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Hernando Today

Fire Departments To Share Quarters

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: September 24, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved an interlocal agreement that allows the county and city fire departments to share the use of the Brooksville Fire Station for the next 25 years.

County Fire Chief Mike Nickerson said it will save the county $1.6 million because it won't have to build a standalone station.

Nickerson said the spirit of cooperation between both departments "has soared to unimaginable levels."
County Commission Chairman Chris Kingsley applauded the cooperation between the two agencies, which will benefit residents by saving money and enhancing service.

County commissioners and Brooksville city council members adopted an upgraded mutual aid agreement in February that provides automatic fire services between both fire departments.

That agreement resulted in the Brooksville Fire Department moving its dispatch duties to the Hernando County emergency dispatch center.

Also at Tuesday's meeting:

• Commissioners agreed 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.

Commissioners believe requests for proposals for a public-private partnership can be drafted in-house.

To that end, the board chose an eight-member evaluation committee to come up with the proposal. The committee will include Chief Circuit Judge Daniel Merritt Sr., Deputy County Administrator Larry Jennings, Finance Director Amy Gillis, Utilities Director Joseph Stapf, Facilities Senior Project Manager Al Toler, Assistant County Engineer Gregg Sutton, Purchasing and Contracts Director James Gantt and County Administrator Dave Russell.

Russell said soliciting for these proposals does not lock the county into a binding contract to build a new judicial center.

That will be determined based on budgetary needs, he said.

• Housing Director Donald Singer said about 10 people have signed up to see if they qualify for the Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP), which provides loan assistance to eligible seniors.

Right now, HELP is only available to people 62 and older. Singer said Oct. 17 is the cutoff date for applications.

After that, Singer said he would wait 30 days and expand the program to the handicapped and disabled.

Then, he plans to open it up to others who fall into certain income brackets.

HELP was the brainchild of County Commissioner Jeff Stabins, who wanted to create jobs for builders and subcontractors.

County Commissioner Diane Rowden praised Stabins for his program but agreed that the county has to get the word out to the people so more people can apply.

• The county agreed to look into possibly erecting more signs along Spring Park Way, which connects Springwood Estates with Powell Road and Spring Hill Drive, to cut down on through traffic.

Residents there fear an increase in congestion once the Kohl's and Target open near the front of their entrance off Spring Hill Drive.

• County Administrator David Hamilton told the board that negotiations to transfer the duties and operations of the county's Emergency Management Department over to the sheriff's office are continuing.

Hamilton said he had hoped to reach an agreement by now.

• Russell Washburn was formally confirmed as warden of the Hernando County Jail.

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

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