Brooksville City Council approves $526K for wastewater treatment plant expansion design

The Brooksville City Council held a regular meeting on July 7, 2025, addressing several key issues affecting the community. The meeting began with a discussion regarding a property owner’s concerns about accumulating fees related to a property they purchased. The owner expressed frustration over the $98,000 in fees, which they attributed to a lack of due diligence by their title company. Council members acknowledged the owner's situation but emphasized that the city would not be responsible for alleviating these fines, suggesting the owner pursue resolution with the title company instead.

The council reiterated the importance of not setting a precedent for waiving fines and encouraged the property owner to seek legal advice to recover costs from the title company. The discussion highlighted the complexities of property transactions and the responsibilities of buyers to conduct thorough due diligence.

Following this, the council moved on to the next agenda item concerning the expansion of the William S. Smith wastewater treatment plant. Coastal Engineering Associates was recommended for the engineering design services, with a proposal of $526,559, fully funded by a $3 million water quality grant. The council was informed that the plant is currently operating at 60% capacity, with projections indicating it could reach full capacity by 2026.

The expansion is critical not only for accommodating growth but also for meeting new environmental regulations regarding nitrogen levels in effluent water. The council discussed the timeline for the engineering services, which is expected to take about a year, and acknowledged the need for updated plans to comply with current standards.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to addressing community concerns while navigating the complexities of property management and environmental regulations. The next steps involve the property owner engaging with their title company and the city moving forward with the wastewater treatment expansion project.