Lisa MacNeil

Brooksville, Spring Hill

Manager and Writer at Hernando Sun

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Articles

Commissioners Approve 5.75 Percent Fire Rescue Fee Increase

5 days ago | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 3-2 to approve a 5.75 percent increase in the Fire Rescue MSBU for single-family properties for the 2026 Fiscal Year. The arrival at 5.75 percent came from a recommendation by Fire Chief Paul Hasenmeier, who was directed by all Commissioners at an initial presentation on April 22 to lower the rate from 7 percent.
Agreement Suspended, But City Quest for ALS Certification to Continue

2 weeks ago | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

A 2019 Interlocal Agreement between the City of Brooksville Fire Department (BFD) and Hernando County Fire Rescue (HCFR) that has never gone into effect has been temporarily suspended. In the agreement, the county would provide advanced life support (ALS) equipment for the city’s ALS non-transport fire engine and provide an annual $7500 pay incentive subsidy to the city’s ALS-certified paramedics.
Commissioners Discuss Proposed Fire Assessment Increase

1 month ago | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

After Public Safety Director and Fire Chief Paul Hasenmeier presented the projected annual increases for the Fire Assessment Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the BOCC came to an agreement to attempt to reduce the proposed maximum 7 percent annual increase, which is proposed to begin in 2027. During the June public hearing on the subject, the rate could be adjusted downward from the maximum.
Hernando County Commissioners Approve Policy to Create Delegation on Government Efficiency

1 month ago | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a county policy that will form the Hernando County Delegation on Government Efficiency (DOGE).
BOCC DOGE Resolution

2 months ago | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

Commissioners at the regular Board meeting took another look at what the Hernando County Department of Government Efficiency (HC-DOGE) should look like. Commissioner Ryan Amsler originally brought the idea before the board at the February 25th meeting, where it was decided that the details still need to be worked out. The matter will return to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) with further revisions at the April 22 meeting.
BOCC Debates Spending vs. Space Needs

2 months ago | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

Commissioners and department leaders discussed at length the prudence of purchasing properties to alleviate space constraints, versus halting all expansion in an effort to rein in government spending in a political climate where the latter may be more favorable to taxpayers. Commissioners Steve Champion and Jerry Campbell remarked that the three requests for property acquisitions appearing on the March 25 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) agenda were unusual.
BOCC Approves Ordinance Regulating Distribution of Unsolicited Newspapers

2 months ago | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

Commissioners voted 4-1 to enact an ordinance to give property owners the opportunity to opt out of free newspapers and other publications tossed into their yards. Commissioner Ryan Amsler voted against the Ordinance without comment. The original Ordinance came before the Board of County Commissioners on December 17, 2024. That Ordinance would have prohibited distributors from delivering publications to private addresses unless the property owner had opted into receiving them.
Speed Limit Reduced, Golf Carts Allowed on Shoal Line

2 months ago | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

After a brief presentation by Department of Public Works Director Scott Herring, Commissioners at the March 25 meeting unanimously approved an ordinance that will drop the speed limit within the Hernando Beach Business District and permit the usage of golf carts during daylight hours on Shoal Line Boulevard between Bluefish Drive and Calienta Street. The daylight restriction will be removed in the future, following additional approval by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
BOCC Denies Lease Agreement for Building Formerly Owned by Chairman Hawkins

2 months ago | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

Commissioners voted 4-0 to deny a lease agreement which would house the County’s Information Technology (IT) department at 18 South Main Street.
Local State of Emergency Ends, Recovery and Support Ongoing

Mar 24, 2025 | hernandosun.com | Lisa MacNeil

Recovery from the 2024 hurricanes will continue, but Commissioners voted unanimously to end the local State of Emergency at the March 11 regular Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting. The sunsetting of the ordinance does not affect those still recovering from damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton, as those efforts are ongoing.