Candidate: Holly Leigh Davis

“I pledge that you will always know where I stand, why I cast a vote, and what my values are. We may not agree on everything, but my promise to you is that I will always do my research and my best to make the right decisions for the future of Citrus County. Further, I will always be available to have a conversation to explain my position and understand your view."

Faithfully yours, Holly Davis 

1. Drove a Citizen-Led Planned Future 

Holly's #1 campaign promise was to launch Citrus County’s first-ever official Strategic Plan which happened Jan 2023. Five words lie atop this historic effort: “Where nature and community thrive.”

Two town halls and a workshop with 40 citizen leaders crafted the plan. The FSU facilitators remarked that in all their years of helping with governmental strategic plans, this was their first that was not politician-led, but citizen-led!

The goals, steps, and timelines included in the plan have accelerated long-overdue projects that were stuck in “government red tape,” such as the Inverness Airport Business Park, CR491 widening, the barge canal boat ramps, and the new animal shelter.

2. Voted to Start Paving Roads & Stop Wasting Money  

Residential road resurfacing has been underfunded for many decades, far from a best-practice repaving cycle of 20-25 years. When a road hits rebuild status, it costs over 3x more to rebuild as repave on time! Every year Citrus County underfunded roads, it was digging a deeper hole, an insane waste of taxpayer dollars driven by short-sightedness and election cycles. Beginning with the 2023/24 budget, Citrus County is now on a 20-25 year cycle. It will take time to catch up, but many more miles of roads will be done in 2024!

 3. Supported Move to County Culture of Performance 

Under the leadership of a new county administrator, Team Citrus staff have embraced a service-first culture of fresh ideas and energy. We are well on our way to becoming a performance-based organization where residents can see far more clearly what they’re getting for their hard-earned tax dollars.

4. Set a Course to Effective Transparency

In her first year as a commissioner, Holly improved the county’s communication with citizens via the strategic plans, and laid the groundwork for a far more effective level of transparency going forward.

Because, while Citrus County budgets win awards for clarity and transparency, these  finances and many of the other subjects tackled are complex, and could be far more efficiently communicated to residents. Getting the communication right the first time helps the county run lean on minimized tax dollars, and improves trust in county government. Look for many new communication initiatives in 2024.

5. Continually Sought Education & Valuable Connections

Beyond required annual Ethics training, optional certifications and participation in organizations ensure that your commissioners have received the training necessary to do their job, especially in the area of growth management. Participation builds connections to bring grant money and opportunities home to Citrus, and a collective voice promotes fewer state preemptions and greater local choice. 

Holly is a Certified County Commissioner (CCC), and will earn Advanced CCC in April 2024. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Counties, on the Water/Environmental Sustainability and Community/Urban Affairs committees for FAC, and on the Community/Economic Workforce Development committee for National Association of Counties. She attends Tallahassee Legislative Days (instrumental in obtaining state funding for numerous county priorities) and many Florida Chamber economic summits. 

 Background

Holly grew up in Crystal River, returning to help mom Terry Davis through last years of dementia, and to spend time with her late father, retired Navy Capt. Tom Davis of Crystal River Airport. She has lived in Citrus County almost two decades cumulatively, in districts 1, 3 & 5.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from UT Austin, going on to win dozens of national awards in advertising copywriting, creative direction and strategy. Holly remains owner of Horsefly Group ad agency, although her corporate duties have taken a back seat to her work for the residents of Citrus County.

On the fun side, Holly loves the outdoors, is a horsewoman, scuba diver and pilot. In her teen years she spent a lot of time water skiing, snorkeling, flying, and went muddin’ a time or twenty. Holly ran for BOCC in 2020 because she was worried her beloved Citrus County was ill-prepared to survive the forecast growth. 

Today, she’s running for re-election as your County Commissioner because while great progress has been made, there is much yet to be accomplished. Fully 50% of Citrus County can never be developed, which is terrific. Of the remainder, Holly wants to ensure that ag lands are protected, and that otherwise “the right projects go in the right places”. 

Holly Davis humbly asks for your vote on August 20, 2024.