Hernando County Commissioners Confirm Brad Smith as Permanent Utilities Director

Brad Smith, a sixth-generation Brooksville native who started his county utilities career reading meters, has been confirmed as Hernando County's permanent Director of Utilities after the Board of County Commissioners voted to elevate him from his interim role at the March 24, 2026 regular meeting in Brooksville.

Smith was confirmed as the new Utilities Director at the March 24 Board of County Commissioners meeting, having previously served as Interim Director before being promoted to the permanent role.

The path to the directorship spans more than two decades of work inside the same department he now leads. According to a county media release, Smith has built an impressive career in the utilities field over the past 23 years, beginning as a meter reader and advancing through numerous positions within the department. His deep ties to the area add a layer of continuity to the appointment: the county's media release describes him as "a sixth-generation Brooksville native" who brings "a deep-rooted pride and commitment to the community he has always called home."

The county's praise for the promotion was direct. "Brad's promotion to Director of Utilities is a testament to both his professional accomplishments and his unwavering commitment to public service," the official release stated. "In his new role, he will continue working to enhance utility services and support the needs of Hernando County residents."

Outside the office, Smith has been married for 22 years to his high school sweetheart, Beverly, and is the father of a daughter, Braylee.

The confirmation came on a busy day for the Utilities Department on the BOCC docket. County Administrator Jeffrey Rogers also brought before commissioners two perpetual utility easements from Hawk Sunrise, LLC, tied to infrastructure projects for the Sunrise Development, running water main and sewer force main lines from Interstate 75 to a proposed water plant and from Sunrise Boulevard to the Ridge Manor Wastewater Treatment Plant. Also on the agenda was a construction contract award to Wharton-Smith, Inc., for the Ridge Manor Water Reclamation Facility Expansion and Emergency Operations Structure, Contract No. 26-C01237/JG, totaling $91,569,822.50.

Smith now takes the helm of a department managing water and sewer services for county residents outside the City of Brooksville's service area, as well as solid waste disposal and recycling countywide. Residents with questions can contact the Hernando County Public Information Office at (352) 540-6426 or the county's main line at (352) 754-4000.