'Unknown' by The Newscaster Nature Coast News

PAGE 3 - March 7, 2012

The Newscaster-Nature Coast News

Citrus Budget Workshop to

Inglis Meet the Candidates Report

Focuswrestling with some harsh decisions on what to cut from the “MeetThthe fiCandidates”teforumnongSaturdaythMarchg3lisinCthe mission seats weRoomitatedthe

on State Cuts

Special to The Newscaster by Ruth Rupert

e ve candida s run in for the ree In om

re inv

Commissioners

Citrus County leaders are

Inglis Town Hall. The election is Tuesday March 13th.

the County’s 2012-2013 budget if certain proposals are passed in the State Legislature. Cit-

This forum was sponsored by the Inglis Recreation Advisory Board Activity Com-

rus County Commissioners could soon be dealing with more unfunded mandates.

mittee (RABAC). The intent of the forum was to educate the voters about the candidates.

The Medicaid cost shift is where the bulk of the money will come from. SB 1988

The two hour forum fielded questions from the 50-60 member audience on such

has passed the Senate. The Bill is now HB 5301, and will be negotiated this week as part of

subjects as economic development (potential businesses and their impact), zoning, infra-

the budget conference process.

structure (existing and future), jobs, staff (to include the Inglis Police Department), the

Basically, The Medicaid Cost Shift (HB 5301) is disputed bills for Medicaid bill-

budget, taxes, goals for the town, public safety, the environment, recycling, public works

ing. Currently, the County pays for a portion of Medicaid costs for hospitalization and

and negative campaigning.

nursing home beds for County residents. Unfortunately, due to the ‘new’ Medicaid billing

Incumbent candidates Sherry Ely, Richard Kellman and Drinda Merritt were pres-

system many counties have been billed incorrectly, double billed or had other mistakes in

ent. Candidate Michael Andrew White had a previous job commitment in another state,

while candidate Glenda Kirkland declined the invitation. The absent candidates failed to

establishing proof of residency. County leaders say the county did its due diligence in keep-

provide a written opening or closing statement regarding their positions on any issues. Au-

ing billing paperwork up to date.

dience members expressed confusion and disappointment in this absence as they wanted

The state estimates that counties owe approximately $325.5 million in back billing.

clarification on specific issues these candidates had raised.

For Citrus County, the state says the bill stands at $844,000. The state will allow counties

The incumbents each gave a 2 minute opening and closing statement and answered

to pay the bill over three years. The Legislature is proposing collecting overdue payments

over 35 questions from the audience. Ely, Kellman and Merritt all touched on their ac-

by withholding revenue sharing dollars (revenues that go to the counties such as a counties

complishments during their tenures and reiterated how pleased they were at the turnout of

share of State Sales Tax) from the delinquent counties. The State will subtract $288,000 for

concerned citizens. RABAC would like to thank all of those that made this forum a success,

three years from the $2.8 Million we receive each year in State Revenue Share. These are

starting with the people that gave up part of their Saturday to provide questions for the can-

the estimated numbers the State of Florida has released for each county. The County starts

didates. Thanks to the Pages who handed out and picked up question cards: John Curtis,

paying October 1, 2012.

Kaloin Nedeltchev and Heather Carson; the Screeners that screened the questions for appro-

There is an Amendment to HB 5301 which could ease some of the pressure from

priateness: Jenny McCarthy, Rick Rubrigi and Christina Anderson; and the Timekeepers

Florida counties if passed. There would be a larger discount of 26% instead of the original

Susan Edwards and Lynn Tate.

15% for counties backlog. Instead of the payments being made over three years, it would

give counties 5 years to pay the state.

An Amazing Deal...

ON !

Other counties, already strapped for cash are feeling the same effects. For exam-

L-F RTY

ple, Hernando County is facing a $2.7 million dollar bill. Alachua – $11 million. Orange -

Suggested Opening Bid $275,000

AN OPE

$24 million. The State has promised it won’t let any county go below 50% of their Revenue

C R

Share. A budget workshop will be held Wednesday, March 7, at 9am in the Citrus County

Courthouse, 110 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness.

A Boater’s Paradise

Replenishment project will close Fort Island Gulf Beach

in Yankeetown!

Starting Monday, March 19, Citrus County Parks and Recreation will close Fort

Custom log home located on a canal

Island Gulf Beach in Crystal River for a Renourishment project. Cemex will bring in ap-

that leads to some of the most spectacular

proximately 1,600 tons of sand to replenish the current sand at the beach.

fishing spots the Gulf of Mexico has to

The County has been involved with the beach renourishment program since 1996.

offer. Built on stilts, this gorgeous custom

Beach renourishment is a common shore protection measure that preserves beach resources.

log home boasts a covered wraparound

balcony with exquisite views. The modern

The County is waiting to begin the project until after Citrus County’s Spring Break.

interior is finished with wood paneling.

The project should be completed on or before Friday, March 30.

You now have the opportunity to bid

Approximately 3/4-acre

2 bedrooms/2 baths plus 2 lofts

on these Auction Homes!

Boat workshop/garage apartment

Sound concrete seawall

2 docks that each accommodate up to

-- Fantastic 3/2 on one acre with beautiful view of over 50 rolling acres

a 30’ boat

Access to Withlacoochee Bay and the

of farmland

Gulf of Mexico

-- Fantastic 3/2 on two acres in the mini farms

Auction: March 24, 2012

-- Newer 3/2 in Citrus Springs

11AM • On Site

Congratulations to Ms. Bobbie for being the high bidder from last week, She

Open House: March 10 and 11

bid on a lovely cement block home in Crystal River. She was high bidder for

11AM - 2PM

just $25K Wow, What a buy! If you wish to steal an auction home, What are you

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

waiting for? Call us today for a free Auction List. Many more homes all areas all

YankeetownAuction.com

prices.

800.327.1048

Brokers

Diamond Investments, Inc.

Welcome!

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Licensed Real Estate Broker

352-447-4442

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www.diamondhomesandland.com

Licensed Florida Auctioneer#AU4300

An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated By NRT LLC. Lic. #AU3707 and #AU3715.

Bobbalu's Free Sub Club Card

Carl Roof, Inc.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 11

Get yours at Inglis Super Stop

At 2:00 a.m. the time changes to 3:00 a.m.

Land Clearing - Fill - Septic Installation

Buy Any 4 Foot Long subs, anytime,

Carl Roof, Owner

SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR BEFORE YOU GO TO BED

get one Free!

19371 SE Butler Rd.

Inglis, FL 34449

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Hwy 40 at US 19 - Inglis

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ONE HOUR