Citrus County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Citrus County denies Lecanto Sand mining project, directs injunction

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners denied the Lecanto Sand, LLC mining project after a public hearing on Aug. 11, and directed the County Attorney to seek an injunction against unpermitted activity on the site. The board also approved several contracts and agreements, including a road resurfacing project and a new law enforcement agreement with Inverness.

Lecanto Sand project denied

The board voted to deny the comprehensive plan amendment, zoning, and planned unit development application (CPA/AA/PUD-2025-00010) submitted by Lecanto Sand, LLC. The denial followed a public hearing and was based on the project failing to meet several county code and comprehensive plan requirements. The board also directed the County Attorney to seek an injunction to stop unpermitted activity on the site. No vote tally was provided for the denial.

Other actions from the Aug. 11 meeting

The board approved the following items:

• A $398,001 contract for resurfacing W. Mustang Blvd (4-1 vote).
• An interlocal agreement for enhanced law enforcement services with the City of Inverness.
• A $44,600 grant agreement with the Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority.
• A $2,000 marketing grant for the Crystal River Nights Concert Series.
• The FY2027 tourism media plan with Miles Partnership.
• Elimination of the Deputy Building Official position and creation of two Building Operation Manager positions (4-1 vote).

All other agenda items were approved as listed.

Other recent meetings

Several other meetings took place in the past two weeks, but their minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are available.

• **Aug. 12 – Beverly Hills Advisory Council:** Agenda included discussion of a meeting venue change, setting the November 2026 meeting date, a bench quote for Paul Atherton, approval of FY26 Period 10 financial reports, and updates on entrances and signs.
• **Aug. 13 – Aviation Advisory Board:** Agenda included a member resignation, project status updates (runway extension, fuel tank replacement), a T-hangar lease template discussion, and a 2026 bylaws update.
• **Aug. 17 – Special meeting:** The board considered a motion to initiate litigation against Lecanto Sand, LLC to enjoin continued unpermitted activity. No outcome has been published.
• **Aug. 19 – Special Magistrate:** Code compliance cases were on the agenda, including staff updates and old/new cases.
• **Aug. 20 – Planning and Development Commission:** The commission reviewed a sign variance request by Alvin Ramos for G4Landwerks LLC and a planned unit development application for Betz Farm by Bravo Land Group, LLC.

Coming up

• **Aug. 25 – Board of County Commissioners:** The board will vote on a $1,259,728.96 contract with Bulldog Sitework for the Old Homosassa septic-to-sewer project, a $472,200 courthouse HVAC upgrade agreement with Automated Building Control Systems, a $21,500 non-performance assessment for the CoreCivic contract, a $350,000 budget for the Inverness Government Center remodel, and grant applications for oyster restoration and storm surge defense (up to $2 million).
• **Aug. 27 – Special Library District Advisory Board:** The board will review the FY 2027 Library Budget Overview, the FY 2027 Annual Plan of Service, a policy update request, and updates on summer reading and BOOKED 2027.
• **Sept. 2 – Board of County Commissioners:** The board will vote on whether to appeal a circuit court order in the case of Pine Ridge Property Owners’ Association, Inc. v. Citrus County, Florida. No other substantive items are on the agenda.

Citrus County Board adopts FY 2026-27 assessments; short-term rental hearing set for Aug. 11

The Board of County Commissioners on July 28 adopted multiple resolutions setting FY 2026-27 assessment rates for fire protection, solid waste, stormwater, utility availability, and property abatement, along with waterline extension assessments for Cedar Lake Estates and Citrus Springs. The board also approved a five-year renewal of the MyHealth Onsite employee clinic agreement (4-1) and set public hearings for August on the stormwater MSBU, utility availability roll, and a proposed short-term vacation rental ordinance. Two motions were defeated: re-establishing transportation concurrency (2-3) and directing staff to begin a Comprehensive Plan amendment on open space/recreation (2-3).

Board of County Commissioners

The board voted 5-0 to adopt the FY 2026-27 Fire Protection Assessment rate resolution, the Solid Waste Residential Assessment Roll, the Stormwater MSBU resolution (and set an Aug. 25 hearing), and the Utility Availability Assessment Roll resolution. It also approved the five-year MyHealth Onsite clinic contract renewal by a 4-1 vote.

In a separate closed session on July 28, the board held an attorney-client discussion regarding the pending litigation *Elissa Hofelt v. Citrus County Board of County Commissioners* (Case No: 5:25-cv-00643-JSM-PRL). No public comments were made and no substantive decisions were recorded.

Other recent meetings

Historical Resources Advisory Board (Aug. 3) – Agenda only; minutes not yet published. The board was scheduled to discuss results of a windshield survey, staff updates, and approval of previous minutes.

Citrus Springs Advisory Council (Aug. 5) – Agenda only. The council was set to approve July 1, 2026 draft minutes and FY26 Period 10 financials for the Citrus Springs MSBU, and hear updates on streetlights, road resurfacing, beautification, and fountain/roadway maintenance.

Planning and Development Commission (Aug. 6) – Agenda only. The commission reviewed two planned unit development applications: PUD2026-00006 (Clearview Estates, a Development of Regional Impact by Citrus Hills Inv. Prop.) and PUD-2026-00004 (One Oak Homosassa, LLC, represented by Attorney Lauren Rubenstein). It also considered approval of minutes from June 4 and July 16, 2026 meetings.

Value Adjustment Board (Aug. 6) – Agenda only. The board held its annual organizational meeting to ratify Attorney Holly E. Cosby as private legal counsel, appoint two attorney and eight appraiser special magistrates, impose a nonrefundable $50 filing fee for most 2026 petitions (homestead portability petitions remain $15), authorize payment of 2026 expenses, and set hearing dates from Oct. 14, 2026 through Feb. 3, 2027 at the Citrus County Courthouse, 110 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness.

Coming up

Board of County Commissioners – Aug. 11 – Public hearing on an ordinance creating Chapter 79 to regulate short-term vacation rentals. The board will also consider a $398,001 road resurfacing contract for W. Mustang Blvd (from W. Mesa Verde Dr to CR 491), an interlocal agreement with the City of Inverness and Sheriff's Office for enhanced law enforcement services (FY 2026/27), a grant agreement with Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority for $44,600 (with a $44,600 county match), and a $2,000 Special Event Marketing Grant for Crystal River Nights Concert Series 2026.

Beverly Hills Advisory Council – Aug. 12 – Discussion of a meeting venue change, setting the November 2026 meeting date, a bench quote for Paul Atherton, approval of FY26 Period 10 financial reports for the Beverly Hills MSBU, and updates on entrances/signs.

Aviation Advisory Board – Aug. 13 – Routine business including a member resignation (Patrick Crippen, Member at Large), status reports on the CGC Runway 9/27 Extension and Fuel Tank Replacement projects, a T-Hangar lease template/application discussion, and a 2026 Aviation Bylaws update from the BOCC.

Citrus County board set to weigh FY 2026/27 tax rates, vacation rental ordinance, and budget hearings

Citrus County commissioners had a packed late-July schedule centered on next year's budget, with preliminary hearings on millage rates for the General Fund, Transportation, Health Department, Libraries, and Fire protection for fiscal year 2026/2027. Minutes from the July 22 and July 28 meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed — the items below reflect what was on the agendas.

Budget and Millage Hearings (July 22)

The Board of County Commissioners held multiple preliminary budget hearings on July 22. One agenda called for a motion to set tentative millage rates for the General Fund, Transportation, Health Department, Libraries, and Fire for FY 2026/2027. A separate motion would authorize staff to execute the Certification of Taxable Value (DR420s), Maximum Levy Calculation Preliminary Disclosure (DR420MM-Ps), and Tax Increment Adjustment Worksheets (DR420TIFs) electronically via e-TRIM.

The same day, the board was scheduled to consider the fire protection preliminary budget and hold a public comment period. The Governing Body of the Library District of Citrus County also met for a preliminary budget hearing.

All three agendas noted a tentative budget hearing scheduled for September 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Public comment periods were listed at 3 minutes per person and 5 minutes for organizations.

Short-Term Rental Ordinance and Assessment Hearings (July 28)

On July 28, the board was set to schedule a public hearing for August 11, 2026, regarding an ordinance creating Chapter 79 for Short Term Vacation Rentals. Additional public hearings were listed for August 25, 2026, covering the Stormwater MSBU and Utility Availability Assessment Roll for FY 2026-2027.

Other agenda items included:

• Cancellation of contract P035BOCT25 with the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• A non-performance assessment for the CoreCivic contract for June 2026 totaling $24,500.00.
• An agreement with CivicPlus, LLC for DocAccess software to meet ADA compliance by April 2027.

Attorney/Client Session (July 28)

The board was scheduled to hold a private attorney/client session to discuss the case Elissa Hofelt v. Citrus County Board of County Commissioners (Case No. 5:25-cv-00643-JSM-PRL). No details about the case were included in the agenda.

Coming Up

• **August 3 — Historical Resources Advisory Board:** Will review windshield survey results, receive staff updates, and approve previous minutes.
• **August 6 — Value Adjustment Board:** Annual organizational meeting at the Citrus County Courthouse, 110 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness. The board is set to ratify Attorney Holly E. Cosby as private legal counsel, appoint 2 attorney and 8 appraiser special magistrates for property tax petitions, impose a nonrefundable $50 filing fee for most 2026 petitions (homestead portability petitions remain $15), and set 2026 hearing dates from October 14, 2026 through February 3, 2027.
• **August 11 — Board of County Commissioners:** Public hearing on the short-term vacation rental ordinance (Chapter 79), if scheduled as proposed.
• **August 25 — Board of County Commissioners:** Public hearings on the Stormwater MSBU and Utility Availability Assessment Roll for FY 2026-2027, if scheduled as proposed.
• **September 10 — Board of County Commissioners:** Tentative budget hearing at 5:00 PM.

Citrus County Board approves $325,000 waste-disposal contract and FY 2025–26 budget resolutions

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners approved a new waste-disposal agreement authorizing up to $325,000 in fees and terminated the prior agreement during its July 14, 2026 meeting. The Board also adopted a series of FY 2025–26 budget actions, including Resolution 2026–054, all by unanimous vote.

Waste-disposal contract and CoreCivic deductions

The Board voted unanimously to approve the new waste-disposal agreement, authorizing up to $325,000 in fees and terminating the previous agreement. Commissioners also authorized deductions of $4,500 and $1,500 from CoreCivic's July 2026 billing, both approved unanimously.

Budget resolutions adopted

Commissioners approved FY 2025–26 budget transfers for multiple departments and adopted FY 2025–26 budget resolutions covering capital projects, grants, and trust funds, including the comprehensive Resolution 2026–054. All budget-related votes were unanimous.

Proclamations and consent agenda

The Board adopted three proclamations: Colonel Curtis Ebitz Day, Run for the Money Week, and Smart Irrigation Month. The consent agenda, covering minutes, CoreCivic deductions, asset deletions, and other items, passed unanimously. The Board also approved the overall agenda with additions and the removal of item E1a.

Public hearing scheduled for affordable housing

The Board scheduled a public hearing for August 25, 2026, to consider surplus property for affordable housing. The vote was unanimous.

Other recent meetings

Several other meetings were held between July 15 and July 22, but minutes have not yet been published. Agendas indicate the following items were scheduled for discussion:

• **July 15** — The Special Magistrate met on code compliance matters. The agenda included procedural items and a placeholder for old and new cases.
• **July 16** — The Planning and Development Commission was scheduled to review application CU-2026-00006, submitted by Crouch Homes LLC for Linda Sveda.
• **July 22** — The Board of County Commissioners held multiple preliminary budget hearings covering the Citrus County Special Library District, tentative millage rates for the General Fund, Transportation, Health Department, Libraries, and Fire for FY 2026/27, and the fire protection preliminary budget. A tentative budget hearing was announced for September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Because minutes for these meetings are not yet available, outcomes are not reported here.

Coming up

• **July 28, 2026 — Board of County Commissioners:** The Board will consider budget transfers, contract cancellations, and scheduling of public hearings. Key items include a public hearing set for August 11, 2026, on an ordinance creating Chapter 79 for Short Term Vacation Rentals, and public hearings set for August 25, 2026, for the Stormwater MSBU and Utility Availability Assessment Roll for FY 2026–2027. The Board will also consider a non-performance assessment for the CoreCivic contract for June 2026 totaling $24,500.00, and an agreement with CivicPlus, LLC for DocAccess software to meet ADA compliance by April 2027.
• **July 28, 2026 — Board of County Commissioners (attorney/client session):** A private session is scheduled to discuss the case Elissa Hofelt v. Citrus County Board of County Commissioners (Case No: 5:25-cv-00643-JSM-PRL).
• **August 3, 2026 — Historical Resources Advisory Board:** The board will review windshield survey results, receive staff updates, and approve previous minutes.

Citrus County Roundup: Board Approves $325K Waste-Disposal Contract, Sets Budget Hearings

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners approved a new waste-disposal agreement authorizing up to $325,000 in fees and adopted a series of budget resolutions for fiscal year 2025-26 during its July 14 meeting. The board also scheduled an August 25 public hearing to consider surplus property for affordable housing.

Board of County Commissioners Actions

On July 14, the board approved the agenda with additions and the removal of item E1a by unanimous AYES votes. The board adopted three proclamations: Colonel Curtis Ebitz Day, Run for the Money Week, and Smart Irrigation Month.

The consent agenda was adopted unanimously, covering minutes, Corecivic deductions, asset deletions, and other items. The board authorized $4,500 and $1,500 deductions from Corecivic July 2026 billing.

The board approved FY 2025-26 budget transfers for multiple departments and adopted FY 2025-26 budget resolutions covering capital projects, grants, and trust funds, including Resolution 2026-1054.

A new waste-disposal agreement authorizing up to $325,000 in fees was approved, and the previous agreement was terminated. The board also scheduled a public hearing on August 25, 2026, to consider surplus property for affordable housing. All these actions passed with unanimous AYES votes.

Earlier, on July 6, the board reached consensus to direct staff to place an item on the July 14 agenda to vote on appointing Judge Mark Yerman to the Citrus County Canvassing Board. The board also agreed to fund the constitutional budgets as presented and to keep the millage rate at 6.9898%.

Advisory Boards and Commissions

Several advisory bodies held meetings or posted agendas between July 8 and July 16. Minutes for these meetings have not yet been published.

• The Tourist Development Council met July 8 to review a $2,000 Special Event Marketing Grant for the Crystal River Nights Concert Series 2026 and the FY 2027 Miles Partnership media plan for the Visitors and Convention Bureau.
• The Beverly Hills Advisory Council met July 8 for its regular monthly meeting, with agenda items including approval of the June 10 draft minutes and FY26 Period 9 financial reports, along with special reports on trees/mowing, entrances, public works, parks, and overall maintenance.
• The Aviation Advisory Board met July 9 to discuss airport operations, including an Airport 101 presentation, T-Hangar lease template review, and status updates on the CGC Runway 9/27 Extension, CGC Fuel Tank Replacement, and INF Business Park Project.
• The Veterans Services Advisory Board met July 9 to review a $365K budget for VSO offices and discuss the July 24 VA Clinic groundbreaking ceremony. The agenda also included discussion of veteran suicides, uncredentialed claim sharks, and service numbers showing 839 veterans and families served in May and June, with June being the second busiest month.
• The Special Magistrate met July 15 to address code compliance matters, with the agenda consisting of procedural items and a placeholder for cases.
• The Planning and Development Commission met July 16 to review the CU-2026-00006 application submitted by Crouch Homes LLC for Linda Sveda, along with standard agenda items such as appeal procedures and public comments.

Coming Up

• July 22: The Board of County Commissioners will hold preliminary budget hearings to consider tentative millage rates for FY 2026/27 for the General Fund, Transportation, Health Department, Libraries, and Fire. The board will also consider the FY 2026/27 budget and millage for the Citrus County Special Library District and review the fire protection preliminary budget. Public comment periods are scheduled, with 3 minutes per person and 5 minutes for organizations. A tentative budget hearing is announced for September 10 at 5:00 PM.
• July 28: The Board of County Commissioners will hold a private attorney/client session to discuss the case Elissa Hofelt v. Citrus County Board of County Commissioners (Case No: 5:25-cv-00643-JSM-PRL).