “poor,” and that backlog for repairs exceeds roughly $700 million, mostly for reconstruction. The board received 10-year funding scenarios showing current funding (about $16 million annually) would let the network continue to decline, while $45 million–$65 million over the decade would bring the network into satisfactory or good condition.
Delgado said the analysis was performed in“today’s dollars” with no inflation assumptions and that the pavement-management software can run “constrained” or “unconstrained” scenarios depending on board direction. She described the tool as producing an optimized mix of preservation, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects tailored to an input budget.
Commissioners pressed for detail on what the scenarios would actually deliver each year. Commissioner Janet Barrick noted county budgets historically have been far less than the high-end scenarios and urged realistic planning: “If we don’t get the referendum, we’re back to $6 million,” she said. Commissioner Holly Lee Davis and others argued the software should be allowed to identify the best mix of projects for the dollars the county has; Davis proposed the unconstrained run paid for by the county’s investment in the system and argued it will help staff stretch available funds.
After extended discussion the board reached a consensus to allow staff to run the pavement-management system without additional constraints beyond the budget figure provided, and to return with recommended projects tied to whatever funding level the board chooses.
The pavement discussion prompted a wider debate about financing. Commissioner Davis said she had secured an offer from the Trust for Public Land to fund market research—telephone interviews and voter testing—to shape referendum language for a potential one-cent local option sales tax. Commissioners split on how to proceed. Barrick and others warned the market research may test multiple combinations (roads, parks, conservation, schools), which risks diluting a residential-roads-only ask; Davis said having current, professional polling would reduce the chance of placing a nonviable proposal on the ballot. The board voted 4–1 to table the public-hearing item on the sales-tax ordinance and pursue the independent research and outreach first.
Separately, the board approved a Florida Department of Transportation Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) agreement to mill and resurface South Apopka Avenue (East Anna Joe Drive to U.S. 41). FDOT will fund $11,222,702 of the project; Citrus County’s participation is $570,595. Chair Diana Finnegan signed the resolution authorizing execution.
What’s next: staff will run constrained/unconstrained scenarios in the pavement-management system and return with a recommended 10-year work plan and project list. The sales-tax measure will be revisited after market research results are delivered and reviewed by the board.
