Officials in Hernando County, Florida, are advancing plans for a new multi-agency public safety training center. Phase 1 of the project would be made possible through a five-year, half-cent sales tax referendum.
This new facility would address urgent needs across law enforcement, fire rescue and emergency management through improved training infrastructure. Officials estimate costs could reach over $100 million. The funding all hinges on voter approval of a local sales tax initiative.
The facility is intended to replace aging and piecemeal training arrangements, giving first responders a centralized space to prepare for emergencies ranging from structure fires to active shooter events.
County officials laid out the plan at a board meeting, taking a deeper look at the master plan and its challenges. Escalating cost estimates are the primary concern for officials. While the project was originally projected at $40 million in 2021, costs have risen to more than double that amount, according to Hernando County officials. The officials attributed the jump in estimates to rising construction prices and the expanded scope of the project since it was first envisioned.
The center would cover about 60 acres, which were donated by Cemex. Its first-phase features, estimated at $12 million, include a driving pad, burn tower and shooting range.
Future phases outlined in the master plan would add classrooms, a command simulation center, an emergency operations hub and specialized training structures. According to Hernando County’s capital improvement plan, the full build-out envisions administrative and classroom
space, rifle and pistol ranges, a driving course, K-9 training fields and kennels, an observation tower, a logistics warehouse and other site improvements. Plans for an emergency operations center and 911 backup hub have been put on hold until later phases because of their high cost.
Officials have emphasized that the full buildout will depend on available funding. Police officials proposed a five-year, half-cent sales tax referendum to fund the facility. If approved, the tax is expected to yield about $19 million annually, or $95 million over five years. According to the sheriff, money generated from the tax could also go toward other law enforcement projects, including:
- $38.8 million for a mental health wing at the detention center.
- $25 million for a forensics lab and property warehouse.
- $15.5 million for replacement of law enforcement vehicles.
- $7.2 million for 294 bundles of stun guns and body cameras.
- $3.7 million for a helicopter.
Commissioners opted to wait for voter approval before proceeding on any immediate major expenditures to avoid jeopardizing support for the tax measure. County officials emphasized that the proposed sales tax would be used for one-time capital expenses, such as construction and equipment, rather than ongoing operational costs.
Voters will decide on the referendum in 2026, and tax collection would begin Jan. 1, 2027, if the measure is approved. The project is expected to take anywhere from 10 to 40 years to complete. The wide range reflects uncertainty over how many phases the project will require and how quickly new revenue can be allocated.
County leaders say the years-long effort will only move forward if voters agree to the new tax, setting up a decision on whether Hernando County is ready to invest in long-term public safety infrastructure.
Photo by Tim Eiden from Pexels
