Minutes/BOCC Public Meeting 12-16-2025 and 01-13-2026

The DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners met on December 16, 2025, and January 13, 2026. Key actions included:

December 16, 2025 Meeting:

• Approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from a previous meeting, an education services agreement with the University of South Florida, a facility use agreement with the American Red Cross, a resolution for the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant (Enactment No: 2025-109), an environmental review services agreement with Cornerstone Community Partners, an amendment to financial advisory services with PFM Financial Advisors, LLC, a declaration of surplus property, a resolution and supplemental agreement for FDOT LAP Sidewalk Design Services for C.R. 760 (Enactment No: 2025-110), an amendment for lobbying services with The Southern Group of Florida, Inc., and an amendment for brokerage services for employee benefits with Brown & Brown, Incorporated.
• Heard presentations on a planned TV series based on "A Land Remembered" and the need for a Comprehensive Plan update to 2050, directing staff to proceed with an agreement with the Central Florida Regional Planning Council.
• Approved technical revisions to the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP), modifying loan forgiveness periods and award amounts for purchase assistance programs.
• Approved a contract with Controls and Weighing Systems for the purchase and installation of a new digital truck scale for the landfill, replacing a 1998 unit.
• Authorized Aloha Medical Services to operate as the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) Designee for medical transportation services (Enactment No: 2025-111).
• Approved accounts and warrants drawn per the Schedule of Bills Payable from November 18 to December 08, 2025.
• Adopted resolutions for budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 affecting various funds (Enactment No: 2025-112).
• Adopted a resolution for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant agreement for a generator at 815 N Mills (Enactment No: 2025-113).
• Approved contract awards for construction services for the King and Baker Drainage System Replacement Project with INLINER SOLUTIONS, LLC, and for the C.R. 769 Bridge over Horse Creek improvements with VIKING DIVING SERVICES, INC.
• Held a public hearing and adopted an ordinance creating Section 20-233 Family Homestead Exemption of the LDR (Enactment No: 2025-019), establishing provisions for family land splits.
• Adopted an ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan to add the Family Homestead Exemption to the Future Land Use Element (Enactment No: 2025-019).
• Accepted a mediated settlement agreement with VCH Holdings and Osceola Organics regarding a biosolids composting facility, with added conditions for environmental protection and operational limits. The Board voted 3-2 to approve.
• Adopted an amended resolution approving the special exception use for Osceola/VCH pursuant to the mediated settlement agreement, incorporating additional conditions, including inspection rights upon complaint disclosure. The Board voted 3-2 to approve.
• Approved a resolution for a revised Improvement Plan for Bridlewood of Arcadia, LLC, related to an on-site wastewater treatment facility.

January 13, 2026 Meeting:

• Approved the consent agenda, including an agreement for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - Fire Station 1 Safe Room and a resolution for the DeSoto County Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group (Enactment No: 2026-001).
• Adopted resolutions for budget amendments affecting capital road grant projects, the library, utilities wastewater capital, and special projects for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Enactment No: 2026-002).
• Approved the 2025 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Report.
• Adopted a resolution granting an outdoor event permit to Arcadia Main Street for the Stars, Stripes and Swing event (Enactment No: 2026-003).
• Confirmed the appointment of Dennis O’Hara as Emergency Management Director and approved his employment contract.
• Discussed revisiting impact fees, with commissioners expressing interest in a limited, road-focused study and requesting cost information from comparable counties. The Board also discussed a request to allow fee-based camping on private property, noting an application was pending with Planning & Zoning.
• Commissioner Schaefer reported on the need for improved lighting along the HWY 70 corridor.