The Florida Department of Citrus has been forced to make numerous cuts in its budget during the years HLB has reduced Florida citrus crops. The most recent cut was made in January. The cuts have been required because the vast majority of the department’s programs are funded with an assessment on each box of citrus sold into commercial channels. Department Executive Director David Steele summarizes the places the cuts have been made, including personnel reductions and having department staff handle some tasks that were previously contracted.
