Hernando Highlights from Hernando County Government

Hernando Highlights | April 2024 Edition

Hernando County Government

HERNANDO HIGHLIGHTS

Follow the Hernando County Government every month for updates, local events, Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) information, and so much more.

Upcoming Events/Activities | Stay informed!

April 1-30

Celebrate National Poetry Month and add your own poem to our Community Poet-Tree!

Visit the front desk at the Main Branch anytime during the month of April to get a leaf to add to our community project.

Registration is not required.

HernandoCountyLibrary.us

April 30

The Spring Hill Library is hosting a free Jazz Concert. This will be an afternoon of toe-tapping tunes performed by the incredible musicians of the Hernando Jazz Society to promote and celebrate International Jazz Day.

All ages welcome.

Space is limited; registration is required.

Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm

HernandoCountyLibrary.us

May 3

Weeki Wachee River Summit Friday, May 3rd at

Pasco-Hernando State College Spring Hill Campus from 9am-1:15pm.

Hear from an array of County representatives such as Hernando County Commissioner John Allocco, Hernando County Administrator Jeff Rogers, Director of Tourist Development Tammy Heon, and more!

To RSVP visit bit.ly/49zRvn3

Department Highlights | Learn more about your local government

Check out a recent episode with Cindy Loftis-Culp from the Hernando County Public Library System.

Coffee with the County

"Coffee with the County" is a 10-episode spring season podcast that covers various topics from tourism all the way to ukulele lessons at the Libraries. Each episode features an interview with a County staff member from a different department sipping on a cup of joe, sharing coffee stats, and educating the public on Hernando County services.

Watch now!

Public Information

On October 20, 2023, the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously voted to recognize the Airport Air Traffic Control Tower located at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport & Technology Center (BKV) in honor of the late Gary E. Schraut. The BOCC chose the Airport Control Tower due to his background, accomplishments, and his pivotal role in securing the Control Tower for BKV.

Hernando County Government and Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport & Technology Center (BKV) hosted a ceremony at 10am on Thursday, April 25, 2024 to unveil the new plaque that is displayed at the Airport Control Tower in honor of Gary E. Schraut.

More about the life of Gary E. Schraut:

For the better part of three decades, Gary worked tirelessly to promote, expand and develop business and infrastructure at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport & Technology Center (BKV). Gary was instrumental in securing support for a number of projects including the airport fire station, instrument landing system (ILS), the National Guard Helicopter Unit and lastly, but certainly not least, his crowning achievement; the Airport Air Traffic Control Tower to which Gary devoted countless hours in lobbying the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), securing joint participation for the funding, construction, and continuing operations. Working closely with federal, state and local officials, Gary helped build community support for this extremely important facility. Since then, the tower has become an intrinsic and vital support system for quickly expanding airside operations and commerce.

“It is in recognition of these accomplishments, weeks after Gary’s passing that the BOCC selected the Airport Control Tower to dedicate after a wonderful man, Gary E. Schraut,” stated Airport Manager, Steve Miller. “His legacy will live on through his long-term achievements for years to come.”

Parks and Recreation

Pine Island Park Update:

Alfred McKethan Pine Island reopened last month on March 28th, 2024. Normal operating hours are 8:30am to sunset, seven days a week. Parking fee is $5 per car, credit card only. Handicapped placard and Disabled Veterans are exempt from parking fees at all Hernando County parks. No RVs, buses, or trailers permitted at the park. Learn more about the 20 beautiful parks and beaches in Hernando County by visiting:

Hernando County Parks & Recreation

Board of County Commissioners | Involved in the Community

At the April 9, 2024, Hernando County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Chairwoman of the Board, Commissioner Beth Narverud, made a public statement regarding her diagnosis of Breast Cancer. “Today I want to announce that I have joined the 22,000 other women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the state of Florida,” said Chairwoman Narverud. She wanted to remind The Hernando County Board of County Commissioner Vice Chair, Brian Hawkins, will perform duties as necessary in the Chairwoman, Beth Narverud’s absence.

Click here to watch Beth Narverud's statement

On Friday, April 5, 2024, Vice Chair, Brian Hawkins, attended a cornhole toss-off at the 2nd annual spring cookout held at the Landfill.

During the month of March, contestants from Admin/CS, Ops, Landfill and Fleet competed within their group to determine the cornbag tossers best equipped to represent their group at the event.

The Utilities Director, Gordon Onderdonk, provided the food which consisted of Bacon-Chz-Burgers, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Chips, Fresh Cut Fruit, Cookies, Tea, Soda and Water. The winning team, Corn Hole Killers, received a trophy and bragging rights!

On Monday, April 8, 2024, Commissioner, John Allocco, greeted the Century Mission Team as they returned home to BKV. Global Jet Care was thrilled to announce the return of the Century Mission flight crew to Global Jet Care. This return marks their completion of the historic round-the-world journey in a Lear Jet inspired by the World Flight of 1924.

Learn more about the Century Mission at CenturyMission.org.

BOCC Meetings

April Meeting Schedule:

Tuesday, May 7th at 9am - Workshop
Tuesday, May 14th at 9am
Tuesday, May 28th at 9am

To access meeting agendas, minutes and videos, you can easily visit www.HernandoCounty.us/WatchNow

Find your district representative here:

www.HernandoCounty.us/BOCC

Heart of Hernando | Highlighting County Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

Hernando County Animal Services received word that approximately 100 cats would be seized from a single residence. The case was a hoarding situation where the caregiver became ill. A 100-cat intake far exceeds the facility's ability for proper housing and care. Thomas Armstrong was asked to make arrangements with partnering rescues to ease the burden on the shelter. Thomas was able to place the vast majority of these cats directly into rescue care, alleviating the burden on HCAS. Thomas has shown a great ability to build relationships with rescue partners. We commend him for a job well done on this case, as well as many others. TJ, is a professional who cares about animals and always tries to provide the best outcome for them.

Volunteer | On Various Committees and Boards

Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)

The CAC is an advisory board which assists the MPO in conducting effective public information and participation programs, and advising the MPO of public opinion on policy issues to be considered by the MPO.

Below is a list of the (CAC) available citizen vacancies:

Citrus County Low Income and/or Minority Representative
Hernando County Low Income and/or Minority Representative
Hernando County Unincorporated Representative
Hernando County Public Transit User Representative
Citrus County Public Transit User Representative

Click here to download an application.

Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (TDLCB)

The TDLCB assists the Community Transportation Coordinator with transportation disadvantaged services to those persons who because of physical or mental disability, income status, or age are unable to transport themselves or to purchase transportation and are, therefore, dependent upon others to obtain access to health care, employment, education, shopping, social activities, or other life-sustaining activities, or children who are handicapped or high-risk or at-risk.

TDLCB (Hernando) has the following citizen vacancies: