Private Property Rights & Smart Growth Management

Just suppose for a minute that all the comments in the media outlets are true about the newest conflict between Hernando County and the city of Brooksville, in reference to questions raised about the city annexation policies and the "First Right to Serve" for water/sewer service. Imagine that Garth Coller's only job goal is to intimidate the city of Brooksville while forcing the expansion of county utility services. Assume that the Hernando County Commissioners thoroughly enjoy being a bully to the city of Brooksville. Do these statements seem far-fetched when referring to questions raised about the city annexation policy? You bet these statements are a real stretch of the imagination but they are being repeated as gospel around the county. The two major points of concern that have not been addressed though are private property rights and smart growth management.

The concerns raised about the city annexation policy began at the Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission. Questions were raised, and rightfully so, to ask why property owners in the city's "First Right to Serve" area were being forced to sign future annexation agreements in exchange for receiving necessary sewer and water to their property. The property owners are being put into a position of either signing this agreement or not having necessary sewer/water on their property. These property owners cannot drill a well and use a septic system, or opt for county services, because they fall in that "First Right to Serve" of the city. The only option for property owners is to sign the annexation agreement, period. Mayor Joe Johnston made a statement to the press that no one was complaining except for county officials. The problem is that the property owner is not aware that these conditions exist until trying to develop their land. The city has put a whole new meaning to depriving a person of their private property rights. No signed annexation agreement, no water or sewer from the city.

Smart growth requires long term planning for services like roads, water, sewer, police and fire protection. Hernando County has 5, 10 and 25 year plans are in place to correlate services with this infrastructure for future growth. Even though these plans are flexible, it makes it virtually impossible achieve long term plans if the county boundaries are a variable in the planning mix. Every time one of these annexation agreements is signed by a property owner, the 5 miles radius ring for this "First Right to Serve" area for the city expands further into the county's planning area. Future long term plans, like those prepared by Hernando County, will decrease the cost of government while increasing the benefit of the services we receive while protecting our quality of life. Its time to stop shooting the messenger and say thanks to the Hernando County Planning Department for their expertise in future growth management that will benefit all of us, even those is the city of Brooksville.