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Digest
Swiftmud adopts 2008 millage rates
By TIMES STAFF
Published August 1, 2007
DISTRICTWIDE
Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board adopted proposed fiscal year 2008 millage rates for the district's general fund and basins at its meeting on Tuesday.
In September, the Governing Board will adopt millage rates for the district's general fund and the eight basin boards after two statutorily-required public Truth in Millage hearings have been held. The first will be at 5 p.m. Sept. 11 at the district's Tampa Service Office, and the second will be at 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at the district's Brooksville headquarters.
The 2008 millage rate for the Withlacoochee River Basin Board, which covers areas in Hernando, Pasco, Sumter, Citrus, Marion and Levy counties, will be 0.2308 mill, which is 0.03 less than the current fiscal year. An owner of a home worth $125,000, with a $25,000 homestead exemption $100,000 taxed would be taxed $23.08 by the basin board.
The millage rate for the Coastal Rivers Basin Board, which covers portions of Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties, will be 0.1885 mill, which is 0.02 less than the current fiscal year. For an owner of a $125,000 home (with the 25,000 homestead exemption), the basin board tax will be $18.85.
These reductions are in accordance with the tax reduction mandated by the Florida Legislature.
Fiscal year 2008 will be Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2008. For information, call Swiftmud at 796-7211 or toll-free at 1-800-423-1476.
COUNTYWIDE
Deputies on alert for red-light runners
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office will conduct its STOP Red-Light Running Campaign Sunday through Aug. 11 throughout Hernando County.
The Sheriff's Office traffic unit will aggressively look for motorists who do not stop for red lights.
The intent of the campaign is to raise awareness of the dangers of red-light running, thereby helping to reduce fatalities.
The weeklong campaign runs in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration's program.
BROOKSVILLE
Potential homeowners can learn via academy
The Hernando Builders Association will offer a Home Ownership Academy for those interested in becoming homeowners.
The academy is a series of five sessions that will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays starting Aug. 29 at the HBA headquarters, 7391 Sunshine Grove Road.
Participants will be able to speak directly with HBA builders, remodelers, mortgage brokers, "green" agents and others.
The cost is $20 and includes materials, refreshments and graduation photos. Registration is limited and the deadline to sign up is Aug. 22. Call Emilia Raia at 596-1114 or e-mail to
emilia@hernandobuilders.com. CRYSTAL RIVER
Golf outing benefits wildlife complex
The first Manatee Masters Golf Tournament to benefit the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex will be Sept. 20 at Plantation Inn and Golf Resort, 9301 W Fort Island Trail.
Various sponsorships are available and include $100 for a hole sponsorship, which includes a printed sign at the tee and recognition in the golf program; $250 for a Manatee Cow Sponsorship, which includes a half page advertisement in the golf program, inclusion in all sponsorship drive advertising, two complimentary player entry fees and a special prize/appreciation package for each player; $500 and higher for a Manatee Bull Sponsorship, which includes a full-page advertisement in the golf program, inclusion in all sponsorship drive advertising, and four complimentary player entrance fees and special prize/appreciation package for each.
The tournament will start with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The cost to golf in the tournament is $50 per player. The format is a four-person team scramble. The cost includes golf, cart, prizes and lunch. Entry deadline is Sept. 13.
The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of Chassahowitzka, Crystal River, Egmont Key, Passage Key and the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuges. Money raised will offset the cost of aerial surveys done twice a month to monitor Citrus County's manatee population.
For entry forms and information, call Bill Sizemore at (352) 563-2480.
Checks are to be made payable to FCNWR and mailed to Manatee Masters Golf Tournament, 682 N Afterglow Circle, Crystal River, FL 34429.
To learn more about FCNWR or to become a member, visit the Web site at www.fcnwr.org or call (352) 563-2088, ext. 215.
COUNTYWIDE
Applications taken for volunteer boards
The Hernando County Commission is accepting applications from individuals interested in volunteering on the following boards:
- Hernando County Historical Advisory Commission. There is a vacancy for a Hernando Historical Museum Association representative. The purpose of the commission is to promote the preservation of historical materials and resources, and to encourage awareness of local history. Applicants must have a strong interest in the history and ancestry of the county.
- Enterprise Zone Development Agency Advisory Board. There is a vacancy for a representative of the financial/insurance sector, with a term expiring May 22, 2011. There are also three vacancies for Enterprise Zone resident positions that expire May 22, 2010. An enterprise zone is an area with chronic economic problems and is designated as a place where private businesses become eligible to receive tax credits and refunds in return for providing jobs and property revitalization. All applicants must be Enterprise Zone residents.
Applicants for all boards must be residents and registered voters of Hernando County. Application forms are available in the County Administrator's Office, 20 N Main St., Brooksville, and must be returned before 5 p.m. Aug. 17. All positions are voluntary and unpaid. For information, call 754-4002.
TRINITY
Poker fundraiser aids Alzheimer's group
The Alzheimer's Family Organization will present "After Five - Texas Hold 'Em" at 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at Heritage Springs Country Club, 11345 Robert Trent Jones Parkway.
Tickets are $75 and includes $2,000 in chips. There will be a catered dinner of prime rib or chicken Oscar, live auctions, silent auction, raffles and door prizes. Tables of 10 can be reserved.
The event is co-sponsored by WJQB 106.3 FM and proceeds will benefit the AFO, which services the Central Florida area, including Hernando County. For information or tickets, call (727) 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004.
SPRING HILL
Last of watershed workshops is Monday
The Southwest Florida Water Management District will offer the final in its series of watershed workshops in Hernando County from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Spring Hill Branch/Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive.
The purpose of the workshop is to ask developers, engineers and the public to review and comment on 22 new watershed management plans. The watersheds to be discussed Monday include Tooke Lake, Centralia, Indian Creek, Oman Quarry, Willow Sink, Chassahowitzka River, Weeki Wachee Prairie, Wiscon, Aripeka and Spring Hill Lakes.
A watershed is an area of land that water flows across as it moves toward a common low point, sinkhole complex or a body of water, such as a stream, river or lake.
During the workshop, preliminary models and floodplain information will be presented for review and comment. After addressing the comments, the floodplain information will be used to develop the preliminary flood insurance rate maps for Hernando County, and for floodplain management by county and Swiftmud regulatory staff.
For information, or to find out which watershed you live in, visit www.WaterMatters.org/floodplain, or call 796-7211, ext. 4297.
RIDGE MANOR WEST
Waterways council meets at library
The Hernando County Task Force of the Citrus/Hernando Waterways Restoration Council will meet at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the East Hernando Branch Library, 6457 Windmere Road, east of Brooksville.
The task force will be considering potential restoration projects to enhance fish and wildlife habitats in Hernando County. Examples of restoration projects may include shoreline restoration, sand and sediment control or removal and exotic species management.
The Citrus/Hernando Waterways Restoration Council was formed by the state Legislature in 2003 and is overseen by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. It is responsible for reviewing data related to lake and river restoration techniques, sport-fish population recovery and sand and sediment control. The task force also submits recommendations to the Legislature in an annual report for funding to address those issues.
For information, call Josie Guillen at 796-7211, ext. 4227.
HERNANDO BEACH
Register to become a soccer referee
The First Hernando Youth Soccer Club will offer an entry level referee certification course Aug. 24, 25 and 31 at the Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary, 4340 Calienta St.
The course will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 24, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 25 (there will be a 30 minute break for lunch) and from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Aug. 31.
This is the course for those wishing to become a Florida state certified soccer referee, which allows one to referee soccer games anywhere in the state. The course is available to adults and youth 12 and older.
The cost is $60. For information, contact Robert Andreu at 683-7443 or e-mail robertandreu@bellsouth.net.
[Last modified August 1, 2007, 06:40:46]
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