Space report is out of this world

Question: Did you ever start to write a blog and realize the subject matter is so dull, so heavy with government speak that no one, not even your wife, not even your puppy, is going to waste even 3 to 5 minutes of their day reading it?

Now you know where I sit.

The county hired a consultant last year to perform a space study. It cost about $300,000 in American Rescue Plan money.

---

It’s at this point I want to say, “Have a great Thursday, friends,” and sign off. That’s because space studies are, let’s face it, dull as day-old dishwater.

This one didn’t provide any excitement either, other than raising the county commission’s collective blood pressure with suggestions to build, relocate, and renovate, and do it all strategically would cost, oh, give or take a penny, about $150 million.

You read that right. Commissioners wanted NOTHING to do with that.

“I hope we don’t get there,” Commissioner Jeff Kinnard said in the understatement of the day.

Why all this talk about space needs at a time when the county is bursting with other challenges that citizens see every day? Blame (probably not the right word) those in the black robes.

I don’t spend much time in courtrooms. Most people don’t. But growth means more crime, civil lawsuits, house foreclosures, divorces — you get the idea. The state has provided two additional county court judges in the last four years. Plus, additional circuit court judges who spend part of their week in Citrus County.

What’s pushing space needs is judges who need the courtroom space.

The idea is to make the Courthouse a true judicial center. Relocate all the non-court functions, such as County Commission, State Attorney, and Public Defender, elsewhere.

The consultant had some ideas (read the report here). The one that caught my eye was moving the County Commission offices to the Cooperative Extension locale next to the Lecanto Government Building. Why? Because the consultant has extension workers moving somewhere else.

Ye gads.

Fortunately, the county already has someone on the payroll who knows what’s up.

That would be Public Works Director Carlton Hall. Carl is a veteran of county government who has held a number of mid-level roles. He’s the guy who filled in as acting director when the boss leaves for whatever reason.

After the last boss left, Carl received the director’s job permanently.

Carl didn’t wait for the consultants to do their work. He is formulating plans to relocate some non-court offices to the Coca-Cola building (formerly the Supervisor of Elections), including the Public Defender, which is sorta ironic because that’s where the PD was before the county moved it into the Courthouse.

And, in a move that shows true cooperation, the County Commission and administration will relocate to the Inverness Government Center.

That won’t happen right away. The lease with the city will come to the County Commission soon, with offices expected to move in January.

I asked about the board meeting room. Will commissioners meet at Inverness City Hall? The answer is yes, but the public shouldn’t expect that to happen until the end of 2026.

Commissioners were thrilled with Carl and Inverness City Manager Eric Williams. Kinnard noted that relations between the two governments have not always been so cozy.

“It’s a breath of fresh air for sure,” Kinnard said.

As for the consultant’s report, commissioners will schedule a workshop to hammer it out.

It’s government space, and it’s a lot of money. Not the most exciting topic on the planet. Doesn’t tickle the political funny bone. Commissioners aren’t elected to office because of their strong office-space position.

But in a county where our needs are quickly surpassing wants, this falls into the need category. A very, very expensive need.

And now I can say it: Have a great Thursday, friends.

​Join the discussion on our Facebook page.

Support the blog by subscribing to JWC Inner Circle for 99 cents/month.

Individual donations are appreciated through Venmo, PayPal, or Patreon.