BROOKSVILLE — A nine-hour County Commission meeting ended July 28 with one commissioner calling another “trash” and walking out.
The blowup came during commissioner comments, after Chairman Jerry Campbell said he would propose an ordinance barring sitting commissioners from buying tax deeds, tax certificates and tax liens in Hernando County. Commissioner Steve Champion, who says he has bought them for 30 years, called the proposal a “slimy tactic” and left the dais.
“I’m leaving,” Champion said.
“I’m glad you’re gone,” he told Campbell. “Because you’re such a piece of trash.”
“I appreciate it,” Campbell said.
“You are trash,” Champion said.
Commissioners Ryan Amsler and John Allocco had already left the meeting.
Campbell said commissioners should limit such purchases to Florida’s other 66 counties, and that buying them in Hernando County amounts to taking advantage of constituents’ misfortune. His proposal would prohibit any sitting commissioner from buying a tax deed, tax certificate or tax lien in the county while in office.
“This ordinance is intended to promote transparency, accountability and public trust in our county government,” Campbell said. “The goal is to ensure that the public can have confidence that decisions made by our elected officials are based solely on what is best for Hernando County and not influenced by personal financial decisions.”
Campbell said he has explored buying tax deeds himself but objects to commissioners doing so while holding office.
“This isn’t something that hasn’t been brought up before,” Campbell said. “We’ve railed on other commissioners for the perception of impropriety. I think this is downright wrong.”
Champion responds
Champion said he has bought tax deeds and certificates for 30 years at public auction through a private company, and he tied Campbell’s proposal to the Aug. 18 election.
“This is a slimy tactic by this so-called chairman. That’s why it’s a good thing he’s gone,” Champion said. “He’s talking about me. He’s talking about this slimy fire union that tried to smear me over this last week, which there’s lawsuits coming for that.”
“It’s a slimy tactic for elections to get his little buddy into office,” Champion said. “I don’t want anything to do with it. I’m leaving.”
A firefighters union official recently posted a message on Facebook urging voters not to support Champion’s daughter, Kara Champion, a candidate for the Hernando County School Board, according to published reports.
Campbell said he had no idea what Champion was referring to and had not seen the post.
“This has zero to do with the fire union,” he said. He added that he was tired of the criticism commissioners have faced.
Champion attended the July 30 budget meeting but was absent from the commission’s Aug. 4 land use meeting.