Our Sumter

  • Heart of Florida: What we asked. What the County said. What is still missing.

    Here is an easy-to-follow breakdown of the October 27 BOCC discussion. 1. Does the current lawsuit cover the injection well? The reply: The County attorney said it covers odors and permit compliance. It does not address the injection well or aquifer concerns. 2. Can the County consider further legal action? A speaker urged commissioners to…

  • Heart of Florida: An important clarification from the BOCC

    At the October 27 meeting, the County attorney confirmed that Sumter County’s existing landfill lawsuit does not address the proposed deep injection well or aquifer concerns. It addresses odors and permit compliance. She also explained that limited regulatory authority does not prevent the board from considering potential civil litigation concerning the well, if supportable claims…

  • Lake County votes 4–0 to pursue action against FDEP and landfill operator

    Lake County commissioners voted 4–0 today to approve filing a complaint against the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Hubbard Construction, the operator of Mid-Florida Materials near Mount Dora. Residents described strong odors that affect time outdoors and reach inside their homes. Officials discussed access to the landfill property, water testing, and monitoring wells. Staff…

  • The Villages Borrows Nearly $180 Million. Who Pays It Back?

    New bonds will help pay for roads, utilities, and other improvements for 3,860 planned homes. October 27, 2026 | OurSumter.org The Villages is growing again. And the latest expansion comes with a big price tag. Village Community Development District No. 16 has moved forward with a bond sale worth nearly $180 million, according to recent…

  • Eight New Monitoring Wells at Heart of Florida Landfill: What Will the Results Show?

    Eight shallow groundwater monitoring wells were installed at Heart of Florida Landfill in September, according to construction forms and emails reviewed by OurSumter. The records document new monitoring work. They leave an important question unanswered: What did the water samples show? Why were the wells installed? In a September 11 email, Geosyntec, the landfill’s consultant,…

  • HOF Landfill: Was the Right Newspaper Used?

    The notice rule calls for a newspaper that serves the affected area. What records show that standard was met? NIMA: Not In My Aquifer recently raised a concern OurSumter has also looked into: Was the Leesburg Daily Commercial an appropriate newspaper for HOF’s well notices? What the rule says Florida’s underground injection control notice rule…

  • We Read Sumter County’s Budgets. Here Are Six Questions for State Fiscal Review.

    Status: Audit request prepared, not yet submitted. We reviewed Sumter County’s FY 2026-27 final budget and July 2026 alternate budget. We identified six questions about taxes, reserves, public spending, and long-term financial planning. Rather than asking readers to take our word for it, we are identifying the exact pages in the county’s own budget documents.…

  • Who Inspects the Heart of Florida Injection Well, and Where Does the Landfill’s Dirty Water Go?

    OurSumter | October 19, 2026 A Sumter County resident recently asked two simple questions about the Heart of Florida Landfill: Who inspects the deep injection well, and where does the landfill’s dirty water go today? These are important questions for anyone who depends on our groundwater. First, what is leachate? When rainwater passes through buried…

  • Wildwood workshop roundup — October 19, 2026

    Wildwood commissioners covered police staffing, downtown water improvements, food truck rules and code enforcement during their October 19 workshop. Here are the main updates from the discussion. Police department changes The police chief outlined a plan to reorganize existing staff, improve communication with residents and provide coverage across the city, including Oxford and The Villages.…

  • I’ve asked Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia to audit Sumter County. Here’s why.

    Jeremy Scott has asked Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia to audit Sumter County. The request focuses on reserves, Fire and EMS funding, road commitments, and county spending.