Hernando commissioners to vote Tuesday on South Brooksville redevelopment plan and Brooksville Plaza broker fee

Hernando County commissioners are scheduled to vote Tuesday on a redevelopment plan for unincorporated South Brooksville and on paying up to $82,500 in broker's commission tied to the county's $5.5 million purchase of Brooksville Plaza on South Broad Street. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. Oct. 13 in the John Law Ayers Commission Chambers, Room 160, on the first floor of the Government Center at 20 N. Main St. in Brooksville.

South Brooksville redevelopment and Brooksville Plaza milestones

1. Dec. 12, 2023

   Commission adopts Finding of Necessity for South Brooksville

2. Feb. 5, 2026

   Steering committee approves the redevelopment plan

3. July 28, 2026

   Commission approves $5.5 million Brooksville Plaza contract

4. Aug. 13, 2026

   Broker agrees to 1.5% commission, $82,500

5. Oct. 13, 2026

   Votes on redevelopment plan, trust fund and commission

Source: hernandocountyfl.legistar.com; hernandocountyfl.legistar.com; hernandocountyfl.legistar.com

What the redevelopment vote would do

One resolution bundles three actions. It would approve the Community Redevelopment Plan for the unincorporated South Brooksville Community Redevelopment Area, rename the existing Kass Circle Community Redevelopment Agency as the Hernando County Community Redevelopment Agency, and reaffirm the Kass Circle Redevelopment Plan.

A separate ordinance on the same agenda would create an Unincorporated South Brooksville Community Redevelopment Trust Fund. The county's staff summary says that if commissioners approve the plan, a Community Redevelopment Trust Fund will be set up. Staff recommends approval and authorizing the chairman to sign the resolution.

The plan attached to the agenda item is titled "South Brooksville CRAs Joint Community Redevelopment Plan June 2026." The county's summary describes it as a master plan meant to be adopted by both Hernando County and the City of Brooksville, so Tuesday's vote covers the county's part of that process.

How the plan got here

The effort dates to Dec. 12, 2023, when commissioners adopted a Finding of Necessity under Florida Statutes 163.355. A South Brooksville Steering Committee then helped shape the work. The consultant, Inspire Placemaking Collective, presented the plan to that committee on Feb. 5, 2026, and the committee approved it. The Planning and Zoning Commission has since recommended the plan as consistent with the county's comprehensive plan.

The Brooksville Plaza commission

Commissioners approved a contract on July 28 to buy Brooksville Plaza from Brooksville Commercial Properties, LLC, and Oak Tree Lane, LLC. The property, at 671 and 699 S. Broad St., is intended for a Central Government Annex Building. The $5.5 million price, plus closing costs, is being paid from the county's FY 2026 bond issuance.

The contract used the county's standard language saying the buyer would not pay any brokerage fee or commission. According to the staff summary, though, Robert Buckner began negotiating the purchase on the county's behalf while the county had a brokerage agreement with Robert A. Buckner & Associates, Inc., and represented the county through completion of the negotiations. Staff concluded the firm earned a commission.

In an Aug. 13 email to the county's property manager, Buckner agreed to reduce his commission to 1.5% of the price, or $82,500, according to the summary. Because the approved contract did not allow a commission, the board must adopt a resolution to authorize paying it. The money would come from FY 2026 bond funds.

Other items on the agenda

The agenda also includes an amendment to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission grant agreement for the Lake Townsen Park boat ramp improvement project, and ratification of a Federal Aviation Administration grant for airfield electrical and control tower equipment projects at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.

Commissioners will also be notified of a county letter to the Southwest Florida Water Management District requesting a property conveyance to extend Dusky Warbler Road to Centralia Road, along with utilities. That item is listed as correspondence, not a vote on the road project itself.

Residents who want to follow the vote can attend the 9 a.m. meeting in Room 160 of the Government Center, 20 N. Main St., Brooksville. The full plan and agenda packet are posted on the county's Legistar meeting page.