Hernando County F L O R I D A Comprehensive A nnual F inancial Report FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
INTRODUCTORY SECTION It is easy to venture back to life as it was in the picturesque world of the old South where the day could be played to the beat of a mockingbird s song and families relaxed on their veranda enjoying golden sunsets together. Rolling hills, horse farms, antebellum homes, grand oaks, wooded lakes and nature trails are found in the sandhill country which is Hernando. PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL HAMLIN
FINANCIAL SECTION Over 10,000 artifacts, including many from excavations on the Indian mounds at Weeki Wachee Springs, as well as vintage treasures dating as far back as the Civil War are testaments to past cultures. They are protected in the May-Stringer Heritage Museum, an authentic 1856, 12-room, 4-story Victorian mansion in the heart of Brooksville, Hernando County. PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL HAMLIN
BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The City of Brooksville appears to be suspended in time. Little effort is needed to drift back to the picturesque nineteenth century while strolling by Main Street s quaint antique shops and tree-lined cobblestone roads. This town brings the history of the old South alive where hospitality is still an integral part of the neighborhood charm. PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL HAMLIN
COMBINING & INDIV FUND STMTS & SCHEDULES With more than 20 developed sites, Hernando County offers an impressive park system with a primary goal of providing safe, clean and functional recreational facilities. Planning and development of new and improved facilities to meet the continued growth within the county are an important aspect of the County s comprehensive plan. PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL HAMLIN
With 6 libraries housing 216,000 books and videos, and Internet access in all locations, Hernando County s Library System is a vast source for information needs, researching projects, or just simple, quiet reading. COMPLIANCE SECTION PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL HAMLIN
SINGLE AUDIT REPORTS & GRANT COMPLIANCE Rustic yet picturesque, Hernando County offers something for everyone. A variety of historic and natural treasures enhance the native beauty, while the versatility of the waterways will please any water enthusiast. Black bears and eagles, marked trails for bicyclists and hikers, scenic lakes for fishing, and natural rivers for canoeing and kayaking are part of the splendor of Hernando. PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL HAMLIN
It is little wonder that Hernando County has been one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Located east of the Gulf and west of the River and with easy access to most major thoroughfares, Hernando is a land rich in history and beauty of nature. BOND COMPLIANCE PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL HAMLIN
From the Brooksville Raid Festival to the Heritage Days Celebration; from the Swamp Festival to the County Fair; from the Memorial Day Bluegrass Festival to Hernando Cattleman s Rodeo; from the Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival to the Downtown Brooksville Christmas Parade, Hernando County is affluent in tradition and traditional values. STATISTICAL SECTION PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL HAMLIN
ON THE COVER Rich in history, Hernando County is home to Chinsegut Hill. This breathtakingly beautiful estate boasts the oldest (official) home in the County, whose front was built in 1848. Located about 7 miles north of Brooksville, the hill was named Mount Airy in 1852, Snow Hill around 1871 and finally Chinsegut Hill in 1924. Today, the Chinsegut Conference Center is managed by the University of South Florida, while the 408-acre Chinsegut Nature Center is the only educational facility managed by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission s Division of Wildlife.