<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1bt0BJ_1GrlA6Op00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1bt0BJ_1GrlA6Op00" width="695" height="463" ></figure>Seeking to upgrade its efforts in collecting debt, the Board of County Commissioners has granted the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Courts and Comptroller to act as an agent of the county.An ordinance came before the board during its Oct. 27 meeting allowing for the approval of this new protocol in which the clerk and comptroller can now collect delinquent county debts, establish payment plans and refer unpaid debts to a collection agent.“I enthusiastically make a motion to approve,” Commissioner Steve Champion said. “Because any kind of outstanding debt, I’m just surprised we’re not already doing this. I know we’ve made some improvements throughout the years.”Commissioner John Mitten added that he would “enthusiastically second that motion,” noting that the clerk of courts would be in the best position to deal with delinquent debts.An analysis by county staff initiated at the board’s request revealed approximately $4.2 million outstanding debts combined between special master liens and animal services. The animal service debts total $2,849,461.40, dating back as far as 2011, though only $445,000 has been accumulated over the past seven years. Those debts come from citation fines, special master orders, recording fees and interest and have been collected by animal service staff at just a 26% rate annually. As for the special master liens, those are collected by development service/code enforcement staff. Through 2025, the debt stood at $1,363,975.39, a number that covers approximately 1,696 liens and traces back to the year 2000 despite being collected at an annual rate of 115%.“Presently the debt collection efforts for the areas where we found that there was an opportunity for improvement, the idea is that is done by staff and staff simply are not able to collect the debt,” said Carla Rossiter-Smith, director procurement and strategic initiatives. “They do not have the time. So it’s not getting done as optimally as it may.”Collection methods for utilities and abatements will not be altered by this ordinance, as both are deemed effective since neither has produced any negligible outstanding debt.The ordinance was approved unanimously 4-0. Commissioner John Allocco was not present at the meeting. “Both of those are big opportunities and all of these things are important, but if we’re going to get peoples’ attention there has to be consequences,” Board Chair Jerry Campbell said. “It can’t just be, ‘Oh you’ve got this lien against you but nobody’s ever going to collect it.’ So I would definitely be in favor of this as well.”The BOCC also approved revisions to the Tourism Development Council’s special event marketing grant program. The program would now offer four levels of sponsorships.Bronze level sponsorships, the lowest of the levels, would provide signature event listing on FloridasAdventureCoast.com events page, inclusion in monthly and weekly e-blast newsletters, the event being added to Florida’s Adventure Coast social channels leading up to the event and a social media ad campaign through Florida’s Adventure Coast channels. This package is valued at $1,000.Silver level sponsorship adds a custom video featuring the event for promotional use, upping the value of the package to $2,500. Gold level, valued at $3,000, includes a paid advertising campaign on NatureCoaster.com, and platinum level, valued at $5,500, would add a paid advertising campaign through Miles Partnership.There will also be a TDC marketing sponsorship where the tourism development council could approve media or promotional campaigns presented by the applicant for funding specific items within their submission. “I think it’s a great idea,” Commissioner Ryan Amsler said. “You have much better control over those dollars. Plus you have all the tools in your wheelhouse, all the connections to leverage as well when you’re guiding those dollars.”“I agree, everyone wins,” Commissioner Champion said. “We bring revenue in to keep advertising for tourism. The business wins because they get the audience.”Two public works items were swiftly approved, as well. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office requested to use existing budget to cover an estimated $50,000 for a generator, which would avoid putting animals at risk during a power outage. HCSO also requested to add programmatic design of the existing structure to incorporate with the shelter’s expansion so that a plan will be in place for the next phase. It will cost an estimated $10,000.The other public works items was moving forward using $194,000 in grant money from the Florida Department of Transportation to design a 5-foot wide, 1.041-mile sidewalk along the west side of California Street from Spring Hill Drive to Powell Road, and 300 feet east on the north side of Powell Road to Rowan Road.</div></body>

Block Source: hernandosun.com

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

Seeking to upgrade its efforts in collecting debt, the Board of County Commissioners has granted the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Courts and Comptroller to act as an agent of the county. An ordinance came before the board during its Oct. 27 meeting allowing for the approval of this new...

BOCC ‘Enthusiastically’ Approves New Debt Collection Protocol

NewsBreak

Seeking to upgrade its efforts in collecting debt, the Board of County Commissioners has granted the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Courts and Comptrolle

BOCC ‘Enthusiastically’ Approves New Debt Collection Protocol

Comments