On the northern and eastern borders, with Withlacoochee River presents 45 miles of riverfront beauty and recreational opportunities. Northeast of Inverness, the long, lazy Withlacoochee helps refresh the Tsala Apopka chain of lakes, a 23,000 acre bass-rich playground for fishermen and a wetland home for a dozen species of bird and mammal considered rare elsewhere in America.

Along US 19, bisecting western Citrus County, a string of first and second magnitude springs give birth to Citrus County's other protean, crystal clear rivers, including the Homosassa, the Chassahowitzka and the Crystal. Flowing at a constant temperature of 72 degrees, these spring-spawned streams provide the endangered West Indian Manatee, America's largest fresh water mammal, with its favored winter home. The people of Citrus County take pride in assisting state and federal efforts to protect this American cousin of the elephant. Large herds of manatees are seen from November through March.

Few counties in Florida enjoy a more salubrious year-round climate than Citrus. Summer days average 82 degrees, moderated by constant breezes from the lakes and the Gulf of Mexico; while winter lows average 62 degrees, encouraging the dedicated gardener to experiment with a wide variety of flowers and vegetables every month of the year. Rainfall averages 45 to 52 inches, most of it falling during the summer months.

Benefiting from well managed growth for the past two decades, Citrus County is now home to more than 119,707 people and is expected to grow to 138,953 by the year 2005. With relatively inexpensive land, the cost of living index ranked Citrus County 52 out of Florida 67 counties. Quality of life second to none has attracted a balanced population mix of both retirees and young families. Opportunities for young professionals and business people in Citrus County are extensive, with a continued, healthy economic growth in the 21st Century forecasted by most Florida experts.

In Citrus County, The Economy Is
As Healthy As The Environment.

Citrus County's economy is driven by tourism, retailing, construction, services and agriculture. The county as a whole, is enjoying steady growth in light industry. Boat manufacturing and electronics highlight the manufacturing sector. Limerock is mined along the county's border in cooperation with Hernando County and dolomite is mined in the northwestern corner of the county.

The Florida Power Corporation is one of the county's largest employers, operating five generating plants at its Crystal River Complex. This important power complex also includes a museum and information center.

Residents of Citrus County have a choice between 15 different banks or savings and loan institutions, offering services through 33 branch offices and together managing over $1 billion in assets.

The Citrus County Chronicle, St. Petersburg Times and the Ocala Star Banner are daily newspapers available to Citrus County subscribers. Several weekly papers serve Citrus County residential communities including The Advertiser and the Beverly Hills Visitor. Five major radio stations and two cable television systems also operate studios in the county.

Citrus County boasts Florida's largest natural amphitheater. Rock Crusher Canyon features a beautiful 90-foot craggy canyon wall as a backdrop to the largest covered outdoor stage in Florida with extraordinary acoustics. Festivals and concerts featuring national and international artists from every genre of music are scheduled throughout the year. The facilities include a state of the art RV site for 400, along with primitive camping sites, a 20,000 square foot covered pavilion and garden area. Rock Crusher Canyon offers weekday matinees in addition to their special concerts. For information call (352) 795-1313 or toll free 1-877-RC-Canyon.

A sophisticated network of medical services are available to all Citrus County residents, anchored by two major hospitals. Citrus Memorial Hospital serves the east side of the county, while Seven Rivers Hospital serves the west site of the county.

Taxes

Floridians continue to enjoy one of the lowest tax burdens in the U.S. Florida levies no income taxes or inheritance tax. The state sales tax rate is six percent.

Florida's Homestead Tax Exemption benefit contributes to Florida's favorable tax climate. The exemption allows permanent Florida residents to deduct $25,000 from their home's assessed value to arrive at a taxable value. The granting of the Homestead Exemption (and other exemptions available to qualified applicants) is not automatic, you must apply at the Property Appraiser's Office.

The Florida Intangible Tax is imposed by the state of certain assets owned by Florida residents including loans, accounts receivable, beneficial interest from any trust, bonds, stocks, mutual funds and money market funds. Cash, savings accounts and annuities are exempt as are Florida and U.S. Government securities. The present rate is $1.00 per $1,000 on portfolios valued up to $100,000 for individuals, and up to $200,000 per couple after deducting your exemption. The exemption is $20,000 for an individual or $40,000 per couple. The tax must be paid by June 30. Forms and instructions are available from the Florida Department of Revenue, Carlton Building, Tallahassee, FL 32304.

In Citrus County, the ad valorem (property) tax millage rate for 1996 was $19.1667 per $1,000 of taxable value; the City of Inverness rate was $25.9821; and the City of Crystal River was $24.1227. In addition, some properties have special assessment, such as special lighting districts.

For additional information on local real property taxes, please contact the Property Appraiser's Office at (352) 341-6600 or the Tax Collector's Office (352) 341-6500.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Schools and Education in
Citrus County

Citrus County supports one of Florida's most highly regarded public education systems. Structured from the elementary level to high school with one of the lowest pupil-to-teacher ratios in the state, the Citrus County School System is committed to a strong basic skills program emphasizing reading, communications and mathematics.

Any child who has attained the age of five before September 1 can be registered for kingerdarten. A child who has attained the age of 6 before September 1 can be registered for first grade. For more information about school registration, call (352) 726-1931.

An excellent selection of culturally enriching programs and events are also available to the students through the Citrus County school system. Field trips and special study programs at the Citrus County-based Marine Science Station, on the Salt River in Crystal River, are available to students at every level.

The system's Instructional Resource Center offers all staff in-service training and access to a wide range of state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and materials. Concerts by the Florida Symphony and presentations by the Asolo Theater Company at Curtis Peterson Auditorium in the joint use complex at Lecanto are also supported by the school system.

Last year, the school system served over 14,000 students in its nine elementary schools (K-5), four middle schools (6-8), and three high schools (9-12). The system is supervised by an elected Superintendent and a School Board composed of five elected members. Each school is supported by an active School Advisory Enhancement Council through which interested community representative work closely with school staff. Most schools also have active PTA and PTO organizations.

The Citrus County school system, in partnership with the local business community, has developed an outstanding vocational training and career orientation curriculum to help meet the county's need to provide a skilled workforce for its growing business and industrial base. In the middle school years, students are introduced to computer science, economics and various industrial arts. At the high school level, many students may choose to pursue high tech training opportunities at the Withlacoochee Technical Institute.

The needs of special students are met through a combination of trained teachers and therapists who provide individualized educational programs for exceptional students, ages 1-21. For more information about Citrus County's Exceptional Student Education program, call (352) 344-9611.

Public Schools

SECONDARY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Citrus Springs - Lane Vick, Princ.
3570 W. Century Blvd, Citrus Springs
(352) 344-4079

Crystal River - Bennye Milton, Princ.
947 NE 6th St, Crystal River
(352) 795-2211

Floral City - Janet Reed, Princ.
8457 E. Marvin St, Floral City
(352) 726-1554

Forest Ridge - Regina Jablonskis, Princ.
Forest Ridge Rd, Beverly Hills
(352) 527-1808

Hernando - Carol Mainor, Princ.
2353 N. Croft Ave, Hernando
(352) 726-1833

Homosassa - Roberta Long, Princ.
10935 W. Yulee Drive, Homosassa
(352) 628-2953

Inverness - Teretta Charles, Princ.
206 S. Line Ave, Inverness
(352) 726-2632

Lecanto - Steve Guyler, Princ.
3790 W. Educational Path, Lecanto
(352) 746-2220

Pleasant Grove - Patrick Simon, Princ.
630 Pleasant Grove Road, Inverness
(352) 637-4400

Rock Crusher - Nancy Cimon, Princ.
814 S. Rock Crusher Rd, Homosassa
(352) 795-2010

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Crystal River - David Hickey, Princ.
705 NE 3rd Ave, Crystal River
(352) 795-2116

Citrus Springs - Mary Curry, Princ.
150 W. Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs
(352) 344-2244

Inverness - Cindy Staten, Princ.
1000 Middle School Drive, Inverness
(352) 726-1471

Lecanto - James Halcomb, Princ.
3800 W. Educational Path, Lecanto
(352) 746-2050

HIGH SCHOOLS

Citrus - Gary Foltz, Princ.
600 W. Highland Blvd, Inverness
(352) 726-2241

Crystal River - Craig Marlett, Princ.
1205 NE 8th St, Crystal River
(352) 795-4641

Lecanto - Steve Richardson, Princ.
3810 W. Educational Path, Lecanto
(352) 746-2334

OTHER

Crest - Keith Posta, Princ.
2600 S. Panther Dr, Lecanto
(352) 527-0303

Withlacoochee Technical Institute - Steve Hand, Director
1201 W. Main Street, Inverness
(352) 726-2430

Renaissance Center - David Cook, Princ.
221 Montgomery Avenue, Inverness
(352) 637-3636

PRIVATE

Central Catholic - Penelope Howell, Princ.
4341 W. Homosassa Dr, Lecanto
(352) 746-2020

ComeUnity Montessori School - Jamie Cooper, Director
215 Apopka Ave, Inverness
(352) 637-4367

New Testament Christian - Dennis Peeples, Princ.
9850 Parkside Ave S, Floral City
(352) 736-0360

River Gardens Christian - Marlene Pringle, Princ.
905 N. Citrus Ave, Crystal River
(352) 795-2079

Seven Rivers Christian - Ted Van Voorthuijsen, Primary Princ.
4221 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Lecanto
(352) 746-5696

St. Paul's Wels Evangelical Lutheran - John Melso, Princ.
31 N. Monroe St, Beverly Hills
(352) 527-1223

COLLEGE:

Central Florida Community College - Dr. James Harvey, Provost
3800 S. Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto
(352) 746-6721