County commission actions

Hernando County commissioners met Tuesday and took the following action:

-- Learned that the proposed Hernando Beach dredge project by the Army Corps of Engineers is now projected to cost $6.5-million instead of $4.8-million. Commissioners scheduled a workshop to review the situation for 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Coast Guard Auxiliary Building in Hernando Beach.

-- Approved a resolution asking HCA-The Healthcare Co. to drop its ongoing challenge to a proposed new Brooksville Regional Hospital, which would be built by rival Health Management Associates. The commission repeatedly has endorsed HMA's bid to relocate and rebuild Brooksville Regional, but this is its first attempt to correspond directly with HCA corporate headquarters in Tennessee.

-- Received staff reports on county utility regulatory activities since 1998. Commissioners requested the information after a local developer told them that the county lacked procedures to handle complaints against Florida Water Services. After listening to the staff, the commission took no action.

-- Discussed complaints about the county government access television channel's plans to air a forum sponsored by U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman, D-Dunnellon. Some residents said county policy should prohibit Thurman, a candidate for public office, from appearing on the government channel during election season. Commissioners unanimously agreed that the information about federal insurance programs was beneficial to many residents and was not a campaign event, and told the staff to air the program.

-- Learned that Florida Water Services has approached the Southwest Florida Water Management District with a proposal to monitor water levels in two Spring Hill lakes where residents have complained to commissioners that their neighbors' use of lake water for lawn irrigation has harmed the lakes. Florida Water also has proposed to conduct environmental assessments of Lake Century and Lake Crescent twice a year. Commissioners had asked to be kept informed on the matter earlier this summer.

-- Amended the definition of "unsafe buildings" in county building regulations. The changes will allow the county to better control decrepit buildings that have not been cared for.

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