HR Dept. Initiatives Launched

BROOKSVILLE - County Administrator David Hamilton will update county commissioners Tuesday on the initiatives that have been launched following the resignation of ex-Human Resources director Barbara Dupre.

One move has already been made with the naming of Jerry Haines as interim department director. Haines, a long-time county employee, has worked eight years in the Human Resources Department.

Hamilton, in a memo to commissioners, said he has assembled two committees that will work in two key areas of Human Resources development.

The first group will establish criteria for a new director while the second group will look at the department's policies and practices.

Hamilton will go into more detail of those committees when commissioners meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

Also on the agenda:

Commissioners will discuss advertising for the public hearings for a Spring Hill Fire Rescue District referendum ordinance. 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.

Also at the meeting, commissioners will discuss approving an agreement with Team Retail Spring Hill LLC that would require the developer to pay its fair share of road improvements along Elgin and Mariner boulevards.

That amount comes to $522,580, less a credit for road impact fees and other credits.

The developer is planning to build Cortez Commons, a multi-phase shopping center planned for the south side of State Road 50, west of Mariner Boulevard.

Commissioners have a crowded agenda, with 11 resolutions planned at the beginning of the meeting. Those resolutions will proclaim everything from Mother's Day to Safe Boating Week.