BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County’s first budget outlook for the coming fiscal year projects a $10.6 million shortfall if commissioners leave the property tax rate unchanged, County Administrator Jeff Rogers said.
Nearly every elected officeholder is asking for more. Of the county’s constitutional officers, only the supervisor of elections is seeking a smaller budget — the sheriff, clerk, property appraiser and tax collector all want increases, as do several county departments. The sheriff’s office accounts for the single largest request, an increase of about $8.2 million.
To help close the gap, the county will fill only critical positions paid from the general fund and may delay several capital projects.
Budget requests
The supervisor of elections is the only constitutional officer asking for less — a 12.2% cut, or $403,721, to about $2.9 million.
Every other office wants more:
Clerk’s office, up 12.86%, or nearly $1.8 million, to $15.7 million. Courthouse security, up 12.54%, or about $300,000, to $2.6 million. Sheriff’s office, up 11.83%, or about $8.2 million, to about $78 million. Animal services, up 7.41%, or about $139,000, to $2 million. The jail, up 4.6%, or nearly $1.1 million, to $24.7 million. Property appraiser, up 4.26%, or $184,369, to $4.5 million. Tax collector, up 2.39%, or $102,000, to $4.37 million.
Operating budget and reserves
The county’s overall operating budget would rise to $262.6 million, up $24.7 million from the current year. Reserves would fall to 18.5%.
Taxable value
As of June 1, the county’s estimated taxable value was up $869 million, or 4.75%, from a year earlier. The county also reported a current property value increase of $216 million, or 1.18%.
Hiring
The county has reviewed all open positions and will fill only critical general-fund jobs. Two positions will go unfilled, with temporary employees finishing the work.
Projects that could be delayed
Capital projects that might be pushed back include the Anderson Snow multiuse fields, the Weeki Wachee Preserve project, the animal services shelter expansion, the Public Safety Training Center, the Linda Pedersen tower and the Waterways Building.
What’s next
The commission has scheduled a special budget meeting at 9 a.m. July 30, followed by public hearings at 5:01 p.m. Sept. 10 and 5:01 p.m. Sept. 22. All three will be held in the county commission chambers.
Photos by VINCENT F. SAFUTO/Hernando Today
HT-FIRSTBUDGETLOOK1-06242026 -- County Administrator Jeff Rogers gave a four-slide PowerPoint presentation with the current budget situation.