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Hernando commission moves forward with ambitious plan for added space

 
Published Feb. 11, 2016

BROOKSVILLE — After receiving an 85-page report detailing the need for about $30 million in new construction to provide expanded office space for Hernando County government employees, the County Commission agreed this week to study the idea further.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to advertise for engineers and architects who can craft a detailed plan for the additional space, which was recommended by a space needs committee formed last year and charged with determining how much new space various offices will need through 2025.

County Administrator Len Sossamon presented the plan and explained to commissioners that the construction could be done by spending money generated by the judiciary, which currently totals about $4 million, and by bonding future sales tax proceeds, possibly even a new half-cent sales tax if voters would approve that funding source.

The committee, comprised of representatives from the county judiciary, constitutional officers and county government offices, has recommended construction of a four-story, 200,000-square-foot courts complex in the area just to the east of the existing government center in downtown Brooksville and a 500- to 550-space parking garage.

The new construction would eliminate the long walk up the hill to the government center and the stairway at the back of the existing building.

Housed at the new complex would be criminal courts, the clerk of the court, the state attorney, the public defender, the guardian ad litem program, a sally port and holding cells for inmates, and a judicial parking area. The top floor would be built as a shell for future growth.

In addition, the report recommends construction of a new government complex for the tax collector, the property appraiser and the supervisor of elections on a 9-acre parcel on Spring Hill Drive at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.

The new facility would take some of the pressure off the Westside Government Center on Forest Oaks Boulevard in Spring Hill and also allow Supervisor of Elections Shirley Anderson to consolidate her Brooksville office, warehouse and temporary equipment storage sites.

Tax Collector Sally Daniel showed commissioners a video from inside her Forest Oaks office, where customers are crammed into waiting areas adjacent to where teenagers are taking their written driving tests. Nearby are customers giving out their private information where everyone around can hear. Out front, there was a line of people waiting to come in and conduct business.

"That's what we're dealing with," Daniel said. "The whole situation is bad."

Public Defender Mike Graves described how his office had to pile files everywhere. And when he had his last staff meeting, it had to be in a hallway because there was no other space big enough.

"There is just no more room in the inn," Graves said.

Administrative Judge Daniel Merritt Jr., whose father long pushed the idea of more space for the judiciary, told commissioners, "This has been a long-standing issue."

He also urged commissioners to find a way to keep the historic courtroom in the old courthouse intact, an idea that was supported by several speakers. Commissioner Wayne Dukes said he would like to see the courtroom turned into a museum.

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Sossamon said the county's grant writer is already preparing to seek grant money to renovate the historic courthouse.

Commissioner Diane Rowden voiced strong support for exploring the construction of new facilities. She said that had the County Commission she sat on in 2001 followed through with plans then to alleviate the government office space crunch, this commission wouldn't be talking about the issue.

"If we keep sitting where we are now, it's not going to take care of the problem," Rowden said.

Commissioner Jeff Holcomb voiced concern about whether the county would be successful in getting voter approval for a half-cent sales tax.

Commissioner Nick Nicholson was the only commissioner to vote against seeking qualified engineers and architects to move forward with the plan. He said he had not had sufficient time to examine the details of the study.

Contact Barbara Behrendt at bbehrendt@tampabay.com or (352) 848-1434.