Hernando D.O.G.E.

PUBLIC COMMENT – BROOKSVILLE MAIN STREET FUNDING

I am requesting a full review by the D.O.G.E. Committee regarding the continued public funding allocated to Brooksville Main Street. While the organization may receive Tourist Development Tax dollars through the TDC grant process, the separate annual fifty thousand dollar General Fund allocation is provided without any open, competitive, or transparent procurement method, as required by Section 287.057, Florida Statutes. This denies other nonprofits any fair opportunity to access the same taxpayer dollars.

The County’s own expenditure records and Brooksville Main Street’s financial statements show the organization is operating with over one hundred thousand dollars in assets while still soliciting direct taxpayer support. Additionally, politically connected individuals serve on its board, raising concerns under Section 112.313, Florida Statutes, which prohibits public officials from granting special privileges to private organizations with political or personal ties.

It is clear the yearly fifty thousand dollar General Fund allocation is not in compliance with Florida procurement law or the public purpose doctrine, so my request is simple. I am asking the D.O.G.E. Committee to review why Brooksville Main Street continues to receive unrestricted General Fund dollars every year without following the competitive solicitation requirements of Section 287.057, Fla. Stat. Other nonprofits in Hernando County deserve a fair, open, and transparent opportunity to compete for these funds instead of one organization being repeatedly awarded taxpayer money outside any competitive process.

I also want to bring attention to broader concerns with county operations. Multiple residents, including myself, have been unable to reach the Building Department and other departments because their phone lines are not working. This is a basic service issue that needs immediate attention. Additionally, the Hernando County Public Library’s website is more user friendly, updated, and easier to navigate than the county government’s own website. When the library system’s website outperforms the primary county site, it signals a need for improved transparency and accessibility across county departments.

I respectfully request that the Committee examine whether the annual General Fund allocation meets the procurement standards in Chapter 287, the ethical requirements under Chapter 112, and the public purpose requirements that are expected to guide all county expenditures. At the same time, I urge the County to address the communication and website accessibility issues that are impacting residents’ ability to obtain services and information.

Thank you for your attention to these matters and for your service to the residents of Hernando County. Louis Johns

So all this is probably pretty unnecessary. The simple thing to do would’ve been to contact. Blaise Ingola new chief financial officer for the state of Florida. In just a few short months he’s found $1 billion worth of waste in just six counties and one city here in Florida. So it seems to me all you would have to do is have him do an audit of Hernando County, like he’s done for the other six counties and one city and we quickly would find out where the waste is.