The Concern was Annexation

Mayor Joe Johnston has sent correspondence to Diane Rowden, chair of the Hernando County Commission, requesting clarification of the county's intention in reference to the "First Right to Serve Areas" spelled out in the sewer and water agreement between the city and the county. In his letter, Mr. Johnston cited comments made at the Hernando County Planning & Zoning Commission, and subsequently the BOCC, regarding the intent or specific provisions of this sewer and water agreement. Ms. Rowden has added this letter, with the service agreement, to next Tuesday's Board of County Commission meeting agenda for discussion. An indepth discussion took place on this "First Right Serve" agreement at the P & Z several months ago when I questioned why the city was requiring annexation agreements be signed by the applicants before receiving water connections to their projects through the city. These annexation agreements are for properties not currently located with the city limits but in the "First Right to Serve" area. On many projects, the P & Z determines what type of utilities are necessary for a project like county water, wells, septic tanks, or city water and sewer under this "First Right to Serve" agreement. The concern was focused on the P & Z approving zoning agreements that would arbitrarily force property owners to annex into the city just to receive water to their projects. The county commission also discussed this issue at length at one of their recent meetings. I'm sure everyone recalls the turmoil over the water agreement to the new Emergency Management building under construction which required the county to annex a portion of their parking area into the city to receive water under this "First Right to Serve" agreement. P & Z members are concerned that applicants that come before their board, in this "First Right to Serve" area, for zoning requests are being forced into annexation without any voice in the matter. It will be interesting to hear the discussion that will ensue before the Board of County Commissioner's next Tuesday.