Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
BROOKSVILLE - The County Commission on Wednesday evening tentatively approved its 2003-04 budget, a $272.93-million spending plan. There are no increases to existing tax levies in the budget. However, a new stormwater management taxing unit that includes all residents outside Weeki Wachee and Brooksville is planned. The stormwater levy, 131/2 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value, will cost the owner of a $125,000 house with a homestead exemption an extra $13.50 a year. The money is to be spent on flood mitigation. Also, residents living in the area surrounding Brooksville known as Township 22 will no longer pay for fire service based on the value of their property. Instead, they will pay a flat fee, $100.71 a year, as members of what will be called the Central Hernando Fire Rescue District. The final public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Hernando County Government Center in downtown Brooksville.