Five Minutes with the Mayor

Your Voice, Our Direction:

What We Heard From Our First Community Survey

Earlier this month, we launched our first-ever community survey and the response was clear: Groveland residents care deeply about where our city is headed and want to be part of shaping the future.

We introduced this new engagement program to give more residents a voice in city decisions through quick, anonymous surveys, helping us better understand your priorities and make more informed choices.

What We Heard

Across the board, several themes rose to the top. Residents told us that public safety, road improvements and managing growth are among the most important priorities for our city. You also emphasized the importance of maintaining quality infrastructure and preserving Groveland’s character as we continue to grow.

Just as important, many of you shared a desire for clear communication and transparency, wanting to stay informed about projects, decisions and how your tax dollars are being used.

One thing stood out: many of you don't think you're getting your money's worth from the taxes you pay. This isn't surprising, especially given the higher price of groceries and gas right now. We'll be asking for more specifics in future surveys.

Why It Matters

The results of this and future surveys are more than just feedback: they’re a roadmap. They will help guide how we prioritize projects, allocate resources and plan for the future. Whether it’s investing in roads, expanding public safety services or improving communication, your input is directly shaping the work we do every day.

Keep the Conversation Going

If you haven’t signed up to take the surveys yet, please do so. Groveland works best when we work together and this is one more way we can listen, learn and move forward as one community.

Survey Sign-Up

Big Opportunity for Small Businesses

We recently celebrated an important investment in Groveland’s local business community: the groundbreaking of 1st American Way in the Christopher C. Ford Commerce Park.

This new small-bay industrial development will include three buildings with flexible spaces sized between 1,500 and 4,500 s.f. to support day-to-day operations, services and trades that residents rely on. With convenient access to the Turnpike, U.S. 27 and State Road 19, it will help strengthen connections between local businesses and the customers they serve. The first tenants are expected in early 2027.

K-9 Team Takes Drugs Off Streets

I’d like to take a moment to recognize the outstanding work of our Groveland Police Department, especially K-9 Officer Eastridge and his four-legged partner, Xena.

The 55-pound Belgian Malinois recently helped locate 104 grams of methamphetamine inside an abandoned building. That represents hundreds of individual doses and anyone in possession of that amount would be considered a drug trafficker.

This kind of work often happens behind the scenes, but it plays a critical role in keeping our neighborhoods safe. Our K-9 team is an essential part of that effort, assisting with searches, investigations and crime prevention every day.

Welcome Frank Calascione

We’re pleased to welcome Frank Calascione as Groveland’s new Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Economic Development Manager.

Frank brings valuable experience from his work with the City of Inverness and Citrus County, where he focused on community development, economic growth and local business support. His background and leadership will play an important role as we continue strengthening our downtown and creating opportunities for businesses to succeed.

On My Mind: A Fundamental Management Shift

Groveland is entering a new chapter: one that demands a more proactive and accountable approach to how we manage our city.

As an example, over the past year, we identified serious gaps in our financial processes. These were not small issues, they were systemic. Our annual audit was submitted more than six months late and over a five-month period, a significant number of vendor invoices were not paid within the state-required timeframe.

A closer review showed the issue wasn’t funding, it was a result of staffing challenges and outdated systems that hadn’t kept pace with a growing city.

That’s not the standard our residents deserve and it’s not the standard we will accept. Today, all invoices are current and being paid on time, and we are on track to complete our next audit within the required deadline. Open positions are being filled. We’ve also streamlined approvals, increased payment frequency, modernized systems and cross-trained staff to prevent future bottlenecks.

Additionally, Interim City Manager Tim Maslow and senior staff are revamping the organizational chart to keep pace with growth and updating our strategic and comprehensive plans to enhance levels of service.

This is what a proactive approach looks like: fixing problems at the root and building systems that work. Each department has been asked to take the same approach. This management shift is essential to maintaining trust and delivering the services our community depends on.

Faster Care When Every Second Counts

In an emergency, seconds matter. That’s why Groveland has equipped every fire vehicle with advanced medical capabilities, allowing life-saving care to begin the moment crews arrive.

Our firefighters and EMTs can immediately respond to cardiac events, serious injuries and other medical emergencies with both the tools and training needed to stabilize patients on scene.

The impact of speed is well documented. During cardiac arrest, a person’s chance of survival decreases by 7–10% for every minute without CPR or defibrillation, and faster response times are directly linked to better outcomes.

By investing in advanced care, we’re improving response times and giving people the best possible chance when it matters most.

City Manager Search Underway

As most of you know, our city manager, Mike Hein, resigned last month after eight years in his position. We are grateful for his leadership and the strong foundation he helped build for Groveland, including the Strategic Plan that continues to guide our work today.

We are actively searching for our next City Manager and are taking a thoughtful and deliberate approach. With more than $250 million in capital projects underway and a community that continues to evolve, it’s important that we find the right leader for this next chapter.

In the meantime, our team remains focused on delivering services, advancing key projects and keeping the city moving forward without interruption.

Private Investment to Pay for Improved Turnpike Interchange

We recently reached an agreement that represents a major milestone for Groveland’s future.

As part of its new master-planned community Brighthill, the Eisenhower Group has committed to funding major improvements to our Turnpike interchange, representing a private investment of $50 to $70 million. The group has already paid $7 million in impact fees. This is a significant partnership that will help advance critical infrastructure without placing that burden on taxpayers.

Improvements to the interchange will enhance mobility along the U.S. 27 corridor, support local businesses and help diversify Groveland’s tax base.

April is Bursting with Spring Fun!

Don't miss one of the best events in Groveland: our annual Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt. The fun starts at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday April 4 at Cherry Lake Park. You bring the baskets, we'll bring the eggs. Don't worry, there are hunts for different age groups throughout the morning.

And join us for an Arbor Day Celebration at Cherry Lake Park Friday, April 24 at

11:30 a.m.

Stay Engaged with Us!

If you're interested in:

Lakefront Festivities

Join us for our Second Friday Block Party Friday, April 10 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lake David Park

Groveland City Management

Join City Council meetings Monday, April 6 and Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. at the Puryear Building. A Council Workshop will also be held Thursday April 16 at 10 a.m. at the Puryear Building

The Great Outdoors

Part of our Outdoor Adventure Series, join an E-bike ride through Groveland Saturday, April 25 at 8:30 a.m. Starting location is 15001 Silver Lake Trail

Please share this with your friends and neighbors!

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