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Plan Outlines Capital Improvement Projects

By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: December 8, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners Wednesday will consider approving an ordinance amending the capital improvements element of the county's comprehensive plan.

That plan contains improvement projects totaling $308 million.
Florida Statutes require the county to update the capital improvements element (CIE) every year. This time around, the plan is indicative of the faltering economy.

With fewer homes being built, the county is taking in less impact fee money, which goes toward funding many capital projects.

For taxpayers, it means driving down roads that won't get improved quite as soon as the county planned. It also means delaying planned improvements at local parks.

Each county department submits a summary of proposed changes to the CIE, which reflects fiscal years 2008 through 2013. This current amendment is for fiscal year 2009.

To maintain the level of service standards in the comprehensive plan, the county monitors the CIE for changes and reevaluations of the capital needs of public facilities.

Completed projects are removed from the capital improvement list and new ones added to meet the demand of population growth, funding changes and future development.

"The list changes every year to reflect available revenues," said senior planner Paul Wieczorek.

This year, several county departments project funding increases in projects. But at least two - public works and parks - are proposing decreases.

The $308 million worth of capital improvements is up slightly from $305.5 million earmarked for capital improvements last year.

The Wednesday meeting is the second public hearing held to adopt the plan.

In July, county commissioners discussed the annual update and amendments to the CIE.The county fired it off to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for review.

In October, DCA notified the county that it found no objections to the amended plan.

The proposed capital improvements will be financed from several sources, including impact fees, connection fees, capital projects funds, the transportation trust fund, bonds, state and federal funds or grants.

The land use hearing is at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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