Here is a text-only, direct statement from Paul M. Grogan on Steve Howard, the Citrus County Administrator:
Paul M. Grogan on County Administrator Steve Howard:
Steve Howard was brought in as County Administrator to help “professionalize” Citrus County’s operations and guide us through the next phase of growth and infrastructure. I respect his experience and his calm approach to management. He’s not a showman—he’s a systems guy. And there’s value in that.
That said, I believe any unelected administrator—no matter how skilled—must remain accountable to the people, not just to the board that hires him. Citrus County’s future isn’t just a spreadsheet or a PowerPoint slide. It’s families, faith groups, first responders, food insecurity, and economic displacement. Those don’t show up on quarterly reports, but they live in our neighborhoods every day.
I’ve watched Steve’s presentations. I’ve followed the contracts, the land swaps, the big project plans. Some of them are solid. But what concerns me is how often the community gets spoken to instead of being heard from. There’s a difference.
My job isn’t to attack Steve—it’s to remind him that behind every permit and rezoning file is a family trying to stay in this county. My commitment, if elected, is to work with Mr. Howard when he puts the public first—and to challenge him respectfully when bureaucracy forgets who it serves.
I believe in accountability. I believe in stewardship. And I believe in a County Administrator who listens to the people as much as he listens to consultants and departments. I’m not asking Steve Howard to step down—I’m asking him to look up and see the community that’s watching.
