Simply, we need an explanation

Happy Monday! Let’s jump right into the week.

Last week’s revelation that County Administrator Steve Howard and board Chair Rebecca Bays requested $3 million in state funding for C.R. 491 widening without public knowledge has certainly turned a lot of heads.

Tuesday’s board agenda includes Bays asking the board to “ratify” Howard’s signature on a document that accompanied the request. The Senate budget includes $1.5 million for C.R. 491; nothing in the House budget.

​Not going to rehash the whole thing. And as you’ll see here today, it’s my hope commissioners address this head-on, get everything out into the open, and move on.

Let me address a few points:

— First off, this isn’t the crime of the century, so let’s all just simmer down some. But it’s a serious breach in public protocol, to say the least.

We need to get everything out. Bays and Howard should realize the uproar this has caused, both locally and in Tallahassee.

— The county administrator signed a House of Representatives form attesting to the truthfulness of the appropriations request. The appropriations request states it was “presented to and supported by the Citrus County BOCC at their regular meeting.”

Um…what? That never happened, which is one reason why we’re in this mess. It never came to the County Commission. I hope a commissioner on Tuesday asks Howard to clear that up. 

— A review of emails shows numerous opportunities for the county to pause. Metro Development Group, developers of the proposed Tuscany Ranch housing/lagoon project, and its lobbyist, The Southern Group, approached the county with the idea of applying for 491 widening funds through a legislative appropriation.

This entire communication between developer and county is wildly inappropriate. It’d be different if Metro already had its development approval in place. Sure, partner up on 491 widening. But the county hasn’t decided on the plan yet, and this makes it appear it’s a done deal.

— The county gave the Chronicle a statement that it was “surprised” to see that Citrus County was listed on the House and Senate appropriation request forms, inferring they thought it was Metro asking for the money and the county receiving it.

First off, that’s crazy. Private companies can’t receive state appropriations on behalf of a local government. If Citrus wanted the money, it would ask.

Plus, the request form has Citrus County all over it. No mention of Metro anywhere. 

The county would only be surprised if Howard didn’t read the form he attested to.

— The county was also “taken aback” by the Senate request going through a Tampa Bay senator, and not Blaise Ingoglia. Sen. Ingoglia, who has a strict process for local governments submitting appropriation requests, was not happy. He dropped into my blog to share his disappointment; it’s a fair guess that the $1.5 million in the Senate budget for 491 is history.

— Former Commissioner Ruthie Schlabach, now a lobbyist with The Southern Group, helped facilitate the request. She sent the documents to Howard on Feb. 26, asking that he sign and return the attestation form as soon as possible.

“That way, we can show you the money!” Schlabach wrote.

He returned the signed and completed forms on March 5.

— Finally, a little perspective. Everyone involved only wants the best for Citrus County. They’re under the gun from citizens about traffic, growth, congestion, affordable housing, homelessness, taxes…you name it. I’m not going to throw Commissioner Bays under the bus because she got a little ahead of the rest of us.

Let’s call this what it really is: a learning experience. As the community moves forward on the One for All discussion, it’s good to know we’re fallible. The best of us stub our toes on occasion. Nothing, other than maybe our reputation in Tallahassee, was damaged. Our egos are bruised a bit and that’s all.

Talk it out and let’s move on.

But, man, it’s gotta be clear. Keep the public’s business in the public. There can’t be a next time.

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