The Brooksville City Council held a special meeting on June 30, 2025, to discuss the city’s budget and various departmental needs. The meeting focused on the Information Technology (IT) budget and the Community Development Department's staffing requirements.

The session began with a review of the IT budget, where council members expressed appreciation for the inclusion of all city devices in the budget. This approach aims to prevent unnecessary purchases, such as phones or tablets, when existing equipment can be utilized. Council members acknowledged the importance of having a full-time Public Information Officer (PIO) to enhance communication with residents, highlighting improvements in public notices and social media engagement.

A notable discussion point was the $1,500 line item for Leadership Hernando, a training program for city staff. One council member proposed removing this amount from the budget for the time being, suggesting that it could be reconsidered later if funds allow. The council reached a consensus to strike this item from the current budget.

As the meeting progressed, the council reviewed proposed cuts and changes to the IT budget, resulting in a total reduction of $128,088 from the operating costs. A council member suggested pausing requests for new software platforms for Development and Human Resources, emphasizing the need to prioritize existing departmental needs before committing to new expenses.

The council also discussed the importance of upgrading outdated technology and ensuring that departments justify their software requests. There was a consensus on the necessity of evaluating contracts to ensure the city is receiving the best value for its expenditures.

The Community Development Department's budget was presented next, with the director outlining a need to increase staffing from nine to eleven positions. This increase is driven by the anticipated loss of two key planning staff members, which would impact the review of building permits.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate departmental needs and budgetary constraints, with an emphasis on transparency and responsible spending of taxpayer dollars. The council plans to continue discussions on these topics in future meetings, ensuring that all departments are adequately supported while maintaining fiscal responsibility.