Jennifer J Battista

The Council meeting featured the presentation of the Margaret Ghiotto Commercial Improvement Award, various staff STAR Awards, and a proclamation for Florida City Government Week. Public and council discussion addressed the review of impact fees. Appointments were made to the Beautification Board. Legislative actions included the passage of an ordinance to amend utility fee terminology from impact fees to connection fees and a resolution to defer impact fees for a housing development. The Council also approved construction-phase engineering services for the Cortez Boulevard Pump Station Upgrade and authorized a piggyback contract for surplus auction services.

The joint meeting focused on several intergovernmental topics. Key discussions included the America's 250th Anniversary Event, a presentation by Hernando County Development Services on growth and permitting processes, and an update on the Hernando County Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The City of Brooksville presented on a potential fire station or substation development on a three-acre parcel, and provided updates on community development projects and the North Avenue Sidewalk Project. The Hernando County School Board provided updates on the 2026 Capacity Project, the transformation of Eastside Elementary into a K-8 school, an Interlocal Agreement for School Planning, and a discussion regarding the use of school softball fields at Tom Varn Park.

The commission discussed a request to amend the City's Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map initiated by Coastal Waste and Recycling, Inc. The meeting also included deliberation on amending the Land Development Code to allow the Tree Mitigation Fund to be utilized for the removal of dead trees and trimming on public property and rights-of-way. Finally, the proposed South Brooksville Community Redevelopment Plan was reviewed for its consistency with the comprehensive plan.

The City Council meeting included several proclamations recognizing White Cane Awareness Day, the life of Sandra Knox, the life of Brenda Mobley, the PACE Center program, the 100th Anniversary of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Citizen input included a proposal for a memorial mural. Consent agenda items included approval for a replacement fuel truck, contract approvals for manufacturing and wastewater treatment supplies, and resolutions to close state roads for holiday events. Public hearings were held regarding a zoning map amendment for a multifamily development project, the creation of a share plan component for the firefighters' pension fund, and an ordinance to correct terminology regarding utility connection fees.

The City Council meeting addressed multiple items including the adoption of a proclamation for Small Business Saturday and the approval of a consent agenda featuring an interlocal wholesale wastewater agreement and a school concurrency certificate. The council held a public hearing regarding a voluntary annexation and passed the first reading of the associated ordinance. Additionally, they approved a final reading of an ordinance amending the comprehensive plan with text regarding residential land use. Other business included authorizing a piggyback contract with Southern Disaster Recovery for debris removal, selecting a design for a new standardized city trash bin, and approving various fiscal year budget amendments across multiple city departments.