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FDOR answers questions
about tourist tax quickly
By Jeff M. Hardison © April 16, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
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     TALLAHASSEE – Within 45 minutes of a journalist asking questions about the state’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT), Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) Communications Director Bethany Cutillo sent an email response late Thursday afternoon (April 26).

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     In Levy County, that 4 percent tax is applied to pay for various approved expenses relate to tourism, as noted by state law.
    According to Florida Statute Section 125.0104, the TDT is a county-levied tax on short-term rentals, used to fund initiatives that increase, boost, and promote tourism. Funds must be spent on capital projects or services that promote tourism, such as convention centers, beach maintenance, sports stadiums and marketing campaigns. It is known as the “bed tax” because the short-term rentals are for visitors who sleep in rented facilities such as hotels, motels, RV resorts, campsites, bed and breakfast locations and the like.
     The TDT can be administered by the FDOR or by local government, Cutillo noted. The FDOR provides a list detailing whether counties’ TDT is administered by the it or locally in Local Option Transient Rental Tax Rates (Form DR-15TDT).
     If the FDOT administers a county’s TDT, the business includes its TDT collections amount on its sales and use tax return (Form DR-15, line D) and remits the collections to the FDOT, either electronically or by mail, she noted.
     All tax returns submitted to the FDOR are reconciled electronically through a math audit process. Businesses may then be selected for an audit with an auditor from the FDOR through a variety of other methods, Cutillo noted. Department auditors audit thousands of businesses each year for the more than 30 taxes and fees the FDOR administers.

Residential development
seems destined for Chiefland
84 singlewide mobile homes
planned on 10 acres in Chiefland
Park models increase is
tentatively approved for RV resort
Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © April 15, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
(except one photo)
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     CHIEFLAND – Three separate development actions appear to be bound to impact Chiefland at different levels following the four members present for the regular City Commission meeting listening and taking some action on Monday night (April 13).
     In all three instances, this is something after the beginning; however, it is not the end of what may come to be in coming years. Right now, a significant factor limits growth in Chiefland. The city’s wastewater treatment capacity is close to its limit. Hence, adding sources that will produce more wastewater for the treatment plant to deal with is something that the city leaders must consider.
Six Triplex Apartments
     In the first instance, a parcel of vacant land – measuring between 3.22 and 3.35 acres (more or less) appears to be bound to switch from designated on the future land use map as “commercial” to become “residential – high density.
     The property is on the south side of Park Avenue (aka Martin Luther King Jr. Road) west of Main Street (aka U.S. Highway 19), across the street from an apartment complex and relatively near to a funeral home.
     The change in designation of zoning and on the map is sought by Genevieve Bullard, A Realtor of Cedar Key who is connected with Bullard Construction, for property owner Susan Sculky of St. Petersburg, according to records.
     Given that the developer reaches the intended goal, this will become six triplex structures to be 18 spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,000 square-feet units. As of now, the buildings will have paved parking areas and sidewalks to each unit, along with lush landscaping and trees throughout.
     On a motion by Chiefland Vice Mayor Norman Weaver, seconded by Chiefland City Commissioner LaWanda Jones, where both were sitting as member of the Chiefland Planning Board, a 3-0 vote was passed for this board to recommend to the Chiefland City Commission (comprised of the same people to approve the applicable Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
     City Commissioner Chris Jones arrived a few minutes late to the Planning Board meeting, but like Mayor Lewrissa Johns, Norman Weaver, and LaWanda Jones, Chris Jones agreed with the recommendation of the Planning Board to approve that amendment when he was city as a City Commission member in the meeting that same night.
     City Commissioner Kim Bennett was absent from both the Planning Board and City Commission meeting of April 13.
84 Single-Wide Mobile Homes

Renda Kay Okike (left) of Newberry, her mother Sandra Webb speak to the City Commission and people in the audience from the lectern on April 13.

     The next item for the City Commission to hear about was a proposal that is taking more form.
     There was no action yet.
     City Manager Laura Cain wanted the City Commission to know about the “Obcube Mobile Home Park Proposal.”
     Renda Kay Okike of Newberry, her mother Sandra Webb and Renda’s husband Chidozie Okike spoke in favor of the Okike couple’s plan to develop the 10.38 acres of land.
     Cain said her reason to put this on the agenda that night was because the city has limited capacity for adding more wastewater input to its current system.
     As the discussion began, Cain reminded the four City Commission members present that this is just a proposal, with no action being sought at that meeting. She just wanted to start the discussion about this possible development.
     Renda Okike said this development will not happen all at once. The single-wide mobile homes will be brought in phases. This is not going to be a subdivision for government housing, which some people label as “Section 8.”
     The goal is to create more affordable housing in Chiefland.

This aerial map from the Levy County Property Appraiser’s Office shows the six sides of the property that will be the place for 84 singlewide mobile homes in Chiefland in the coming years if the developers succeed in bringing the current plan to fruition.
Photo Via Levy County Property Appraiser’s Office 

     These mobile homes will be “rent-to-own” the mobile home for the most part, Okike said, although there will be some of these mobile homes that are going to be for rent only. In both cases, the residents will be paying lot rent.
     Okike shared her vision for this set of 84 single-wide mobile homes on 10 acres of land will be.
     This will “not be a mobile home park,” she said, but instead will be a “mobile home community.”
     People will live with their parents, children and grandchildren in a safe community. Paved roads, lighting and 24-hour surveillance with cameras are part of the safe concept. Okike said she intends to give law enforcement and first responders a discounted rate on lot rent.
     “All of the homes will be new – brand new homes,” she said. “So, it’s not going to be bringing in old mobile homes and cluttering up.”
     Okike said the minimum lot space will be 3,000 square feet, with the mobile home taking up 1,000 of those square feet. There will be a basketball court, a park for children and an office.


Nancy Zubler-Turner, a Realtor with Big Bend Home & Land, expresses her opinion about 84 single-wide mobile homes on 10 acres of land.

     Nancy Zubler-Turner, a Realtor with Big Bend Home & Land, was among members of the public asking the developer about the plans.
     “Eighty-four homes on 10 acres seems like a lot,” Zubler-Turner said. 
     She questioned the ability of a park manager to be able to keep an area clean when there are so many families packed into such a tight space.
     Okike said there will be a maintenance man who will be paid through part of the revenue for lot rent to keep lawns mowed, etc. People renting spaces will know there is an expectation to keep property from becoming cluttered, she intimated.
     Betsy Hunt asked about the cost of lot rent and purchase price added for the mobile home. Okike said lot rent will be between $400 to $600 with the current projections and added to that will be the cost of the person who is renting to own a mobile home. That fee will be different, depending on how much the buyer puts down to start the process.
     Hunt said the affordable housing price should not be $2,000 to $3,000 a month, but Okike did not list a range of monthly costs for these rent-to-own options.


Chidozie Okike clearly explains the business model for this development.

     Her husband Chidozie Okike elaborated on what his wife said.
     People who bring their own brand-new home, he added, will pay only the lot rent of $400 to $600 a month. People who are renting to own will pay more. People who are just renting a mobile home, Chidozie Okike continued, will pay the lot rent fee as well as the fee to rent the mobile home – this will be paid in one single fee, even though the development owners will understand that part is for lot rent and part is for the renting of this brand new singlewide mobile home.
     This rental fee, Chidozie Okike, said is $1,200 to $1,500 a month – depending on the mobile home being rented.
     Chidozie Okike gave many details, including on mobile homes they own in Gainesville, where they do not own the property but just the mobile homes that they rent. He spoke about people building equity in their mobile homes that they are renting to own.
     They can list those homes to sell, and they will see some return on that investment. Likewise, grandparents who buy mobile homes can leave those homes to grandchildren, etc. If a person buys a mobile home through the rent-to-own method, they may choose to move that mobile home to another location, Chidozie Okike said.
     If a mobile home is moved, he added, then they will just fill that vacancy with a new mobile home.
     One woman from the public spoke and said she said she feels these residential units are going to be too close to one another for her to want to live there.
     As noted, this was an informational item on the agenda. There was no action.
     Chidozie Okike said he understands that the city does not want all 84 sites to be developed and filled with mobile homes at one time at the start of this process.
RVs or Park Models
     Sun Southern Leisure Regional Manager Becca Redmond essentially found the four City Commissioners present that night agreeing to her request to change another 12 slots to be for park models than for RVs.
     The difference is that park models do not have wheels, and people connect screen rooms to them and the like. The park models do not impact the volume of wastewater, Chiefland City Manager Cain said.
     The recreational vehicles drive in and drive out. In Florida, a person is not allowed to reside in an RV in one space for more than six months. People get around this by a husband signing a lease for six months and a wife signing for six months.
     The Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) collects a certain percentage of the rent paid at RV resorts, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast places, and anywhere that makes money off of overnight stays in Florida.
     The FDOR then sends a certain part of that to the counties from whence the money came. This is known colloquially as a bed tax.
     Bed tax revenue paid to counties may be used for specific purposes related directly to tourism.
     In Chiefland, the RV resorts, or RV parks, are limited to how many park models can exist. Over time, this RV resort was bought by a company different from the one that originally developed it, essentially next to Walmart.
     City Commissioner Chris Jones spoke highly of the residents at the RV park. He said during the COVID 19 Global Pandemic the revenue from RV residents helped the city.
     As for whatever percentage of space the City Commission allows for park models rather than RV slots, it is up to the elected leaders. The four leaders present at the meeting on Monday seemed to have little concern about the percentage of park models versus RVs at this RV resort. 
     Either way, RVs and park models both pay the bed tax.

19th Annual Mosquito Factory Fly-In
draws people to Levy County

This view of a Mosquito helicopter owned by Mike Marshall shows these flying machines are built for one person to fly.

Story, Photos and Videos By Jeff M. Hardison © April 12, 2019 at 3:30 p.m.
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     LEVY COUNTY – The 19th Annual Mosquito Factory Fly-in attracted people in helicopters and airplanes to unincorporated Levy County on Saturday (April 11). Also arriving there were many visitors in cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, RVs and other land-based vehicles.

     That amazing set of hours of fun happened as the first of the two-day fly-in event, and similar action happened today (Sunday, April 12). The event opened at about 8 a.m. on Saturday after a Friday night celebration at Ames Airfield in Levy County. A meeting of pilots at 9 a.m. on Saturday helped the pilots understand logistics as well as to be reminded of safety methods when several aircraft are in one area at the same time, and some pilots or operators do not have radio contact with the air boss, whose decisions are absolute and final about who is using the runway and where to taxi, etc.
     “Wow!” is the singular word to concisely describe the fun, excitement and kindness experienced by many, and definitely enjoyed by a visiting journalist who has covered Mosquito helicopter events before for about 20 years now.
     During the 19th Annual Mosquito Factory Fly-In, every pilot was ready, willing and able to share their stories and reasons they love to fly, as well as anything else a person wanted to know.
     The community of fliers is full of people who constantly strive to help one another. This set of hobbyists and professionals is like a huge family. Not only do they share insight about all aspects related to flight, but they care about one another in their aeronautic community. For instance, one friend drove from the east coast to the west coast of Florida to mow the lawn of a fellow flier whose yard was bound to need it while the one man recovered from significant injury, and that fellow airman just showed up – without being asked, and without being expected.
     Stories like this example from some years ago are incalculable.
     This fly-in nowadays, however, has moved from the area next to the manufacturing shop in Trenton (Gilchrist County), where machines are still built and repaired, to the relatively new airfield that includes 70 acres of open space, part of which being a 2,600-foot long by 75-food wide landing strip of relatively smooth turf, where small airplanes can come and go.
     There is enough open ground space, too, for helicopter pilots to travel at very low altitudes as they enjoy flying their machines, as well as to land and take off – essentially straight up and down. And there was no problem parking or fee imposed to park.
     With parasails, single-seat helicopters, bigger helicopters, small airplanes, including a biplane, all air traffic was guided by air bosses – Mark Klair and Paul Grieshaber, two of the many volunteers who made this event a safe success again this year.



Jacob Martin of McMinnville, Tennessee, flies in a parasail with a trail of smoke to show. He is seen here through windows of the tower at Ames Airfield in Levy County on Saturday (April 11). Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights reserved


Both helicopters from MaxFlight Helicopter Services Of Kissimmee come in for a landing on the first day of the fly-in (Saturday, April 11) at Ames Airfield in Levy County. The white helicopter is a 2023 Robinson R44 Raven I (one) helicopter and the yellow one is a 2005 Robinson R22 Beta helicopter. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights reserved


Here are some clips of the Mosquito Composite XET -- the flagship of the XE models. Powered by a modified T62-T2A Solar Turbine engine, the XET sounds awesome with the quintessential turbine whine, smells great with the consumption of Jet A fuel, and is powerful, as noted by the builders. This was built by Mark Klare and is owned by William F.E. Kline III. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights reserved


Rick Martin, a dealer of Mosquito helicopters in Wisconsin, helps a child experience a simulator to see what it is like to fly a one-person Mosquito helicopter. This was part of the fun on Saturday (April 11). Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights reserved


This is some of the airplane flight Jeff Hardison enjoyed on April 11 thanks to pilot Bill Palmer of Cross City. This film was taken through a closed window of a 1962 Cessna Model 150, two-seater airplane. The plane took off and landed at Ames Airfield in Levy County. A slight wind burst on takeoff and a slight bump upon landing was all part of the fun. This plane is owned by Mike Beville. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video. 
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights reserved


Co-founder of the Composite-FX company -- Mosquito Helicopters -- Dwight Junkins is seen in a trailer that is used as the observation tower, as well as a concession stand for hotdogs and other treats, and as a place of sale for tee-shirts and other Mosquito merchandise. The annual fly-in has progressed and grown over the past two decades.


Mark Klair, seen here with microphone in hand, is one of the air bosses for the event. The other volunteer who helped pilots know the safest methods for so many aircraft in an area was Air Boss Paul Griershaber. While this is not an FAA level of guiding pilots, the friendly but efficient management works.

Jacob Lawson, 27, of McMinnville, Tennessee flies into the fly-in as a parasail pilot. Lacking radio contact, he took extra care to know where it was safe for him to fly during the event.


When an actual mosquito is seen posing on a picnic table under the tent, it is bound to have its picture published on the 16-year-old, multiple award-winning, free, news website.


Mike Marshall agrees to provide a photo-op as he stands next to his Mosquito helicopter.


This structure on wheels has the observation tower on the right side with windows (closed at the moment this photo was taken) for the purchase of snacks, drinks and merchandise.

There were great photo opportunities to capture aircraft that day.


Quin Pronk, 22, of the Netherlands is seen next to the R44 he landed on Saturday at Ames Airfield in Levy County. Some of his friends call him ‘The Flying Dutchman.’ He is part of the team from MaxFlight Helicopter Services of Kissimmee.


The R22 helicopter that is part of the fleet from MaxFlight Helicopter Services of Kissimmee is seen soon after landing on Saturday.

     The Mosquito helicopters are the world’s premier single-seat experimental and ultralight helicopters. Composite-FX is the manufacturer of the XE Series helicopters, commonly known as the Mosquito, a single seat helicopter – using piston or turbine engines.
     At the two-day event again this year there were helicopter rides; helicopter training with a certified flight instructor; seminar and factory tours; static displays; flight demonstrations; a flight simulator, food and refreshments, and souvenirs like Mosquito gear – including tee-shirts heralding this 19th year of the annual fly-in.
     Mosquito Helicopters Co-Founder Dwight Junkins was as gracious as always, inviting people to enjoy their helicopters and other aircraft. He was among the main speakers during the pilots’ conference early Saturday morning. Another significant speaker at the conference was Mark Klair, pilot, Mosquito enthusiast and air boss. He reminded pilots about the vital need for clear communications with the air boss in the tower so that there were no accidents. Mike Marshall was among the several other volunteers who helped everyone at the event as well.
     Really, the pilots at this event clearly put others’ needs and wants first rather than being self-centered. They are similar to basketball team players on teams like the University of Florida Gators. They are selfless rather than selfish.
     As for people coming from far and near, they did. There were pilots from the Tri-County Area of Levy, Gilchrist and Dixie counties, like Bill Palmer of Dixie County. He helps people find hangar space at Cross City Airport with his business that is currently named Red Roof Aviation. He saw a logo from his father Hank Palmer’s company Aeroplane Co. Palmer of St. Petersburg, Florida, which was established in 1937. Using that logo, he will have the same new name for his company – replacing “St. Petersburg, FL” with “Cross City, FL,” and replacing “1937” with “2000.”
     Palmer said he became extremely interested in flying when he was eight years old, influenced by his father.
     Henry “Hank” Palmer (Oct. 14th, 1919 – Jan. 15, 2013) was a WWII United States Navy pilot, taking part in the Pacific battles of Leyte Gulf and Midway, a master mechanic, commercial pilot, restorer of antique automobiles and airplanes, and devoted husband and father, who had extensive experience building and flying airplanes before, during and after the war.
     Bill Palmer offered to take journalist Jeff M. Hardison on a plane ride in a 1962 Cessna 150, two-seater airplane. Hardison just wanted a short ride; so, they flew from the airfield and circled back and landed after flying over Lancaster Correctional Institution in Gilchrist County.


The two logos, one from the old company in Pinellas County and one from the current company in Dixie County are seen here.


     To see one of the many stories, photos and videos from the Dixie County Chamber of Commerce’s Expo and Fly-Ins at Cross City Airport , click HERE.
     Palmer shared some insight about the fence used at the fly-in this year. It is the very same portable fence created by Dana Sheffield for the former annual Dixie County Chamber of Commerce Expo and Fly-in, which stopped for a couple of years ago and is not forecast to restart.
     Junkins donated to the Experimental Aircraft Association 797 of Live Oak. That donation, Palmer said, will probably be the final touch so that the EAA can put fabric on the plane it is building. The EAA donated the fence for use at the annual fly-ins, which are now in Levy County.
     This EAA chapter has the following programs: VMC Club, Young Eagles, Technical Counselors, and Ray Aviation Scholarship.
     That EAA website is https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa797.
     Coming from farther than Dixie County were pilots and ground-based travelers from Canada, New York, Alabama, Colorado, Tennessee and other several of the other 50 states.


Members of the Maxflight team on Saturday seen here are (from left) George Mancin; Aline Ramos; founder and owner - Austi Tarter-LeClercq; Quin Pronk and Matthias Willberger.


One of the bigger airplanes of the day -- a two-seater Cessna rolls down the smooth, turf runway as pilot Bill Palmer arrives in Levy County from Cross City Airport in Dixie County.


Pilot Bill Palmer is seen next to the 1962 Cessna Model 150, two-seater airplane that he flew to provide his friend and visiting journalist Jeff M. Hardison with a short trip in the air, perfectly granting the journalist’s request for a very customized flight.


Some of the control panels to fly the 1962 Cessna Model 150, two-seater airplane, are seen here.


Anthony Johnson (left) of Greenville, South Carolina, and Dave Storey of Tennessee, work with the fencing to add to safety features on the airfield. This is the very fencing used year after year at the Annual Dixie County Chamber of Commerce Expo and Fly-in, which fencing was the work of Dana Sheffield, an aeronautical enthusiast. Storey is among the significant people who helped the event enjoy success again this year.


One of the largest helicopters of the day is seen as it flies over Ames Field in Levy County.

A small, orange-colored 2010 kit airplane based in Georgia lands, taxis and then parks at Ames Field in Levy County on Saturday. Experimental aircraft were among the many flying machines at the fly-in this year.


The two biggest helicopters of the morning, both from MaxFlight Helicopter Services, are seen close to each other in this photo. The pilots from this company are extremely qualified and professional, including being flight instructors.

Inside a large hangar at Ames Airfield in Levy County some Mosquito helicopters are parked.


Rick Martin volunteers as the flight simulator operator as a man looks through 3-D googles while ‘flying’ a Mosquito helicopter. The simulator is complete with movement to provide for a relatively authentic experience.

     Two members of the flight team from MaxFlight Helicopter Services Of Kissimmee are from The Netherlands and from Germany. A third team member came from Portugal. That company offered flight instructions in a white-colored 2023 Robinson R44 Raven I (one) helicopter and in a yellow-colored 2005 Robinson R22 Beta helicopter.
     The cost was $190 for 30 minutes in the smaller R22 helicopter or $380 for one hour. That ‘copter had a weight limit of 210 pounds for the passenger.
     The rate for the R44 (three seats – 600 pounds) was $300 for 30 minutes or $600 for one hour.
     MaxFlight is a high-quality helicopter educational institution.
     The website to learn more about MaxFlight Helicopter Services is https://maxflightheli.com/. Members of the Maxflight team from that company Saturday are founder and owner Austi Tarter-LeClercq, Quin Pronk of The Netherlands, Aline Ramos of Portugal, Matthias Willberger of Germany and George Mancin. Their top service was educational, although learning about flying helicopters is a fun part of that destination toward the arrival point of earning various licenses to fly through certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. Tarter-LeClercq served in the United States Marine Corps before starting her company.
     Junkin, the business owner who hosts the Mosquito Fly-In event each year spoke with HardisonInk.com about his helicopter sales and service company thriving.
     Junkin said this past year has been particularly good for Mosquito Helicopters. He shipped more do-it-yourself helicopter kits in 2025 than during the total number shipped in the two years before then.
     He said the COVID-19 Global Pandemic led to people being on a waiting list because the supply chain for parts was clogged. Things are moving properly now, he said.
     Mike Messex, a pilot from Harvest, Alabama, has three Mosquito helicopters. He is pleased with them all, and they get different hours of running per tank of fuel depending partially on the horsepower, although wind-resistance and other factors affect distance covered over time, or distance per tank of fuel. Hours in the air are more of a measure than miles per gallon of fuel.
     These helicopters are not made for especially long flights, he said. They are to be enjoyed like a sportster car on a weekend. The Marlin Sportster is a British-built, retro-styled sports car often sold as a kit or fully built, designed to blend vintage looks with modern BMW drivetrain reliability.
     Some people say a Mosquito helicopter is a viable, affordable, single-seat “motorcycle of the sky” for short-distance, personal point-to-point transportation, cruising around 70-90 mph with a potential 120-mile range. It requires specialized training to fly and is best for private, clear weather travel due to its lightweight construction and limited cargo capacity. The weather at the airfield on Saturday could be labeled “Chamber of Commerce weather,” or good flying weather.
     To learn more about Mosquito Composite helicopters, visit the website at https://composite-fx.com/.
     To see the Aug. 13, 2023 story and photos under the headline Skydivers land in Dixie County, click HERE. (That story includes a photo of Dana Sheffield, one of the many key volunteers for the former Dixie County Chamber of Commerce Expo and Fly-in at Cross City Airport, with Bill Palmer, one of the many thoughtful pilots at the event in Levy County.)
     To see one of several stories from the many years of Dixie County Chamber Expo and Fly-In events, including this one of three -- published April 16, 2023, with this one headlined as Fly-In takes off and lands with great success, click HERE.
     To see the April 1, 2019 story, photos and video under the headline 12th Annual Mosquito Factory Fly-in draws people to Trenton, click HERE.
     To see the Jan. 30, 2016 Story, Photos and Videos under the headline Drone flights at Eddy Thompson Field prove. 
Successful, click HERE.
 

Levy County Commission significantly
improves government center campus

This is a view looking toward the main building of the Levy County Government Center. The steps and ramp are easier to use now.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © April 10, 2026 at 2 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     BRONSON – People attending the regular twice-monthly meeting of the Levy County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday (April 7) noticed an improved entrance to the main building as well as seating for 200 or so people that is far better than the remnants of the old high school auditorium that served the public – especially students, parents, faculty and school administrators from 1938 until about 2006.
     The very first day of student occupation at new Bronson Middle High School was in August of 2006. That "new" campus is at another location -- relatively close to Bronson Elementary School. Before then, there were decades of graduates from Bronson High School.
     The history of the campus, including the now former gym is extensive as well, including the boards that made up the floor there – and which some number of people own now as mementos of their own.
     Likewise, the theater seating built for students that used to fill what has become the meeting room for the Levy County Commission, is now the property of several different collectors.
     As noted in the April 26, 2018 story and photos – County Commission considers buying old Bronson High School -- seen by clicking HERE, the results now are from something that started from action eight years ago.
     Former Levy County commissioners Matt Brooks, John Meeks, Lilly Rooks, the late Mike Joyner Sr. (Oct. 3, 1950-Aug. 4, 2021), and Rock Meeks (who is wrapping up his service after this term in office), started the ball rolling toward the purchase and development that exists today.
     The foundation goes back further in time. The “main building” of Bronson High School was constructed in 1938, according to records. The Spanish architectural style of that era is seen in several parts of Florida and is still evident outside. 
     Now, Levy County Manager Mary-Ellen Harper, at the direction of the current Levy County Commission members – Chairman Tim Hodge, Vice Chairman Charlie Kennedy and commissioners Johnny Hiers, Rock Meeks and Desiree Mills -- is still continuing improving the facilities, even after making great strides of success, which came on the heels of a decision made by their predecessors.


This view of the front of the Levy County Government Center shows the three flag poles functioning well.


Looking from the entrance toward the handicap parking area, it is clear why lazy lawbreaking people might choose to park in places reserved for people who have a need that is documented and have placards to not be fined $250.


Looking into the improved Levy County Commission Meeting Room shows the new dais at the front as well as the vast improvement for seating. 


This view from the Levy County Commission members’ perspective shows the new seats where visitors are bound to be much more comfortable than before. Notice the shine on the top of the of the new dais.


Levy County Manager Mary-Ellen Harper grants a photo opportunity request and is seen at her desk in her office on April 8, the day after the first meeting of the County Commission in its renovated meeting room. That meeting, by the way, lasted several hours from 9 a.m. until about seven minutes before the start of a budget meeting at 1 p.m. there that day.

     Visitors to the Levy County Government Center will now see the front parking area has four well-marked parking places for people who are handicapped. During an interview Wednesday (April 8), Levy County Manager Harper said some people are using those spaces despite it being illegal and potentially resulting in a $250 fine, as posted. 
     As visitors find proper parking spaces and walk up the steps or take the ramp to enter the main building, they will see the steps are easier to negotiate because they are not as tall as before and the ramp meets federal standards for use by people in wheelchairs or using other means to help them travel from the parking lot into the building.
     New signs are being created, too, to point people to the many locations for various services on the campus.
    There is a new office location for the Levy County Property Appraisers Office. As noted in this Oct. 30, 2025 story – Levy County Property Appraiser’s Office moves to new location, which can be seen by clicking HERE.
     Development services, veterans services, the services at the Levy County Tax Collectors Office and other government services have offices on the campus.
     As for the improvements for people who watch County Commission meeting, the chairs are great, and there is more. That meeting room is much more attractive as well as better for function.
     Levy County Facilities Manager Doug Partin worked nights and weekends, County Manager Harper said, as well as during regular hours to make sure the carpentry, flooring and painting contractors met deadlines as well as provided the quality expected from their work.
     The Levy County Public Works Department, which is among the departments under the leadership of Matt Weldon, coordinated prisoner work crews remove the old chairs from the meeting room. Those chairs were bolted into concrete floors. As noted, members of the community enjoyed the opportunity to take those chairs and those old chairs are gone now.
     The Levy County Public Works Department staff members, led by Brian Cannon, removed the old carpet as well as building a new dais on the stage for the County Commission, Harper said. That team of workers are among the many people who did a phenomenal job to improve the Levy County Government Center, Harper said.
     (A dais is a raised platform or low stage at the front of a room, used for seats of honor to accommodate speakers.)
     The cleaning staff made a complete sweep of the building after construction to freshen everything, Harper said. 
     Tacia Guthrie of the County Manager’s Office, Harper said, spent many days calling vendors to find the best chairs to replace the old movie-theater version that used to be in the room. 
     “She (Guthrie) did a fantastic job in finding chairs that would fit, were the right number, the right size” and would best meet the needs of the public who visited that room.
     There were 320 small seats before. There were 200 replacements ordered. Four were backordered because they were not available. Twelve of the chairs delivered showed damage when reviewed by staff, Harper added. 
     Since the replacement chairs are so much larger than the ones they replaced, Harper said, the county chose to tell the vendor to keep those 16 chairs and apply a credit to the county for that. Even with that, the county is using 10 of those chairs in a conference room separate from the main County Commission meeting room.
     The replacement chairs are far less expensive than putting in permanent chairs like those that existed before, she said. The new chairs are bigger, and cushioned and they can be moved. Harper added that the county saved a couple of hundred dollars for each chair by purchasing the moveable ones.
     The county also bought a set of 10 circular tables, each of which can seat 10 individuals (or fewer), and those may be placed in the meeting room by moving chairs. Therefore, this room can now be used more comfortably for other meetings.
     With the new audio-visual live transmission services, which are also stored and available thanks to the work of Levy County Clerk Matt Brooks, people can see and hear County Commission meetings as they happen by using the Internet. County Clerk Brooks’ service, which started even before the visual records, of audio from meetings has served researchers well and continues to do so. Access to public records has improved in Levy County over the past 20 years, especially after Brooks was elected as clerk.
     Guthrie has worked with staff at Electronics World, Harper said, and the company has replaced certain audio-visual equipment used for the cameras and microphones used for live Internet transmissions of meeting and that streaming service is 100 percent now.

Gilchrist County seeks equality
for pole antenna vendors

Ryan Reid, the chief executive officer of ROAMR Wireless & Broadband of Spring Hill, makes a pitch to the Gilchrist County Commission from the lectern. Sitting in the foreground (plaid shirt) is Gilchrist County Emergency Management Director Ralph Smith.

By Jeff M. Hardison © April 7, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRENTON – Ryan Reid, the chief executive officer of ROAMR Wireless & Broadband of Spring Hill, found the Gilchrist County Commission on Monday evening (April 6) were not in complete agreement with some of his concepts about “public-private partnerships” and a need to offer all interested business ventures in the pole antenna business the same opportunity to make money on land owned by the county government.
     At first, County Commissioner Tommy Langford was ready to recite a suggested motion presented by Reid in a five-page outline of existing and future projects in Gilchrist County by ROAMR.
     Then, Gilchrist County Attorney David Miller “Duke” Lang Jr. and Gilcrist County Clerk and Comptroller Todd Newton gave that commissioner and three others -- Commission Chairman Darrell Smith, Vice Chairman Bill Martin and Commissioner Sharon A. Langford reasons to pause.


Gilchrist County Attorney David Miller ‘Duke’ Lang Jr. (farther away) shares his advice to the County Commission about not jumping to grant certain requests made by ROAMR at the April 6 meeting as County Administrator Bobby Crosby is seen in the foreground.

     The delay is at least until some finer points are clarified, and then for possible consideration of the matter at the April 20 County Commission meeting.
     County Administrator Bobby Crosby brought the matter for consideration by the County Commission, noting this is a proposal from ROAMR Wireless & Broadband. Crosby reminded the commissioners that 12 to 18 months, there was some discussion about putting up these monopole antennas.
     Reid said ROAMR Wireless & Broadband is seeking to build its infrastructure to offer more wireless and broadband opportunities in the area. He mentioned these antennas can help improve communications for public safety needs, including for the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office (GCSO).
     He mentioned his company is about 50 percent finished with its committed work, as promised to the state government, to improve infrastructure for wireless and Internet service. Reid said that as part of this deal with the state he has communicated with Gilchrist County Emergency Management Director Ralph Smith as well as with some staff at the Gilchrist County School District.
     A monopole that will be used by the GCSO and others is being worked on now, he said. This is to be somewhere Gilchrist County Road 138, he intimated, adding that the County Commission had given ROAMR permission to work there on that certain county-owned property.
     Three strategic properties owned by the county government that Reid sees as proper for monopole placement are: 
     ● Fanning Site – (Parcel ID 18-10-14-0026-0001-0000) This is a triangular area approximately 250-feet by 250-feet by 50-feet in the West and Johnson Subdivision and it is designated as a park, according to records.
     ● Tudeen Site – (Parcel ID 01-07-15-0000-0001-0000) This is at the Tudeen Boat Ramp and Park in the “Branford” area, according to records.
     ● Rock Bluff Site (Parcel ID 16-08-0161-0001-0250) There was no parcel shown in public records for this site listing that was noted by ROAMR. County Administrator Crosby said this is Philpot Park.
     ROAMR is making easement requests to place these pole antennas on those properties. Reid said these are small properties that do not have much use.
     County Attorney Lang said he remembers the GCSO structure at CR 138, however the three new sites are not yet determined to be approved by the County Commission. The attorney added that he believes this construction requires a Special Use Permit.
     That being said, Lang told the County Commission, he advises against going forward with authorizing ROAMR to start work on those sites – without some public input.
     In addition to that, County Attorney Lang said, there may be some competitive service providers who may want to lease those properties from Gilchrist County to place their own monopole antennas there.
     Chairman Smith asked whether the county attorney was suggesting this be placed for bids to be submitted to the County Commission. Lang said this is an option that the commissioners may consider; but, in the meantime, he feels it is premature to grant these three easement requests as of the April 6 meeting.
     County Clerk and Comptroller Newton said he concurs with Lang on this matter. Florida Statute 125.35, titled “County authorized to sell real and personal property and to lease real property,” Newton said, addresses the sale or lease of county property.
     While ROAMR is providing something to the county, Newton questions if what the county is providing to ROAMR is something that other vendors may want an opportunity to enjoy. Newton feels the county must sell or lease to the “highest and best bidder” when it comes to property entrusted to the elected officials as stewards who serve the residents and visitors of Gilchrist County.
     Reid felt the county attorney and county clerk did not understand the favored position he feels ROAMR enjoys by its working with the State of Florida to meet wireless and broadband needs in Gilchrist County.
     So that parties involved in this possible transaction are clear, the matter is delayed for decision until at least the April 20 meeting. Meanwhile Lang, Reid and Newton, and perhaps others will confer via emails before returning to the County Commission with the requests that were made by ROAMR on April 6 to the Gilchrist County Commission.
 

Unofficial church dump
may be closed in months to come

Dixie County Building Official Leon Wright looks out to the audience during the time when the County Commission was discussing his request for abatement on certain property that is clearly violating county codes.

Story and Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © April 3, 2026 at 8 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CROSS CITY – Dixie County Building Official Leon Wright asked the County Commission on Thursday morning (April 2) to seek a judicial order of abatement on property that has at least four alleged code violations and reportedly has presented a hazard to health and safety for years now.     Wright said the code enforcement case is scheduled to be on the docket for the Dixie County Court on Friday (April 10) at 1:30 p.m. That is when he will ask for the judge to rule on a request from the County Commission to abate the property.
     This is a case where property owners Oweida Manier Williams and Rosebud Yvonne Monroe are being called before the Honorable Dixie County Judge Jennifer J. Johnson to answer during a code enforcement compliance hearing. They own the property with the address of 25559 S.E. U.S. Highway 19, Old Town, according to records. This is very close to the United Methodist Church in Cross City.
     A previous ruling showed they were to comply by Jan. 15.
     Dixie County Code Enforcement Officer Steven Freeman charged the two property owners with four counts of code violations on Nov. 4, 2025, according to records. There are several pictures showing evidence of the alleged violations.
     The code violations are briefly titled -- Junk Trash Or Debris; Prohibited Outdoor Storage; Unauthorized Camper/RV Storage; and Unauthorized Storage Of Tires, according to court records.
     A May 17, 2024 letter from Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Northeast District Director Gregory J. Strong to Williams and Monroe shows the state DEP has entered a consent order regarding the hundreds of tires stored in violation of state law on the property that is slightly less than a quarter of an acre in size, according to records.
     On a motion by County Commissioner Daniel Wood III, seconded by County Commissioner David Osteen, there was a 4-0 vote in favor of seeking to abate the property in question. Voting in favor of the action with Wood and Osteen, were County Commission Chairman Mark Hatch and Vice Chairman Jamie Storey. Commission Jody Stephenson was absent as he recovers from a serious medical issue.
     Abatement of property in Florida refers to the legal process of removing a nuisance (such as safety hazards, code violations, or illegal activities) on a property. It involves corrective action ordered by authorities. In this instance, the court may allow the County Commission to do what is needed to clean up the property to bring it into compliance with Dixie County Code.
     The current estimated cost for the county to perform the cleanup work is $10,000 to $15,000, although it may be less than that if a tire recycling interest works with Assistant County Manager Roy Bass to remove the tires at no cost to the county. Bass had informed the County Commission at the April 2 meeting about the potential for the tire recycler to help.
     The appraised taxable value of this empty lot is $11,500, according to records. Therefore, if the county must clear it via an abatement action, then the lien may be more than the value of the property.
     Francis Roberts, 81, yelled from her seat in the audience as she spoke about his matter. She is a neighbor of the property, has lived there for more than 20 years, and is a member of the United Methodist Church’s congregation in Old Town, she said.
     Roberts said she provides “Ben” with food and connects her water to his residence. Ben is unable to read or write, Roberts said, adding that he is diabetic. He accepts money from people who take advantage of him by giving him money in exchange for depositing old tires, and now old RVs at this site, Roberts also told the Dixie County Commission.
     Roberts said the sisters of “Ben” are the two women who own the property on which he resides now in an RV that is in violation of code. 
     When Dixie County Attorney Chana Watson said it would be at least 30 days from a point, if the judge grants the County Commission’s request to abate the property, the 81-year-old woman exclaimed that she only has 30 days to clean the property.
     Chairman Hatch said that if Roberts shows “some progress” in doing what is required to comply with county codes, then the county may not need to roll in with contractors to complete the job of cleanup that some neighbors and other residents have longed to see happen.
     This loose method of enforcing code violations in Dixie County may explain why this problem particularly has gone on year after year and is getting worse and worse.
     Freeman is the only code enforcement officer in Dixie County and he also serves as the county’s veterans’ service officer.
     A neighboring county has taken a no-nonsense approach to code enforcement.
     In the past year, Levy County has taken a stronger approach than Dixie County to enforcing codes – including how many RVs are allowed, where they are allowed, and the mandatory clean-up of junk vehicles and of debris on property.
     In Florida, public nuisance abatement shows local governments can force property owners to remove conditions that constitute a public nuisance, such as abandoned buildings, illegal massage parlors, illegal gambling establishments, drug houses as well as debris and materials that violate county or city ordinances. If not removed, officials can order the property cleaned up, shut down, repaired or demolished. The cost of those operations can result in a lien for the local government to recoup the investment made to being the property into compliance with the laws.
     In this instance, if the county ever does become legally able to clean up this property, the cost of that clean-up would eventually become a lien on the property, and if the lien was not satisfied, the property could become owned by Dixie County.
     Liens on property in Levy County are becoming far more common in the past two years than in previous years as this county has applied the special magistrate method to conduct code enforcement hearings. In Dixie County, the County Commission relies on the Dixie County Court to preside over code enforcement hearings.
     Chairman Hatch tried to help Roberts understand that he and others appreciate her compassion for her fellow man, but “Ben,” regardless of his mental capacity or state, is not above the law. These codes are enforced to protect the public – not to pick on the underprivileged or uneducated, or to persecute anyone else. Code enforcement is for the good of all people in the community.
 

Qualified seniors
are eligible for job training
By Job Counselor Laura Milford
Senior Community Service Employment Program
Published March 31, 2026 at 10 a.m.
     TRI-COUNTY AREA -- Qualified seniors in the Tri-County Area are placed into an on-the-job training program and receive a stipend of $14 per hour for up to 38 hours per week.     This service is through the SCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment Program) for Dixie, Levy and Gilchrist counties.
     The SCSEP is funded by the United States Department of Labor through a grant. The program serves seniors who are 55 years old and older with an annual income within 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.  
     Host agencies in this program are non-profit organizations that sign up to provide the on-the-job training programs at NO-COST to the host agency.
     The host agencies select the job titles for the participants and the assignments that the participant will be performing as their on-the-job training. 
     This program benefits the participants and the host agencies. 
     The goal of the program is for the participants to develop employability skills and eventually to be able to locate unsubsidized income. 
     For more information about the program or to participate as a senior or a host agency, please send an email to lmilford@myncba.com.