County Updates on Citrus County Essential Services

Citrus County Government remains open to serve our citizens. There may be limited access to building lobbies for the protection of citizens and employees. Services continue to be available by phone, email or mail.

Animal Services – Citrus County Animal Services is reinstating the Community Cat Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate Return (TNVR) program beginning Tuesday, May 19, 2020. Citrus County Residents may bring community cats to the shelter Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 9am -12pm for free spay/neuter, vaccinations against rabies, microchipping, and ear-tipping. Cats must be in a humane trap (1 cat per trap) and weighing 4lbs or more to be eligible for the program. Phone: 352-746-8400.

We are open seven days a week by appointment only for adoption, owners reclaiming their pets, fosters, medication, and food. Free pet food is available to those who are in need by appointment only. Normal sanitation protocols are being followed that keep our pets healthy and have always exceeded the recommended guidelines for disinfecting for Covid-19 to keep our staff, guests and animals protected. A protocol is in place to handle any pets that have or are suspected to have been exposed to Covid-19.

Animal Services has mandated all volunteers to not come to the shelter until further notice. We are currently delaying the intake of owner-surrendered animals to ensure we have kennel space. For more information phone (352)746-8400 or visit: www.citruscritters.com. For those who need to renew or purchase a County Pet License, we ask for you to either do so online at https://www.petdata.com/.

Building Department – The Lecanto Government Building (LGB) lobby remains open to accept building permits, subject to the limitations in the attached link: 

https://www.citrusbocc.com/departments/growth_management/building_division/index.php

Citrus County Community Resource Center (CCCRC) - remains open at this time, although following the direction of the Executive Order 20-91 “Safer at Home” issued by Governor Ron DeSantis on April 2, 2020, limiting movement and activities to only those deemed essential, we encourage all citizens to call 352-527-5900 for services. 

Extension (UF/IFAS) - is not taking any walk in clients.  Extension has started a pick up and go on our porch in front of the building.  Folks can pick up soil sample forms, then drop them back off here in the same bucket. (see attached photo)  We are also leaving materials for immediate pick up on the same bench. Samples can be left there with contact information and we will call/email identification of weeds, insects, plant identification. Staff is available by phone (352-527-5700) and email (@ citrus@ifas.ufl.edu). 

Fire Rescue - the countywide burn has been lifted.

Growth Management –The Governor's Executive Order 20-112 has provisions for outdoor seating for restaurants to re-open at 25 percent of their current building occupancy.  The County’s goal is to review requests the same day received.   For questions or further information, please contact the Citrus County Land Development Division at (352)-527-5239 or restaurantseating@citrusbocc.com.

The May 21, 2020, 9am Planning and Development Council (PDC) hearing have been moved to County Courthouse at 110 N. Apopka Ave., Inverness. All citizens entering the courthouse for the meeting will be screened. If your body temperature is equal to or above 100.4 Fahrenheit you will be denied entry to the courthouse. We are asking all residents to stay at home and view the meeting live on Spectrum channel 643. There will be a Public Input opportunity by email, and for people who do not have access to email, a phone number is available below.

For Public Input by email:

•             Visit www.citrusbocc.com/comments for instructions and to submit your comment in writing.

•             Please include your name, town or city, and agenda item or subject you are emailing regarding in your message.

For Public Input by phone:

•             The Chairman will announce times for Public Comment.

•             Call 352-341-8795 during the PDC Meeting. You will be placed in a queue, on hold, to wait your turn. Have your T.V. or computer on; volume must be turned DOWN when you speak on the phone.

•             Callers will be asked for their identifying information including name and town or city. All calls will be recorded.

•             Please only call during discussion for the issue you wish to speak to, or during open to the public other calls will be holding.

All comments (by email and phone) are limited to the normal 3 minute per individual, 5 minute per organization rules will apply.

The public is reminded they can view PDC meetings, minutes and video by visiting the Citrus County BOCC meeting portal at: http://citruscountyfl.iqm2.com/Citizens/Media.aspx

The Lecanto Government (LGB) guest seating has been removed from the front lobby.  Building and planning applicants are encouraged to utilize the existing online application process or drop their building permit applications at the front counter.  Staff will retrieve the applications and process them as usual.  Questions can be answered by phone at 352-527-5310.

Housing Services - Citrus County Housing Services has implemented an Eviction Prevention Program to assist very low-income and low-income residents impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Funding for this program is available through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program. For more information about the Housing Services Eviction Prevention Program, please call at (352) 527-7520.

Staff continues to assist low-income residents with their utility bill payments by phone only. For more information, please call 352-527-7520 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Library - Beginning Monday, May 4, Citrus Libraries will resume curbside pick-up of pre-requested materials only. Printed copies of the DEO Reemployment Assistance Application will also be made available. The Floral City branch will remain closed at this time, but all other locations will be providing this service Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm. Items may be requested online through the library catalog and you will receive an automated call, email, or text when it is available. Floral City patrons will be able to pick up their requested items at the Lakes Region branch in Inverness. All drop-off of materials must be directed to the book drop at each location. The library will also resume accepting book donations, please call ahead. For more information and access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, and additional digital resources please visit citruslibraries.org or call the branch nearest to you. 

Meals on Wheels – continues to be operational.

Parks and Recreation – Bicentennial Park Pool located at 8145 W. Bicentennial Park Drive Crystal River, Fl. 34429 will reopen for lap swimming by appointment only (45 minutes increments).   Hours for lap swimming will be Monday through Friday 9:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 10:30am-3:00pm and Sunday 12:30am-3:30pm.  Appointments will be accepted no more than 48 hours in advance. Phone 352-795-1478.

Citrus County reopens Fort Island Gulf Beach and Hernando Beach at 8:00am on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, for recreational activities following CDC guidelines and Citrus County Health Department recommendations.  Beach hours are sunrise to sunset seven days a week.

Citrus County reopens all parks on Friday, May 1, 2020, for recreational activities following CDC guidelines and direction from the Citrus County Health Department. Fort Island Gulf Beach and Hernando Beach remain closed, in an abundance of caution, pending water quality results. The Boxers a Tribute to the Legacy of Simon and Garfunkel has been rescheduled to Sunday, August 2, 2020. For tickets or more information call 352-527-7540.

Public Works - The Citrus Springs MSBU Advisory Council has cancelled its May 6, 2020 public meeting. The next Citrus Springs MSBU Advisory Council meeting will be the regular meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. For more information, you may contact Mr. Larry Brock at (352) 527-5466.

Solid Waste and Landfill - The Landfill will remain open on a normal schedule until further notice. The household hazardous waste collection day scheduled for Saturday April 18, 2020 has been cancelled. For the safety of our citizens and staff the Landfill Administration building will be closed to the general public for the duration of the County’s declared state of emergency.

Transit –Fixed Route (Orange) continue to be temporarily discontinued. Citrus County Transit is offering citizens expanded door-to-door transportation from 6:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday, with fares waived during the county state of emergency. Trips are available for work, shopping, doctor’s appointments, and other essential needs.  Door-to-door service is offered at this time for the general public as well as residents with mobility needs.

Social distancing will be practiced on all transit vehicles. please call (352) 527-7630 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm.

Water Utilities - will not accept water and sewer utility payments in the Lecanto Government Building (LGB) lobby.  Customers can either pay their bill electronically, by mail, or place payments and service requests in one of the drop boxes outside the Lecanto or Meadowcrest locations. In addition, customers who have other business to conduct with the Utility can utilize the County’s website at https://www.citrusbocc.com/departments/water_resources/utility_business_services/index.php.