Citrus County Commissioners divided over Betz Farm vote

Controversy is brewing after Citrus County Commissioners ignored legal advice on a contentious land contract that could favor an influential developer.

The Board voted 3-2 to reverse a decision made last month regarding Betz Farm, a 350-acre tract of land the county owns near Crystal River but wants to sell.

The vote came despite County Attorney Denise Dymond Lyn cautioning Commissioners that the agenda wording violated county code.

“This agenda item is inappropriate,” Lyn said.

Betz Farm was approved as a development of regional impact for 1,500 homes off Turkey Oak Drive across from Crystal River High School. The development never happened, and in 2003, the property was sold to the county.

In 2017, the county decided to sell off surplus lands. Its attempts to sell Betz Farm failed with one potential buyer, and then Commissioners two years ago voted on a $6 million land contract with Bravo Land Group LLC and its principal, James Dicks.

The contract included this provision: The County will “fully cooperate” in Bravo’s development plan modifications before property changes hands.

Commissioners voted 4-1 in April to cancel the contract, citing missed deadlines and lack of progress in obtaining permits. Commissioner Jeff Kinnard voted “no.” Commissioners Rebecca Bays and Holly Davis voted “yes,” but each expressed reservation.

In the weeks that followed, Bravo lawyer Robert Batsel Jr., threatened $1 million in damages if the county didn’t reverse its decision.

Davis’ agenda memo states she wanted to “reconsider” the motion and “reaffirm” the contract.

Commissioner Janet Barek sought to stop the issue from being discussed at all. She pointed to the County Code of Ordinances, which states motions to “reconsider” may only occur during the same meeting, and actions to “reaffirm” may occur only if the voted-upon action has not yet taken place. The County already sent Dicks a notice of contract termination.

Davis said it was the County Attorney’s job to review the agenda item to ensure proper wording. 

“It’s semantics. I’m just going to bring it back in two weeks,” Davis said. “It’s not the law. It’s our county code.”

The board later voted 3-2 to reinstate the contract, with Chair Diana Finegan and Barek in the minority.

The vote sparked outrage in some corners of the county, with one man starting an online petition asking for a state investigation.

Finegan said the Commission shouldn’t vote on an item without proper public notice.

“I’m not going to be a party to this board,” she said, “not following the county code.”