County Commission

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 18, 2001

County attorney seeks additional litigator

BROOKSVILLE -- Hernando County government is looking to add a full-time litigator to its legal staff.

County Attorney Garth Coller asked commissioners to approve the position, a third assistant in his department, to help handle a growing workload that could increase further after the county's contract with Bruce Snow expires next spring.

"Obviously it's cheaper to do things in-house than it is with a consultant," Coller said. "There will continue to be some specialty areas where Bruce is the best game in town. But everyone has always understood that we were trying to reduce the costs associated with the County Attorney's Office."

The job is posted with a salary range of $45,692 to $76,153. Coller received permission to increase the range if the market demands a higher salary.

"I'm not sure we're going to find someone easily," he said. "Good litigators are hard to find."

Commissioners okay roadway project

BROOKSVILLE -- Construction on a group of six collector roads could begin in weeks now that Hernando County commissioners have approved the $1.4-million project.

Roads scheduled for improvements include Spring Hill Drive, Citrus Way, Snow Memorial Highway, Emerson Road, Whitman Road and Griffin Road. The commission also authorized work on Brittle Road, Old Trilby Road, Olympia Road and Neff Road, but decided to downgrade those roads to residential status.

Charles Mixson, public works director, said the county will use Grubbs Construction Co. to complete the project. The county has a road improvement contract with Grubbs and will add these items to the list, he said.

The commission set aside transportation trust fund money for these projects in the fall. No money for the residential road paving program is slated for the collector roads.

New regulations set for staff cell phones

BROOKSVILLE -- County commissioners tightened their mobile phone policy Tuesday, more clearly defining the type of calls employees may make with the phones.

Under the new provisions, employees may make personal calls for up to 10 percent of their monthly minutes, so long as no call is longer than 3 minutes. They must reimburse the county for all other personal calls.

Employees also must not use their phones at work sites where using a phone could be unsafe. Examples include road construction and electrical repair sites.

Commissioners gave themselves, the county administrator and county attorney a $50 monthly allowance for their mobile phone use. They will have to repay the county anything above that amount.

The county has 61 mobile phones in its inventory, including 15 used solely for emergencies. It spends about $18,000 annually on mobile phones.

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