Fire Ballot Wording Back Before County

BROOKSVILLE - The Spring Hill Fire Rescue District is back on the agenda of the county commission meeting.

Assistant County Attorney Jon Jouben Tuesday will ask commissioners to consider adopting an ordinance abolishing the district's Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) and calling instead for a nonbinding referendum

If a majority of Spring Hill voters vote in favor of creating an independent fire district, the issue then moves to the state Legislature.

It is the Legislature that must approve a special act in order to create the district. If that entity passes the special act, the independent fire district will come into being.

But that doesn't end the process.

After the creation of the independent fire district, there would be another referendum to approve any ad valorem millage levy. The outcome of the second referendum would not affect the existence of a newly created district - only the district's ability to levy property taxes.

County commissioners will consider the fire district referendum at their business meeting which begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

Also on the agenda:

- Purchasing and Contracts Director James Gantt will present a $17,000 change order from Goodwin Brothers Construction Inc. for airport roadway improvements.

- Development Services Director Grant Tolbert will ask commissioners to approve permits for two separate fireworks displays: at Glen Lakes Country Club and at Freedom Festival at the Florida Classic Park.

- Utilities Director Joseph Stapf will conduct a solid waste workshop, scheduled for 1:30 p.m.