Site work for a water / sewer project in Brooksville, Florida. Conceptual plans call for site work for a water / sewer project.

https://www.hernandosun.com/2025/10/11/city-council-approves-projects-for-legislative-appropriation/ Brooksville City Manager Lisa Hendrickson recommended three projects to the City Council to present to the Florida legislature for appropriation consideration at the next session in spring 2026. These were narrowed down from many applications received for both grants and the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) prospective projects during monthly grant meetings and the quarterly CIP meetings, she said. Per the lobbyist working with the City, they are “potential hot items.” Hendrickson stated that she wanted the proposed projects to align with the City Council’s goals for Brooksville. As the State of Florida requires cities to provide between 20% and 50% of the funding for projects, Hendrickson expressed concern about where that match might be found in the City’s budget. Mayor Christa Tanner agreed, saying that the State will ask if an applicant has requested grants or exhausted all available resources prior to requesting any appropriation. While the money, whether a grant or an appropriation, comes from the State, they are allocated differently. She wants to ensure that grant applications are made, in addition to requesting an allocation for each project. The first project on the agenda was dredging for six identified drainage retention areas. Some of the city’s drainage areas are older and dredging will accomplish several goals. The retention areas will be able to hold excess rainwater, reduce expenses to the City in the long term and improve water quality. The second agenda item was a new wastewater treatment plant on Croom Road. Public Works Director Richard Weeks said the grant application has been submitted for this already. The project is essential due to the population growth in the area, as well as the anticipated influx of new residents to the area as housing and job opportunities increase. The third project Hendrickson recommended involved investment in pedestrian safety. This would include improving crosswalks and signals, striping and sidewalks that conform to the safe sidewalks mandate for students walking to school. Pedestrian safety projects also contribute to accessibility for those wishing to visit Brooksville’s downtown area. Community Development Director David Hainley stated that previously, some matching funds had been provided by the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Vice Mayor Thomas Bronson said that Brooksville is one of the state’s older cities and needs funding to continue preserving Florida’s history. Hendrickson said the lobbyist vetted the proposed projects. She will be completing the applications for both the State Senate and House so that the lobbyist’s firm can decide which representative would be most likely or able to sponsor the requests for the City’s funding. Bronson said the city paid more than $100,000 for an exhaustive survey and master plan for the Parks and Recreation Department. While there are grants available for Parks and Rec, Hendrickson suggested that appropriations would not be a high priority for the governor. The city could focus on obtaining available grants. Mayor Tanner agreed the master plan would be helpful for a grant application, as it is usually a requirement. Council member J.W. McKethan agreed that the three recommended items were necessary to present to the legislature. Mayor Tanner stated that they were important to the city’s infrastructure and understands the lobbying and legislative process involved. Hendrickson received the Council’s consensus to move forward with applying for the appropriations. -------------------------------- Engineering Services for Imporvements to Gretna and Hexam Water The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.