Hendrickson to Address Brooksville Matters After 5% Raise, Firefighter Pension Debate

The Brooksville City Council approved a 5% pay increase for City Manager Lisa Hendrickson following her first-year evaluation, and Hendrickson was scheduled to keynote the Brooksville Matters forum on February 4 at The Bistro. The council voted 4-1 to raise Hendrickson’s base pay from $130,000 to $136,500 annually, with the increase “tak[ing] effect the first pay period in February.”

The lone dissent came from Council member Betty Erhard, who cast the vote against the raise and argued that “eight months on the job was too soon for a perfect score” and that “merit increases should wait given the city’s financial situation, including two vacant general fund positions and pension termination costs.” The raise follows Hendrickson’s selection April 7, 2025, her announcement April 21, 2025, and her official start date April 30, 2025, according to city postings.

The council is also moving forward on pension changes tied to the recent reorganization of emergency services. Council members approved the first reading of an ordinance to terminate the city’s participation in the Firefighters’ Pension Trust Fund by a 4-0 vote, with J.W. McKethan absent. The ordinance text notes that “upon termination, full benefits will be distributed to recipients,” but the method for distribution had not been determined at the hearing. The first-reading action was presented in the context of the City of Brooksville Fire Department having joined Hernando County Fire Rescue in September of this year.

City Manager Hendrickson urged trustees and affected members to seek expert guidance on the transition. She advised: “Each member has the opportunity to speak with the pension plan actuary. In addition to that, they are encouraged to discuss their personal finance situation with a financial planner. They need expert advice on these very important decisions. And I think through the Pension Board of Trustees, they can employ the actuary to help provide the one on one information that’s needed.”

For residents, the twin actions, an executive pay increase and movement toward pension termination, raise near-term fiscal questions. Council members expressed concern about vacant general fund positions and the potential costs of altering pension arrangements. The pension ordinance still requires a second reading and final vote, which the record lists as scheduled for a January 26 meeting, and officials have not yet detailed how benefit distributions will be administered.

Hendrickson’s appearance at Brooksville Matters, organized by Brooksville Main Street in partnership with the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, comes at a moment when personnel decisions and pension policy converge on city finances and public safety governance. Residents seeking more information can contact Brooksville City Hall at 352-540-3810 and consult city council meeting minutes for roll-call votes and upcoming agenda items.