DocketHeron
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What residents are raising
Every County Commission meeting opens with a citizen comment period. This page counts what residents brought to the Board, straight from the Clerk's official minutes: 68 speakers across 20 meetings. Each entry links to the minutes. Where a later agenda item shares the subject, it is listed as a related item; that is a lead to check, not a conclusion that the concern was acted on.
By topic
| Topic | Speakers | With a later related item |
|---|---|---|
| Water and environment | 21 | 4 |
| Roads and traffic | 12 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 0 |
| Growth and zoning | 8 | 1 |
| Public safety | 6 | 1 |
| Parks and recreation | 3 | 0 |
| Taxes and budget | 2 | 0 |
| Housing | 1 | 0 |
| Utilities and services | 1 | 0 |
| Animals and agriculture | 1 | 0 |
| Schools | 1 | 0 |
| Elections and government | 1 | 0 |
Where speakers said they were from
Lake County (31), Commission District 4 (5), City of Fruitland Park (3), Town of Lady Lake (2), Sumter County (2), City of Leesburg speaking via Zoom (2), Paisley area (1), Commissioner District 4 (1), Trinity Assembly of God (1), Jumping Jack Way (1), City of Leesburg (1), City of Leesburg and President of the Lake County Conservation Council (1)
Recent comments
Water and environment (21)
- 2026-09-22 Lake County
Related he had sent an email to the BCC regarding artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, and urged the BCC to review the land codes in order to place a permanent ban on AI data centers in Lake County. Source - 2026-09-22 Commission District 4
Requested an update on the Deep Woods Ranch administrative process. Source - 2026-09-22 City of Mount Dora speaking via Zoom
Indicated her understanding that an outside organization had asked the BCC to adopt a resolution declaring October 14, 2026 as the Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance, and that even though this request was not on the current day's agenda, she was asking the Board to not consider this. Source
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- 2026-09-01 Lake County
Expressed concerns about the Islamification of Lake County and about cameras for mass surveillance, and opined that even though he was in favor of proactive policing, the mass surveillance of the nation had to be stopped. Source - 2026-09-01 Lake County
Opined that the original Community Facility District (CFD) ordinance for the Islamic Center of Clermont was flawed, and inquired if conditions had been met for the CFD usage, such as traffic mitigation, sewer service, and stormwater mitigation. Source - 2026-09-01 Lake County
Stated that there were currently 3,421 Muslims in Lake County, which was less than one percent of the population, and questioned if the residents agreed with the Islamic Center of Clermont. Source - 2026-09-01 Lake County
Recited Luke 22:36, and opined that Lake County was not like the City of Dearborn, Michigan. Source - 2026-07-28 City of Fruitland Park
Indicated concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, surveillance, Flock Safety cameras, and other cameras, opining that they collected data by taking photographs of vehicle license plates, locating cell phones, using facial recognition, and storing this data. Source Recorded response: Ms. Marsh stated that the BCC did not fund Flock Safety cameras; however, the Lake County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) did use them, and that he could use a public records request to the LCSO to get a copy of their contract. Mr. Carlins relayed his understanding that the LCSO was funded by the BCC. Ms. B - 2026-07-28 Lake County
Requested a public hearing on the Embry Riddle Airport project situated in the Ocala National Forest, which he would also like to request. Source Recorded response: Ms. Marsh commented that originally, Embry Riddle came to the County to amend the CUP, and that there was a public hearing; however, they ultimately withdrew their application and opted to work under the existing CUP. She related that they submitted to the County for a site plan approval, and that s Related later item: 2026-10-13 Tab 5 - 2026-07-14 Lake County speaking via Zoom
Indicated concerns about addressing statutory requirements related to the septic to sewer conversions and the advanced wastewater treatment requirements, opining that there were issues providing sewer services to the rural areas and the costs associated with that. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione commented that the growth issue was often raised, and opined that spending funds on sewer extensions could result in the Cities wanting a certain level of density in return. She opined that if the focus was to protect the rural areas and the environment, then this could create a conf - 2026-06-23 Lake County
Thanked Commissioner Sabatini for bringing up the topic of AI data centers, and she asked for the Board to support banning these data centers in the county. Source - 2026-06-09 Lake County
Opined that Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University was pushing Paisley, Lake County and the Florida Forest Service to allow them to cut down 40 acres of trees on either side of a dirt runway and pave an airstrip in the middle of the Ocala National Forest, as well as run five planes there. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione expressed appreciation for this, noting that this was not something that the Board had voted on; however, they were affected by it. - 2026-05-05 Lake County
Opined that a rezoning case that he was present for occurred due to errors made by Lake County years prior, and said that he had incurred almost $4,000 in fees from Lake County to repair this error; therefore, he opined that it would be just if the County could determine a way to reimburse him. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione said that the Board would typically ask the County Manager to review the facts. Ms. Barker confirmed that staff would look into it. - 2026-04-28 Commission District 4
Indicated appreciation to Commissioner Campione for attending a Friends of the Wekiva River pavilion dedication at Katie's Landing on the previous Saturday, and opined that it was a wonderful day for the community and a great reminder of why they worked so hard to protect their local gems. Source - 2026-04-28 Sumter County
Related that she had come to discuss a proposed injection well at the Heart of Florida Landfill in Sumter County and to ask for help in standing with Sumter County residents, the Citrus and Hernando County BCCs, Representative J.J. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione commented that the Board could look at the website, and asked if staff could bring back some information from the application itself or a link where it could be viewed. Commr. Sabatini recommended that it be added to the following agenda so that it could be revisited. Commr. Campione Related later item: 2026-10-27 Tab 19 - 2026-04-14 Lake County
Regarding Burhans Road and the Lake Dalhousie boat ramp, and asked if staff could first address what the County had been working on and was planning to do in this area. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione questioned if the County had confirmed that swimming and picnicking activities were prohibited on that property. Ms. Harrold replied that there was an ordinance in effect for the Lake Dalhousie boat ramp prohibiting swimming, sunbathing, and other activities, and that they were updat Related later item: 2026-10-13 Tab 20 - 2026-02-24 Commission District 4
Thanked Commissioner Parks for speaking at the Passion Flower Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society on February 14, 2026. Source - 2026-02-24 Shockley Heights area in the Ocala National Forest
Requested clarification regarding an article published in the North Lake Outpost on February 19, 41 2026. Source Recorded response: Ms. Marsh explained that there was an active code enforcement case against this property, and that the Office of Code Enforcement would issue a notice of violation, allowing the property owner a certain amount of time to cure or apply for proper permits. She clarified that the Office of Code Enforce - 2026-02-10 Lake County
Indicated that he was a political refugee from Cuba and that he had served on the South Lake Hospital Board for 13 years, as well as a planning and zoning commission. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione relayed that the Board would love to help in this endeavor. Commr. Parks said that Mr. Solis' emotion and passion for the country was real, and opined that this was a great story. He asked if Mr. Solis tried getting through to the library system. Mr. Solis replied that he made some c - 2026-02-10 City of Leesburg
Recalled that he had previously approached the BCC regarding the neglected Evergreen Cemetery, and relayed his understanding that it came down to one owner whose last known address was in Cancun; furthermore, many letters had been sent, though no one responded. Source Recorded response: Ms. Marsh said that there was another resident in Lake County who had a similar issue with a historic cemetery in East Lake, and that she had created a nonprofit and was able to obtain grants from the State to help take care of that cemetery. She indicated that this individual was willing to share i - 2026-02-03 Town of Lady Lake
Expressed concerns about sinkholes and the aquifer, noting that there was a new one in the City of Groveland which was currently 90 feet wide, 200 feet long, and 50 feet deep. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione commented that if he sent her an email regarding the community center, she could connect him with Ms. Maria AbdoulKarim, Director for the Office of Housing and Community Services, and that they could see if there were any Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) opportunities for tha Related later item: 2026-09-01 Tab 2; 2026-10-13 Tab 2
Roads and traffic (12)
- 2026-09-08 Christian Family Coalition
Mentioned that the current week was the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Mr. Charlie Kirk, and he thanked Commissioner Sabatini for sponsoring a resolution to name a road after Mr. Kirk. Source - 2026-09-01 Lake County
Indicated appreciation for the speed tables on Waycross Avenue, opining that had been difficult backing out into traffic. Source - 2026-08-11 City of Clermont
Thanked the Board for when he had requested help regarding a crossing guard along Hartwood Marsh Road and Hancock Road. Source Recorded response: Commr. Parks said that they could connect with staff after the meeting.
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- 2026-08-11 Lake County
Expressed concerns about the Eudora Road school zone speed limit signs and the third party that was monitoring them as a 25 miles per hour (MPH) speed limit, noting that she had received the resolution and challenged her ticket from the City of Mount Dora because the resolution called for the speed limit to be 35 MPH. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione noted that the Mount Dora City Manager was in attendance, and said that the County could do its part to try to have communications with the City about what they could do to resolve this. Mr. Banks Helfrich, candidate for State House of Representatives District 25 and a farmer in the - 2026-08-04 Lake County
Mentioned that he owned the property south of the Deep Woods Ranch Airport, and that he was one of the three property owners who had rights to the use of the runway from the conditional use permit (CUP). Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione opined that Ms. Melanie Marsh, the County Attorney, would know what that process would entail and whether this was something that the Board could do. Ms. Marsh commented that site plan approval was an administrative approval, and that so long as it met the requirements of the Land De - 2026-07-28 Commission District 4
Expressed concern about the Deep Woods Ranch Airport, and said that according to a previous BCC meeting, they were just paving the airstrip and adding a 10,000-foot hangar. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione relayed her understanding that they were in the process of asking for a permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) with regard to the paving of the airstrip. Ms. Marsh indicated her understanding that they were having discussions with the SJRWMD and the Nation - 2026-07-28 Commission District 3
Asked the BCC to get rid of the Flock Safety cameras, opining that the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States (U.S.) superseded the government's right to collect mass surveillance on citizens. Source - 2026-06-09 Lake County
Expressed concerns for traffic on State Road (SR) 44, and he asked if there were any plans for the widening of SR 44 from the St. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione mentioned that SR 44 was a state road; therefore, the County could not put its own signs up, though they could notify the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and put a request in. She added that FDOT had conducted a safety study over the last couple years and had looked at ad - 2026-04-14 Lake County
Related that a year prior, the County had built restroom facilities at the Butler Street boat ramp, which took up parking space, and that at the same time, the Blue Creek Lodge Road boat ramp closed to the public and currently had private access only; therefore, many more people were currently accessing the boat ramp at the end of Lake George Road. Source Recorded response: County Manager; however, there had been no communication since then, and he questioned what the County was planning to do to remedy this. Commr. Campione commented that when she and Mr. Bonilla had visited this site and met with Mr. Kent, Mr. Bonilla had given her a schedule, and that they had discu - 2026-03-24 Lake County
Recalled that he had previously requested assistance in looking at traffic in Four Corners. Source Recorded response: Commr. Parks said that this area was growing rapidly and that there was much traffic. He mentioned building roads regionally to alleviate some of this traffic, including State Road (SR) 516, Wellness Way Boulevard and Schofield Road. He opined that much traffic was locally generated, and he expresse - 2026-03-10 City of Eustis
Stated that her family had moved to their home in 2022, which had a 50-foot strip of land that was dedicated to the public in 1990 for roadway purposes, and that even though the strip was public, it was not maintained by the County, noting that they paid property taxes on it. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione commented that typically, a vacation petition was initiated by the landowner, and that it would be reviewed by the Public Works Department and then come before the BCC. She mentioned that issues, such as unwanted access, would be considered with the review of the application, and tha - 2026-01-06 Lake County
Stated that the Heritage Green development was 217 acres and would be built in the Wolf Branch Road/Round Lake Road/Scenic Hills Drive area, and pointed out that this was an agricultural area with two and five acre lots and livestock. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione relayed that the Public Works Department was working on an overall plan that would reconfigure a larger drainage area and culverts underneath Round Lake Road, and that after they repaired Wolf Branch Road, they would focus on keeping water off that intersection. She mentioned that th
Other (11)
- 2026-09-08 Lake County
Requested the remembrance of Mr. Kirk's birthday, and he discussed Mr. Kirk, opining that Mr. Kirk encouraged them to speak and think. Source - 2026-09-08 Lake County
Agreed with previous speakers. Source Recorded response: Commr. Sabatini made a motion to recognize the following Thursday as a day of remembrance for Mr. Kirk. Commr. Campione clarified that they would need to put this item on the agenda. Commr. Sabatini said that this was fine, and that it would be in retrospect. Commr. Parks seconded the motion. Commr. - 2026-09-08 hospitals
Expressed gratitude for the Local Provider Participation Fund amendment. Source
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- 2026-09-01 Palm Beach County
Indicated concerns about Flock cameras and Islam in the State of Florida. Source - 2026-09-01 Volusia County
Stated that he would like to echo the sentiments of the other speakers, and noted that he was happy to see the pledge of allegiance recited at the meeting. Source - 2026-09-01 Lake County
Commented that the State was considering stronger poaching laws, and that the palmetto berry harvesters who were harvesting illegally were being arrested, opining that everybody wanted to protect the forest and the animals. Source - 2026-09-01 Sumter County
Indicated concerns about Islam. Source Recorded response: Chairman of the Lake County Chapter of the Constitution Party, opined that a community was more than a piece of property on a zoning map, and that it included people's homes, investments, neighborhoods, quality of life, where families raised their children, where people retired, and where residents - 2026-08-04 Lake County
Recalled that in June 2025, Ms. Tedrow said that upon the closing of this property, she would file an agreement with limitations and stipulations on what the university would be allowed to do, and that this had not happened. Source - 2026-07-28 Treasure Island Road in the City of Leesburg speaking via Zoom
Agreed with what Ms. Hayden and Ms. Newton had said, and noted that at the previous BCC meeting, Source - 2026-07-14 Lake County
Expressed concern about a project by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the Ocala National Forest to build an airport, and relayed his understanding that they were using a conditional use permit (CUP) from a couple of landowners who had applied for a grass strip so they could fly to their retreat in the Ocala National Forest. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione mentioned that she could meet with Mr. Emery and with staff to show him what the CUP said and what was submitted as a site plan, noting that it involved paving a single airstrip. She relayed her understanding that what would and would not be allowed was determined by the St. Johns Ri - 2026-02-24 City of Leesburg and President of the Lake County Conservation Council
Recalled that they had organized the Eco Expo, and opined that it was a great opportunity for citizens to learn about some of the great things happening there. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione expressed appreciation for the event.
Growth and zoning (8)
- 2026-09-08 Commission District 4
Thanked the Board for the educational opportunities that these meetings provided, and opined that there seemed to be a significant weakness in the conditional use permit (CUP) process, as a single word could render it useless. Source Recorded response: Commr. Parks, seconded by Commr. Sabatini and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved Orlando Cat Café Proclamation 2026-78 and Workforce Development Proclamation 2026-84. Commr. Parks opined that the way a community treated their animals would tell one much about it, and said that - 2026-08-25 Lake 100
Requested that the Board postpone the adoption and State submittal of the proposed 2050 Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) until after the November 3, 2026 property tax referendum vote, and opined that since land use policy and economic development were inherently connected, the Comp Plan would guide Lake County's growth, infrastructure investments, employment centers, and business climate for decades to come. Source - 2026-05-19 Lake County
Opined that the Board needed to establish a committee to investigate how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve operations and streamline administration, and said that there was much information for and against using AI, noting that he had done a study on school districts that were improving their operations using AI, such as saving about four hours per week for administrative personnel. Source
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- 2026-04-14 Lake County
Opined that Lake County was growing quickly, and that the County needed to build a large fairground facility. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione relayed that the County could not stop a City from annexing, and noted that the County still receive d the same millage that ran the countywide services. She explained that when the City annexed, they added their millage to run their additional services; however, if the City did not - 2026-02-10 Jumping Jack Way
Said that he was present to address the community development district (CDD)/municipal services benefit taxing unit (MSTU) tax and other items created in Wellness Way. Source Recorded response: Commr. Morris relayed his understanding that Mr. Fumasi owned three properties there which were bought in 2024, and he asked if Mr. Fumasi knew that it had a CDD and MSTU when he bought them. He also opined that the CDD and MSTU benefited everyone. Mr. Fumasi expressed concerns for benefits being se Related later item: 2026-08-25 Tab 15; 2026-09-08 Tab 11 - 2026-02-03 Commissioner District 4
Expressed appreciation to the BCC for hosting a countywide joint planning agreement (JPA) workshop on the prior day, opining that the discussion was productive, particularly regarding the transfer of development rights (TDR), which she opined was well received by the municipalities. Source - 2026-01-06 Lake County
Stated that she had sent emails to the BCC regarding development and other concerns, and that she had attended a town hall meeting for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan), noting that she did not know what the summary of the survey was. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione commented that she could email her, noting that she had taken notes of the concerns raised on the current day. - 2026-01-06 Town of Lady Lake
Indicated concerns about growth, and stated that according to the National Integrated Drought Information System, Lake County was in its sixth driest year in the past 131 years from January 2025 through November 2025, noting that the amount of area in Lake County that was abnormally dry was 97.63 percent. Source
Public safety (6)
- 2026-09-01 Lake County
Opined that public safety should come before political correctness, and said that she believed in religious freedom, in peaceful people having the right to worship, and in the right to ask questions. Source - 2026-07-28 Lake County
Expressed appreciation to the BCC for the countywide stance on license plate readers (LPRs), and opined the even just a few LPRs were too much. Source - 2026-07-28 Lake County
Indicated appreciation for the difficult job of balancing public safety with protecting the freedoms that made Lake County a wonderful place to live. Source Related later item: 2026-10-13 Tab 20
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- 2026-07-28 Lake County
Expressed concern about Flock Safety, and said that when she had made a public records request for documents pertaining to it, she was directed to the Lake County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), noting that the records custodian would not provide those documents. Source - 2026-06-23 Orange County
Thanked Commissioner Sabatini for bringing this item regarding AI data centers forward, and he expressed concerns for a 24/7 low frequency hum which had been reported in other states. Source Recorded response: Ms. Marsh clarified that the item on the current agenda regarding data centers was not an adoption or an approval; rather, it was discussion only. She said that if the Board chose to move forward, staff would bring back more information and a potential ordinance. - 2026-06-09 City of Fruitland Park
Thanked the Board for recently approving an ordinance; however, he had emailed some amendments to the Board. Source
Parks and recreation (3)
- 2026-09-08 Salt and Light Ministry at Church of the Lakes in the City of Leesburg
Indicated their primary focus was civic engagement and faithful citizenship. Source - 2026-09-08 Lake County
Asked the Board to declare October 14 as a Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance in honor of Mr. Kirk's birthday as Sumter, Marion, Gilcrest, Jefferson and Flagler Counties had decided to do, and to instruct library staff to set up a week- long display of the eight books Mr. Kirk wrote. Source - 2026-01-06 Paisley area
Related that he had emailed his County Commissioner and the Lake County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) about the unsafe speed of the LCSO cars in the Paisley area, which he opined were going 100 miles per hour through a school zone. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione relayed that when she received a message about the LCSO, she reached out to them, noting that she did not have jurisdiction over the LCSO. She commented that the North Lake Park was a phenomenal park that served a large number of residents and children in Lake County, and that she ha
Taxes and budget (2)
- 2026-09-08 City of Minneola
Asked for consideration for a future agenda item to adopt Florida Statute 193.703, Assessment Reduction Ordinance. Source Recorded response: Commr. Sabatini asked if this was the first time that this had been brought to the Board's attention. Commr. Campione did not think they ever had anyone explain how it was affecting them directly. Commr. Sabatini relayed that he would be in favor of staff bringing this up as a formally presented ite - 2026-07-14 City of Leesburg speaking via Zoom
Mentioned that there was a discussion on the agenda about the budget in relation to the property tax amendment, and said that she was interested to learn more about what the budget would look like if the amendment passed, opining that it was important for residents to understand what the tradeoffs could be. Source
Housing (1)
- 2026-02-03 Trinity Assembly of God
Commented that a few years prior, they offered a homeless shelter at their church, and that the reason they stopped doing the homeless shelter was because they were told by the County that they had to have a $1 million liability insurance policy with the County's name on it. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione expressed appreciation to them for doing that, and opined that it was helpful. She mentioned that Hope International Church in the City of Groveland and LifePointe Church in the City of Eustis had opened for the homeless, and she assumed that the Salvation Army would have opened. Pas
Utilities and services (1)
- 2026-02-03 City of Fruitland Park
Indicated concerns about recycling and the quality of the lakes, and opined that the trash in the recycling bins was going in with the regular trash. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione commented that water sampling and testing happened all over Lake County, including at the Lake County Water Authority (LCWA) and the Lake County Health Department. Ms. Kendrick relayed her understanding that they did no t test for everything, and opined that Lake Griffin had lead in
Animals and agriculture (1)
- 2026-09-08 Orlando Cat Café
Thanked the Board, and said that this recognition was especially meaningful because it came as they were celebrating their 10th anniversary on the current day. Source
Schools (1)
- 2026-09-22 HBA-LS
Emailed the County about the HBA-LS's concerns and asked for information showing how the proposed fees were calculated. Source Recorded response: Commr. Campione inquired how he obtained the data, and indicated her understanding that school buses had cameras. Mr. Farley answered that the school bus driver told him, and mentioned that even though some buses had cameras, some stops were difficult to see because of the angle of the bus. Commr. S
Elections and government (1)
- 2026-09-22 City of Leesburg speaking via Zoom
Requested that there be an addition to the August 11, 2026 BCC minutes regarding the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Airport discussion, noting that when Commissioner Parks asked if the status of the site plan was on hold, Source Recorded response: Ms. Marsh clarified the status of the site plan. She stated that she would appreciate seeing that represented in the meeting minutes. Commr. Parks pointed out that the August 11, 2026 minutes had been pulled until the following BCC meeting.