Brooksville ends interlocal agreement on school court access

Brooksville City Council voted unanimously Jan. 5 to approve ending an interlocal agreement that allowed Hernando County School District teams to use city-owned tennis and volleyball courts. The move, prompted by a request from the school district, shifts usage onto the city’s established fee schedule and now requires approval from the Hernando County School Board before taking effect.

Under the action approved by the council, Hernando High School and Parrott Middle School will continue to be permitted to use city facilities but will be charged fees tied to the city’s fiscal year rate structure. Hernando High’s beach volleyball team, which has used courts at Tom Varn Park for its home matches, will pay $2,000 because team usage reduces public availability of the courts. The school’s first home match of the season is scheduled for Feb. 25.

City leaders framed the change around consistent application of fees for nonmunicipal users and the reality that school practices and competitions limit times when the public can access popular parks and courts. For local residents who rely on Tom Varn Park for drop-in play or weekend matches, the decision means the city will balance school scheduling with retained public hours under whatever terms the School Board agrees to.

For school athletic directors and booster groups, the $2,000 fee introduces a direct budget item at the start of the spring sports season. Depending on the School Board’s action, schools may absorb the cost, seek booster support, or adjust practice and match schedules to minimize impact on both teams and public use. Parrott Middle School was included in the agreement change; specifics for middle school use and any fees were not detailed by the council beyond the overall shift to the city’s fee schedule.

The council vote was unanimous, signaling local officials’ preference to formalize access and cost expectations rather than continue the previous interlocal arrangement. The requirement that the School Board now approve the termination keeps the decision in a collaborative, procedural framework and gives district officials a chance to consider budgetary and scheduling implications.

Residents should watch upcoming School Board and city meeting agendas for final approvals and any public comment opportunities. Once the School Board acts, the community will see how court time at Tom Varn Park is divvied up this spring and whether adjustments are needed to preserve public access while supporting Hernando County’s student athletes.