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Hernando Today

Issues Workshop Set For Dec. 2

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: November 30, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - County Administrator David Hamilton wants to find out what's on county commissioners' minds.

Of all the pressing issues facing Hernando County - the budget, small business expansion, streamlining government, crushing taxes - which ones should be moved to the top of the priority list?

Hamilton will find out during a Tuesday, Dec. 2, public workshop - the first of its kind during his stint as administrator.

The workshop should especially help newly elected commissioners John Druzbick and James Adkins get up to speed on the issues, Hamilton said.

To maintain impartiality, Hamilton has brought in a facilitator who specializes in conducting these kinds of workshops. And it won't cost the county a cent.

Rodney Clouser, an extension public policy specialist with the University of Florida, said he's done these for other government entities at no charge. It's all part of his duties, he said.

The idea, Clouser said, is to build consensus among board members.

"Commissioners will talk about what they see are policy issues and goals and they can help establish what the agenda would be from the departments and the administration in Hernando County," Clouser said.

Hamilton has suggested some "discussion-openers" for commissioners, such as his proposed reorganization plan to streamline county government. Other issues on the table include land use policy and economic development.

This workshop will be a follow-up to last week's orientation meeting, at which Adkins and Druzbick heard presentations from department staffers.

This one will not be for staff. It is strictly for the board. The public likely will be allowed to comment.

"We want to try and get a general game plan," said Hamilton, who stressed no decisions will be made at this workshop.

Instead, any ideas or recommendations can be brought forward at a subsequent formal business meeting, he said.

The workshop is at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in the Community Activity Center meeting room, 201 E. Ft. Dade Ave., in downtown Brooksville. It should last two or three hours.

For more information, call 754-4002.

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

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