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Hernando Today

Spring Hill Fire On Tuesday's County Agenda

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: October 20, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The Spring Hill Fire Rescue District independence issue has ignited passions on both sides.

In two short weeks, Spring Hill voters will cast a ballot either for or against creation of an independent district.

In response to numerous resident requests for information, county commissioners on Tuesday plan to discuss some of the issues related to the referendum, including governance and costs.

County Attorney Garth Coller explained at the Oct. 14 meeting that if fire district independence is voted down, all the assets of the fire district stay with that taxing district but would be managed by the county.

Oversight would switch from the five-person elected fire board to the county commissioners.

A "yes" vote would remove oversight authority of the county and instead place it in the hands of the five elected fire commissioners.

As for costs, County Administrator David Hamilton, in a memo to commissioners, said a county-controlled district would save taxpayers $544,103, mainly because it would cost more for an independent department to handle its communications dispatch and administrative costs.

The county commission meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

Also at that meeting:

• Commissioners will consider adopting an updated economic incentive ordinance for targeted industries that create new jobs in Hernando County.

The incentives would apply to expanding existing businesses or new companies.

• The board will discuss Coller's contract, which has reached an impasse.

Coller's counterproposal to a contract offer was rejected.

County Commissioner Chris Kingsley, who drafted the contract, said he won't budge on the terms, which include a one-year pact and a three-month severance clause.

Instead, Coller wants a four-year contract with a five-month severance clause in case of termination.

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

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