The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Opponents cite access concerns in Wesley Chapel rezoning

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Questions are being raised about the safety of entering Wesley Chapel Boulevard from Hay Road, in a rezoning case seeking to allow 35 single-family attached townhomes on Hay Road.

The applicant, Lawrence P. Martinez, represented by Attorney Barbara Wilhite, is seeking to change the zoning on about 6 acres from agricultural use to medium density, multiple family.

The Pasco County Planning Commission heard the request at its May 9 public hearing.

The request involves a parcel on the west side of Hay Road, about 1,800 feet south of Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The applicant has voluntarily agreed to deed restrictions that would limit the use of the property to single-family attached townhomes, said Denise Hernandez, Pasco County’s zoning administrator.

“This will not be an apartment complex,” Hernandez told planning commissioners, who serves as an advisory body to the Pasco County Commission on zoning and land use plan cases.

The zoning administrator also noted that the Pasco County Commission has approved similar zoning requests, and that county planners have recommended approval.

“The access at this point of time is proposed through Hay Road,” Hernandez said, but she added there’s a possibility that the parcel maybe developed along with the property to the north. If that happens, the primary access would be Wesley Chapel Boulevard, also known as County Road 54.

Neighbors, however, voiced concerns about the safety of using Hay Road as the primary access. Reginal Mesimer, a traffic engineer from St. Petersburg, appeared on behalf of Perry and Synthia Horner, who own property near the proposed rezoning.

The Horners own Hay Road, with some others who have easements to use it, Mesimer said.

“Right now, there are seven homes on Hay Road. One day, the Horners would like to develop their property with 200 units.

“About a year ago, a traffic signal went up at the entrance of Grand Oaks Boulevard, which didn’t line up with Hay Road. Now, there’s no way to provide a left-turn lane to enter Hay Road from County Road 54, and northbound queuing traffic coming out of Hay Road often is blocked by traffic queuing at the traffic signal at (County Road) 54.

“Mr. Horner tells me in the past year there have been two accidents associated with people who actually live on Hay Road, at that intersection, simply because Hay Road is so close to the traffic signal.

“Now, the county has plans to widen County Road 54 (also called Wesley Chapel Boulevard) to six lanes,” Mesimer added.

Mesimer noted that the parcel up for rezoning might be joined with another to the north, which has access to Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

That would be more suitable than trying to flow the traffic from the 35 new units onto Hay Road, Mesimer said.

The Horners have offered to provide land for an access road to allow motorists to drive to the signalized intersection at Grand Oaks Boulevard, which would improve access for everyone using Hay Road, Perry Horner said.

Paul Steele, of 4100 Hay Road in Lutz, urged planning commissioners to reject the rezoning request.

“We see our lives being turned upside down by this whole development, and a devaluation of our property. I’m here in complete protest to the idea,” he said.

Steele said he has lived on his property for 22 years and is raising several children there.

“We moved into that neighborhood for the specific express purpose of having our solitude, our privacy, being able to lead our lives in a certain way — free of heavy traffic, free of potential crime, free of people coming onto property constantly, being able to have our dogs run free, etc., etc., etc.

“This proposed development is going to have a serious negative impact on our lifestyle.

“If the road situation is not changed, it will have even an additional impact on the safety of my family and people coming to visit us on Hay Road.

“There’s been two very serious accidents. It led to one resident actually selling the property, leaving the property.

“It’s already a bad situation with a blind turn. When you turn right off of Hay Road today, traffic is coming 55, 60, 65 miles an hour. Very frequently people are almost rear-ended, just making a right-hand turn because you can’t see the traffic coming,” Steele said.

Wilhite said she’s not sure if her client will use Hay Road to get to Wesley Chapel Boulevard, or will be able to access the road through a property to the north.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, asked the applicants if there is sufficient right of way to improve Hay Road, if that becomes necessary for access.

Steve Henry, a traffic engineer from Lincks & Associates, representing the applicant, said there is enough right of way for a 20-foot road on Hay Road.

The planning board unanimously recommended approval of the rezoning. The Pasco County Commission has the final say.

Published May 15, 2019

Expert: Vaccination prevents measles

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Measles is back in the news again — in a big way.

From Jan. 1 to May 3, there were 764 individual cases reported in 23 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

And, as of May 9, Florida had two reported cases, according to the Florida Department of Health.

It’s important to stay aware, said Suzanne Chandler, system director of Infection Prevention and Control for Baycare Health System.

Suzanne Chandler is system director of Infection Prevention and Control for Baycare Health System.

Media coverage of new outbreaks has ramped up concerns, she said.

“With the hype of the media, we’re getting a lot of calls, even from providers. So, it’s not only just the public. It’s even the health care worker,” she said.

And, because Florida is such a big tourist state — attracting people from so many places, an outbreak could occur potentially anytime, she said.

“So, we do need to be on the alert. But, there’s no need to panic,” she said.

The best protection against the measles is vaccination, she added.

Health care providers and county health departments offer the MMR vaccine, which prevents measles, mumps and rubella.

“If you had the (vaccination) series as a child, typically, you should be protected,” Chandler said. For those who are unsure of that protection, there is a blood test that can be done to determine the level of protection. In some cases, a new vaccination may be needed.

It’s a highly contagious disease and it spreads via the air. People who have not been vaccinated are highly likely to get it.

The important thing to remember is that someone with measles is highly contagious for four days before the rash develops and four days after it, she said.

Symptoms of measles typically begin as an upper respiratory type of infection, including a runny nose.

Often, there will be conjunctivitis-type symptoms, where the eyes are running.

A cough and fever are common, and occasionally there will be little white spots inside of the mouth — but not everyone gets those.

“The rash will come later. The rash usually starts at the top and works its way down, the head and face and neck,” Chandler said. “It covers the body.”

People sometimes mistake another respiratory virus for the measles, she said.

“Honestly, there’s a lot of respiratory viruses out there and a lot of them do cause rashes,” she said.

As a result, “a lot of these people have flocked into their pediatricians or their doctor’s offices. It turns out not to be measles, but people are still concerned because they’ve had similar symptoms,” she said.

If a parent with more than one child discovers that one of the children has a case of the measles, the other children should be vaccinated and kept away from where the ill child is staying, she said.

Keep the healthy children out of the house, she advised.

Measles is so contagious that it can travel through air vents, she explained.

If a patient suspected of having measles arrives at the hospital, the patient is placed in a negative pressure room —an isolation technique used in hospitals to avoid cross-contamination.

Those caring for the patient would wear special masks, she added.

If a parent suspects their child has measles, they should get in touch with medical staff before taking them into a doctor’s office or emergency room — and to be sure the child has a mask on before entering the facility.

Without the mask, “everybody gets exposed because it’s so highly contagious. Everybody that’s in that emergency room waiting could potentially be exposed,” Chandler said.

Complications from measles can include ear infections, and in rare instances, deafness, she said.

“Younger children can get pneumonia and croup, which also are viral in nature,” she said.

Extreme complications would be encephalitis or blindness, she added.

“The fact that we have a fair number of unvaccinated people in the U.S. right now is why we are seeing the measles outbreak,” Chandler said. “We went for 25 years; it was gone. We just didn’t see it at all. Now, it’s back again. In that time period, a lot of folks chose not to vaccinate their children for various reasons.”

Symptoms of measles
These symptoms appear typically 7 days to 14 days after infection:

  • High fever
  • Cough
  • Red, watery eyes
  • Within three days to five days a rash often develops on the face and neck, and can spread to the rest of the body.

What to do if you think you or a loved one has measles?
First, call your health care provider or facility, or county health department and report your concerns. Do not go directly to a health care provider’s office or facility, or the county health department.

A health care provider or a county health department official will give you instructions on getting seen in a timely manner, and how you can avoid exposing other people to measles.

Source: Florida Department of Health

Published May 15, 2019

Changes coming to Sunlake and State Road 54

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The Pasco County Commission has approved an amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan, at the southwest corner of Sunlake Boulevard and State Road 54.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider a specific zoning request for the land at a May 21 public hearing.

The 72.6-acre parcel, which is part of the Long Lake Ranch development, previously was designated for retail, office and residential to a planned development designation.

The change also includes a text amendment to the long-range plan to expand the general range of potential uses to include compatible light industrial, distribution, logistics, research and corporate parks, and target industries.

Among other things, the change is consistent with the comprehensive plan goal, which encourages large-scale employment opportunities in the county, according to background materials in the commissioners’ agenda packet.

The agenda backup also notes that the wetlands on the site must be protected.

On a motion by Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, the board voted 4-0, with Commissioner Mike Wells absent.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider a specific zoning request for the land during their May 21 public hearing, which begins at 1:30 p.m., and will be in the board’s chambers at government center in New Port Richey. The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the rezoning request.

Published May 15, 2019

Town of St. Leo opposes increased density near its border

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of changes that would allow increased development on the edge of the Town of St. Leo, despite objections from Town leadership.

Planning commissioners unanimously recommended that a change to the county’s comprehensive land use plan be approved, as well as a change to zoning on 175 acres at the southwest corner of State Road 52 and Prospect Road.

Richard Christmas, mayor of St. Leo, urged planning commissioners to reject the proposed changes — which had received a recommendation of approval from the county’s staff.

Christmas said the increased density is not compatible with St. Leo’s rural character. He also cited concerns about disrupting the view shed the town now enjoys.

Planners and representatives for the applicant, however, said the proposed use of the land would be an appropriate transition between the Villages of Pasadena Hills and the Town of St. Leo.

The proposed land use change would allow a maximum of 900 dwellings, 340,000 square feet of commercial and 60,000 square feet of office.

The proposed master unit planned development zoning, which is being requested on the same acreage, would allow 600 dwellings, 340,000 square feet of commercial and 60,000 square feet of office.

The applicant requested 600 dwellings for both the land use and zoning changes, but the county’s staff recommended 900 dwellings for the land use change, to allow consideration of additional residential development if there’s a demand for it in the future, Barbara Wilhite, an attorney representing the applicant, said at the May 9 public hearing.

The land is currently undeveloped, with the exception of a barn.

County planners said the development provides a transition between the Villages of Pasadena Hills and would step down in intensity, as it gets closer to the town. They also said the plan would provide bicycle/pedestrian connectivity to existing trails and would seek to prevent visual intrusion.

Christmas told the planning commission that the town has been concerned about the proposed density of the plan ever since initial discussions with the applicant in December 2018.

“The Town is OK with the current zoning. The current zoning is compatible with the zoning that’s across the street, State Road 52, which is Lake Jovita, one dwelling unit per gross acre. That’s what the zoning is right now. We’re perfectly fine with that.

“What is being proposed is going beyond what their current rights are to something way more dense,” he said.

In addition to the 900 units contemplated in the land plan change, there would be “the equivalent of 3 ½ Home Depots and 60,000 square feet of office space,” Christmas said.

“The Town (of St. Leo) requests denial of the proposed comprehensive plan change,” the mayor said.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, asked Christmas if the Town of St. Leo had objected when the Villages of Pasadena Hills was created.

Christmas said there would have objections to density like this on the town border.

But, Goldstein pressed him: “Did you show up at any county public hearing?”

Goldstein continued: “It’s just interesting to me that nobody from the Town was there when we were approving the Villages of Pasadena Hills, including when we were trying to decide whether to include this piece of property. The Town wasn’t there at all.”

This property initially was going to be included in the Villages of Pasadena, and was only dropped at the last minute, Goldstein said.

“The question for you is, if this was so egregious for this to happen, where was the Town the day whether we were deciding to keep it in Pasadena Hills or not? Where were you?” Goldstein said.

But, Christmas told Goldstein that was not the issue before the Planning Commission.

Matt Armstrong, representing the applicant, told planning commissioners: “Density in the right place and in the right way can be a good thing because it does conserve the land, instead of just spreading it (development) out all over the place, without any kind of respect for what’s there.”

The new State Road 52 alignment goes through the property, and there will be an increased demand for development in the area, Armstrong said.

The master plan for the zoning also call for decreasing the density, as it approaches the edge of the Town of St. Leo, Armstrong added.

“We’re residential to residential. That’s compatible.

“When you are up against the Town, it’s only single-family. You can’t have apartments there, you can’t have multifamily there. There can’t be townhouses there,” Armstrong said.

The pedestrian and bicycle connections will make it possible for people to get to where they need to go without having a car, he said.

Attorney Wilhite reminded planning commissioners: “The comp (comprehensive) plan frowns on a Res-1 density because that is the definition of sprawl. It’s inefficient land use pattern.

“Density is not your enemy,” she added. It allows for master drainage plans, streetlights, parks and sidewalks.

“We’re proud of this project. We think it would be a very good project and a good fit,” she said, asking the Planning Commission for its approval.

But, Christmas repeated his concerns.

“To be clear, the Town’s not saying no to development, just that the development next to the Town needs to be compatible with the Town, sensitive to the topography and is not an eyesore,” Christmas said.

Planning commissioners unanimously recommended approval of both the land use and rezoning for the property. The Pasco County Commission will have the final say on the requests.

Published May 15, 2019

Pasco terminates agreement with USF regarding ‘body farm’

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The Pasco County Commission has voted to terminate an agreement with the University of South Florida involving 6 acres of land, north of Central Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes.

Commissioners ended the arrangement with USF — effective May 7, 2022 —  as part of their consent agenda on May 7.

Items on the consent agenda are voted on in a single block without discussion, unless someone pulls the item for discussion.

No commissioner pulled this item for discussion, but some people from the audience signed up for public comment to ask commissioners to rethink the county’s position.

Terms of the original agreement state that it can be terminated without cause by the university or the county, upon 36 months written notice.

Speakers told commissioners that the site is well-managed, plays an important role in research and has attracted widespread attention.

Melissa Pope, of Tampa, told commissioners: “I am investigator at the Medical Examiner in Hillsborough. I’ve worked with the medical examiner that services Pasco and Pinellas, and I have either worked for or with USF anthropology for about 12 years.

“I’m here to urge you to reconsider your stance on this termination. The program is still in its infancy, but it appears to be doing very well.

“I think this is clear based on doing a Google search of how much news has come out of there, as well as the sheer number of researchers, graduate students, undergrads and law enforcement, medical and legal agencies that have been involved in training and research.

“I believe it’s been doing well because of the good leadership that has been in place so far. Dr. (Erin H.) Kimmerle has been working on this project for years.

“She has overseen everything from the infancy of the beginning of the planning up until today and, as previously mentioned, has a lot of plans for the future.

“Ultimately, this project is her intellectual property. She wrote the grant for this. I feel that the work it represents is hers, and she is the reason it has been doing so well.”

Other speakers told commissioners that Kimmerle’s reputation has attracted considerable interest in the site and the work being done there. They also cited ongoing research and training sessions that reflect well on the relationship between USF, the county and sheriff’s office, relating to the site.

Chase Daniels, policy director for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, told commissioners that the contract termination is essentially “a land use issue.”

“When this agreement was approved, it was 6 acres. USF is currently using approximately 3 acres,” Daniels said.

“We have multiple partners at this (body farm) site. We have UF, FGCU, UCF, USF, FSU and other universities that are still coming onboard,” Daniels said.

“USF was the only entity that had its own exclusive land use agreement, over 6 acres.

“We approached USF, with this desire, to have 3 acres returned,” he said, but that did not occur.

So, the decision was made to terminate the agreement, Daniels said. He also noted that USF is welcome to join with the other universities, but it won’t have an exclusive arrangement.

“The field is not going anywhere. This is just mainly to take out that exclusivity, return 3 acres back to the county for use,” Daniels said.

He also told commissioners: “We also have an additional forensics field that is coming online that this board has already approved, as well. That will be in addition to this existing field.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey responded to the agreement termination this way: “We’re not excluding anyone. We just want everyone to work together.”

Published May 15, 2019

Merged chambers to become Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce

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Members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce came together last week to mark a historical milestone.

They are merging effective July 1, and a special gathering was held to announce the new chamber’s name.

Greg Armstrong, chairman of the board for the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and Les Saland, president of the board for the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, both offered remarks during an event that marked a milestone in both chambers’ history. The gathering was held to announce the name of the new chamber being formed to unify both chambers into a single organization. (B.C. Manion)

The new chamber is expected to have more than 1,000 members and will cover an area from Wesley Chapel to the Gulf of Mexico, from county line to county line.

The recent gathering, dubbed the “Come Together Ambassador Mixer” drew a crowd .

So many people streamed to Spring Hill Suites Tampa North Land O’ Lakes in Land O’ Lakes — that parking was at a premium. The hotel’s lot filled up. Cars made their own spaces along the street. And, more parked on a nearby grassy lot.

Meanwhile, inside, the room was buzzing with conversation as members of both chambers networked, lined up for a hot food buffet and listened to live music.

Those attending also had a chance to win numerous prizes — with winners announced periodically during the celebration.

The main event was the announcement of the unified chamber’s new name.

But before that , Les Saland, president of the Central Pasco Chamber board, told the crowd that he believes the merger was meant to happen.

Greg Armstrong, chairman of the board for the West Pasco Chamber, observed that it’s an opportune time for the two groups to come together.

“This new chamber of commerce sits in the center of the fastest-growing county in the United States,” Armstrong said — eliciting cheers, applause and woo-hoos from the crowd.

“What that means for every business and every citizen is unparalleled opportunity — and that’s what this new chamber is going to be all about, is bringing to our businesses unparalleled opportunity to do exactly what? More business,” Armstrong said.

Tim McClain, an executive with the West Pasco Chamber staff, announced the winner for the naming contest for the new chamber.

Tim Hoppes, of Big State Financial of Florida, won the contest with his suggestion: Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

“It overwhelmingly was the No. 1 choice,” McClain said, noting numerous people suggested the name.

Hoppes was declared the winner because he submitted it first — within the first hour of the naming contest. The rules said the winner would be the first person to suggest the selected name, McClain said.

Next up, the two chambers will come together for an awards banquet and installation of the new officers. That event is planned for June 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz. For more information, visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Published May 15, 2019

Business Digest 05/15/2019

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Senior Living groundbreaking
Blue Heron Senior Living Community, at 29701 Stockton Drive in Wesley Chapel, will have a groundbreaking ceremony on May 15 at 9 a.m. The facility will include assisted living, rehabilitation, memory care and skilled nursing.

Blue Heron will offer 95 resort-style private suites where individuals will be provided assistance, as needed. It will feature a health spa, theater, wellness gym, activity center, resident art gallery, library, bistro shop and town square.

A separate wing of 22 apartments will be specifically dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s or other forms of age-associated memory impairment.

The first residents of Blue Heron Senior Community will begin to move on campus in the spring of 2021. The senior living community is expected to create more than 225 new jobs.

For more information, call (765) 664-5400.

Market & Café ribbon cutting
Farmhouse Market & Café, 14124 Fifth St., in Dade City, is having its ribbon cutting ceremony on May 18 at 10 a.m. The café, housed in a 5,000-square-foot building, will serve breakfast, lunch and coffee. The business also will offer custom-made furniture, home décor, jellies, jams, honey, meats and fresh produce. Most recently, Thornhill’s Auto Repair operated in the 1926 building.

Virtual building inspections
Pasco County is now offering VuSpex, a virtual building inspections tool that provides inspection services to contractors, remotely, through the use of a Smartphone or tablet. The VuSpex app connects offsite inspectors with onsite contractors via video, which saves time and, therefore, money.

The inspectors remotely direct the onsite contractors as the contractors record videos, photos and notes at the jobsite. A geo-locator ensures that the inspection location matches the permit address. To find out more, visit bit.ly/PascoVuSpex.

East Pasco Networking
Melonie Monson, the executive director of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, and Randy Stovall, president of the Zephyrhills chamber, will be the featured speakers at the East Pasco Networking Group’s May 28 meeting. The group meets at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP at 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Chamber breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce business breakfast is set for May 21, with registration and networking at 7 a.m. and breakfast at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast will be at AdventHealth Dade City, 13100 Fort King Road, Medical Plaza 1, in Classroom 107 and 108. The education committee will be introducing and presenting four Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce Community Service and Involvement Scholarships. The recipients are Paul Leon, Sarah Peterson, Kaleigh Sinka and Megan Simonelli.

To RSVP and pay online, go to DadeCityChamber.org/chamber-breakfast.

Good place for startups
WalletHub, a personal finance website recently took a look at 2019’s Best Large Cities to start a business and compared 100 U.S. cities across 19 key indicators of startup viability. Tampa came in No. 5 on the list, following only Orlando; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Miami; and Austin, Texas. Miami ranked No. 1 for the number of startups per 100,000 people, with a rate of 234.72. That’s 3.2 times as many as Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which had the fewest at 74.40 per 100,000.

Upcoming celebrations
These businesses and organizations are planning celebrations soon.

  • Licciardo Stables, 3007 Sunset Lane in Lutz, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, May 20 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Maus Family Chevrolet, 16414 N. Dale Mabry Highway, May 22 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Other recent celebrations took place at the Dental Associates of Florida, 23461 State Road 54 in Lutz; Fit 4 you Foods, NTBC Office, 1866 Highland Oaks Blvd., Suite A, in Lutz; and, Blue Heron Communities, 5085 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

 

Saint Anthony Catholic School turns 135 years old

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The grounds of Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio are expected to be buzzing with excitement on May 10, when the school celebrates its 135th anniversary.

The Most Rev. Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, will preside over a 9 a.m. Mass, followed by speeches by dignitaries, a spring concert and lunch.

Sister Alice Ottapurackal said everyone is invited to attend May 10 festivities to celebrate the 135th anniversary of Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio. (B.C. Manion)

It promises to be a festive occasion for the oldest elementary school in Pasco County and the sixth oldest Catholic school in Florida.

Sister Alice Ottapurackal, school principal, said parents, community members, faculty, staff, students and an advisory board have all played a role preparing for the occasion.

The school, at 12155 Joe Hermann Drive, has 210 students, in kindergarten through eighth grade. It emphasizes academic excellence and faith formation, the principal said.

To gear up for the anniversary celebration, each class researched a 15-year period and fashioned posters sharing facts about events in the Catholic Church, and in the world at large.

The community celebration of the school’s anniversary is fitting, in a place that shows such strong support for the school and appreciates its history, Sister Ottapurackal said.

It’s also an expression of gratitude.

“We’re so grateful for this many years of blessings that God has given us.

“We are celebrating the joy and the gratitude of the opportunity to serve the people for 135 years,” the school principal said.

In addition to blessings from God, the school has enjoyed the support of  the community, families with children at the school, the staff, the Franciscan Sisters, the Benedictine Sisters and Monks, and the Diocese of St. Petersburg, she said.

A massive crowd turned out to dedicate the new school building. (File)

“We all just come together,” she said.

“People have a special love toward this school,” she said. “Whenever we ask for help to improve this school, people are ready to help.”

The school initially opened in 1884, in a 12-foot by 24-foot schoolhouse. That was followed by a two-story frame building.

Next, came a three-story brick building, constructed in 1922, which served thousands of students over decades.

A new building was constructed in 2015, designed architecturally to match the 1922 structure. The St. Petersburg Diocese’ Forward in Faith Capital Campaign made the new structure possible. The 1922 structure was renovated in 2016, through the support of the parish community.

One of the special guests invited to the May 10 event is Mary Louise Clift, of San Antonio.

Her family, originally from Germany, came to the area in 1920, and her father helped to build the 1922 brick structure, the principal said.

Anyone who would like to attend the festivities is welcome, Sister Ottapurackal said.

“The people here are so into history and tradition. They value it. We want to celebrate with them,” she said.

Saint Anthony Catholic School turns 135
Where: 12155 Joe Hermann Drive, San Antonio
When: May 10: 9 a.m., Mass; 10:30 a.m., concert, and other festivities
Cost: Free
Details: The Most. Rev. Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg will preside over the Mass. There will be a spring concert following the Mass. Dignitaries will speak and then there will be a family lunch, with everyone treated to lunch.
Info: Call Saint Anthony Catholic School at (352) 588-3041.

Revised May 13, 2019

Published May 08, 2019

Pasco County’s fiscal picture appears bright for 2020

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As budget planning ramps up for fiscal year 2020, Pasco County officials believe the county has bright economic prospects for the coming year.

“We’re now projecting for the fiscal 2020 budget an increase of 9.5 percent of countywide taxable assessed values. That is the same increase as we had in fiscal year 2019,” said Robert Goehig, budget director for Pasco County.

“This 9.5 percent increase is huge. It’s unprecedented. We haven’t seen increases like this, really, at all. At 9.5 percent increase of assessed value, that generates about an additional $18.5 million in property tax revenues,” the budget expert told the Pasco County Commission, during a workshop session on April 30.

He also noted that the expected rate of the increase for the coming year is the same as it was in 2008, before the Great Recession.

Unlike then, however, the underlying economy is much stronger, Goehig said.

“We feel we’re in a better position now than we were in 2008 because, in 2008, a lot of those home values were really hyper-inflated,” Goehig said.

“Those assessed values now are more based on reason, more based on the market supply and demand than they were 11 years ago. Plus, we’ve added $7 billion in new construction to the assessed value base since then,” the budget director said.

Paying close attention to the economy is important, he added, because it has an impact on the county’s operation.

“So, as the economy does well, people are out spending money. They’re investing in their businesses; they’re investing in their homes.

“This increases sales tax. People travel. That increases fuel tax, which allows us to provide the services that our customers have come to expect,” he said.

As the economy cools, however, the county is less able to meet its customers’ expectations, he said.

To stay on top of the economy, the county monitors all of the standard national, regional and state measures, such as inflation, unemployment and gross domestic product, he said.

It also considers building permit activity, half-cent sales tax revenues and the amount of trash taken to the county’s solid waste site, Goehig added. A decline in those three indicators serves as an early warning signal that the local economy is cooling, he explained.

Because of the current strength of these indicators, the county expects its economy to remain strong, whether or not other places experience a downturn, he said.

“Single-family residential permits is just going through the roof,” Goehig said, noting there were nearly 500 single-family housing permits issued in March.

He also noted that half-cent sales tax revenues are growing at a rate of about 4 percent a year.

Gearing up for the fiscal year 2020 budget, the county is using a new approach, the budget official said.

“In a change this year to our budget process, we’ve asked our department directors to give us all of the initiatives they believe they need to operate their business. In the past years, they’ve kind of self-selected and they haven’t brought forth things that they need because they thought, ‘I’m never getting money for this, why should I even bring it up?’

“We’ve asked them: Even if you think you’re not getting the money for it, bring it up and we’ll discuss it.

“As a result, we’ve gotten over a hundred business plan initiatives that address the general fund and the municipal services fund,” he said.

County Administrator Dan Biles said funding decisions on those priorities will be based on prioritizing the list, then matching it with available funds.

“I haven’t looked at the priority list yet,” Biles said, but he assured commissioners that staff will meet with them individually and they’ll have a chance to look at the entire list.

Much of the discussion about priorities that ultimately will make it into the budget is expected at a budget workshop set for June 25.

“That’s when we’ll dive into the details,” Biles said.

Published May 08, 2019

Business Digest 05/08/2019

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Main Street accreditation
Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., has been designated as a Main Street America program for meeting rigorous accreditation standards, according to a news release from the Main Street Zephyrhills office. The performance of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., is evaluated annually by the Florida Main Street Program, which works in partnership with the National Main Street Center to identify the local programs that meet 10 national performance standards, the release says.

Chambers joining forces
The Central Pasco Chamber and the West Pasco Chamber are joining forces, and the new name for the unified organization will be revealed at a “Come Together” mixer on May 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Springhill Suites Tampa North Land O’ Lakes, 16615 Crosspointe Run, Land O’ Lakes.

Home Health ribbon cutting
A ribbon cutting ceremony is set for May 9 at 9 a.m., at 1930 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., to celebrate the launch of Gulfside Home Health, a business line under Gulfside Healthcare Services, formerly known as Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care.

Pasco Kids First open house
Pasco Kids First is hosting an open house and ribbon cutting on May 10 from noon to 2 p.m., at its new East Pasco office in the Dade City Business Center, 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 103. Pasco Kids First is a private, nonprofit organization serving families and children in Pasco County. The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will hold the ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Tourist council opening
Pasco County’s Destination Management Organization is seeking an applicant for the Pasco County Tourist Development Council.

The position is  voluntary. Council members serve for four-year terms.

The TDC typically meets monthly, alternating between New Port Richey and Dade City.

Applicants must live and be registered to vote in Pasco County and must be actively involved with the tourism industry, such as a hotel representative, attraction partner or something along those lines.

The TDC is an advisory council to the Pasco County Commission.

For more information, visit bit.ly/PascoTDC, or email Kolby Kucyk Gayson at .

Business workshop
The Pasco County Purchasing Department invites all local vendors interested in doing business with Pasco County to attend a vendor workshop on May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Pasco County Historic Courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City. The workshop will cover the ins and outs of doing business with the county. To learn more about the county’s purchasing department, visit bit.ly/PascoPurchasing.

East Pasco Networking
David West will be the featured speaker at the May 14 breakfast meeting of the East Pasco Networking Group. The meeting, which starts at 7:30 a.m., will be at IHOP, at 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Energy, maintenance costs lower in Pasco schools
The Florida Department of Education recently released a  2017-2018 cost comparison for energy and maintenance/operations costs among school districts. Based on that report, Pasco County Schools spent $8.3 million less than the state average.

Some of the reasons that the district’s costs are lower include setting thermostats at 76 degrees and controlling the air systems from a central location, and having fewer employees per square foot than average, according to a school district news release.

Hispanic entrepreneurs fare well
The growth rate for Latino firms has been two to three times the national average according to the website WalletHub. The website compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 24 key metrics, and found that Tampa ranked seventh among the top 20 cities.

WOW-Too (WOW of Trinity and Odessa)
WOW-Too started as Women of Wesley Chapel and was so popular that it expanded into Trinity and Odessa. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Express Trinity, 2125 Corporate Center Drive in Trinity.

Chamber scholarships
The North Tampa Bay Chamber’s scholarship fund makes awards to local students, and this year the program will provide scholarships to students graduating from Cypress Creek, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch, Freedom and Wharton high schools.

The chamber’s goal is to present 20 scholarships, each in the amount of $500. It is still seeking sponsors for the program. Each sponsorship is $650.

The chamber has partnered with the career counselors at each campus where students apply by completing an application, including a short essay.

Sponsors have an opportunity to present a ceremonial check to the recipient.
Remaining event dates are Wiregrass Ranch, May 23 at 6 p.m.; and, Cypress Creek, May 28 at 9 a.m.

If you have additional questions regarding the program, email .

Paula O’ Neil to speak
Paula O’ Neil, the clerk and comptroller for Pasco County, will be the featured speaker at the KNOW (Knowledgeable Network of Women)  meeting, set for May 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be at Rosecastle of Zephyrhills, 37411 Eiland Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Call (813) 782-1913, or email to RSVP. KNOW is a personal and professional development program for business women in the Greater Zephyrhills region.