At the Tuesday, September 4 tentative budget hearing, the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously approved the FY2019 tentative budget totaling $448,924,244, which is $3.9 million less than the current year’s approved budget.

Commissioners also voted to maintain the existing 6.8912 millage rate. The tax rate, $6.89 for every $1,000 of assessed property value, will contribute to the General Fund budget of $110,505,364. Along with borrowing from reserves, staff was directed to take the following actions to reduce the General Fund and balance the budget:

• Removed 10 full-time, unfilled positions from the Technical Services, Code Enforcement, Facilities, Parks, Library, Administration and Purchasing departments saving $446,241
• Removed various parks, sensitive lands and facility maintenance projects saving $824,000
• Removed $100,000 from the economic incentive fund

Funding remained in the General Fund budget for a re-roof at the Westside Government Center and a compensation study. The Sheriff’s Office, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector and the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller budgets were tentatively approved in full.

Adoption of the tentative millage rates are as follows:

The final budget hearing will be held Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 5:01 p.m., at the Government Center located at 20 N. Main Street in Brooksville.