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Hernando Today

Paying More To Ride THE Bus

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: September 17, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners at their Tuesday meeting approved higher fares for THE Bus, Hernando County's mass transit system.

The full fare goes up from $1 to $1.25. In nine months, the fare will go up another quarter, to $1.50.

Reduced fares for children, the disabled and seniors increase from 50 cents to 60 cents.

Full monthly passes will increase from $15 to $25. In nine months, those passes will cost $30.

Monthly passes at the reduced rate are now $12.50 ($15 after nine months).

In other action Tuesday:

•Cheryl Marsden was officially named the county's new human resources director and will begin her duties Nov. 12.
Marsden is currently the HR director at Black Hawk College in Moline, Ill., where she makes $84,000 annually.

She wanted to relocate to Florida to be closer to her family, according to her application.

Her salary as Hernando County's HR director is yet to be determined.

•Commissioners discussed County Administrator David Hamilton's six-month evaluation.

Overall, the board gave him a 4 out of 5, which means he exceeds standards.

Chairman Chris Kingsley said the only area he would like to see improved is for Hamilton to inform the board more frequently of matters of "high priority."

Kingsley said he appreciates Hamilton's "stoic and persevering" attitude in "creating a new culture" in county government.

Hamilton said he looks forward to continuing the relationship with the board.

•Commissioners approved a recommendation from Hamilton that would give a 2 percent raise to all employees who make under $65,000 a year. That would affect 669 government employees, excluding county and Spring Hill firefighters, who are on union contracts.

The 41 employees who make $65,000 or more would get no raise this year.

Hamilton said the cost savings to the county would be $72,086. The Constitutional officers have indicated they would consider a similar salary plan for their employees, which would save the county $94,105, he said.

•Acting on a recommendation from County Engineer Charles Mixson, the board approved a Transportation Regional Incentive Program agreement to provide $2 million in state grant money to help acquire right of way along Elgin Boulevard.

Elgin is slated for widening in the future.

This was Mixson's first day back after a two-week suspension. County Administrator David Hamilton had slapped Mixson with a stern discipline notice after detailing several managerial miscues on the part of the county engineer.

•County commissioners decided not to contract with the DLR Group consulting firm for $109,600. DLR would have prepared requests for proposals for locating, financing and constructing a new judicial facility in downtown Brooksville.

Staff believes the requests for proposals for a public-private partnership can be drafted in-house.

The board will revisit the issue at its Sept. 23 meeting.

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

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