The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Remembering the victims of Sept. 11

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The president of the United School Employees of Pasco and the Pasco County School Board paused on Sept. 11, to remember the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the heroes who responded.

Don Peace, the union president, said: “I’m at a school board meeting on this, the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 of 2001.

“On that tragic day — Sept. 11, 2001 — we were notified mid-morning, at Gulf Middle School, of a tragedy unfolding across the northeast and at the Pentagon.

“We gathered in a locker room and watched the TV, in disbelief, as buildings crumbled and people were lost in the rubble.

“Even more alarming was the host of people jumping out of burning buildings, in an attempt to escape the horrendous fires.

“First responders — and I use that term collectively, “ Peace said, “as not all that ran to help those in turmoil were police, fire or health workers, but also average citizens, who saw a need and acted, without thought of personal safety.

“Heroes came in all shapes, sizes and walks of life.

“Lives were changed, many saved, because of the actions of those brave souls on that day.

“We are forever in debt to those who unselfishly thought of others first, putting themselves in peril to make a difference in other people’s lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families today, in remembrance of their service,” Peace said.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin shared her reflections on the tragedy of that day, too.

“It’s been 22 years since the horrific attack on our country. We will always remember the lives lost and the families whose loved ones never came home.

“The pain of losing loved ones continues forever.

“There are many heroes who made sacrifices that day. May we always remember and honor them — the Armed Forces, first responders and countless others whose act of service to save our people and defend our nation’s freedom, exemplified the strength of the American people.”

School board chairman Megan Harding paid tribute to the anniversary by requesting her colleagues and the public to devote a moment of silence “for those who have lost their lives and those who have lost loved ones, 22 years ago.”

Published September 20, 2023

Business Digest 09/20/2023

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A new coffee shop has opened in Lutz, serving up premium coffees with a kick, as well as assorted menu items and branded merchandise. (Courtesy of Jillian Bruckner)

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii opens in Lutz
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii has opened a franchise in Lutz, at 25195 State Road 54. The shop offers premium coffees with a kick, branded merchandise, and menu items inspired by the Hawaiian Islands, according to a news release. The Lutz location is owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Chris and Jillian Bruckner.

Local to the Tampa area since 2010, the Bruckners have been a part of Tampa’s booming economic growth, opening four gas stations and three Taco Bus franchises to serve the community, according to the release. The Bruckners signed a development agreement that will bring five locations to the Tampa area. The Lutz opening signifies Bad Ass Coffee’s debut in the Tampa area.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii – Lutz is open Monday through Sunday 5 a.m.to 10 p.m. For more information, call 813-949-2428, or visit https://locations.badasscoffee.com/list/fl/lutz/.

Pasco EDC annual award winners
The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) had its 34th Annual Awards celebration at  Pasco-Hernando State College’s Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC), at 8657 Old Pasco Road, on the evening of Sept. 8.

Here’s a look at the recipients and a condensed description of their contributions, which were detailed in a news release from the Pasco EDC:

  • Pasco Establishment Award: nfant Labs
    This company expanded its business into Pasco County in 2022, adding a 2,000-square-foot product assembly manufacturing location in Port Richey. The business is a medical device and digital health company that produces a product line that helps neonatal intensive care units determine how premature babies are feeding so they can learn to feed on their own, which enables them to go home sooner.
  • Economic Excellence Award (small category): Florida Avenue Brewing Company
    This company recently invested $900,000 in new equipment and increased its brewing capacity from 40,000 kegs to 70,000 kegs. It added eight jobs in manufacturing and sales, including a full-time lab manager, allowing them to run full testing on all products and to help smaller breweries with troubleshooting issues. The company also has expanded to the Destin area and is seeking to expand its presence overseas.
  • Economic Excellence Award (large category): Global Electronic Testing Services
    This company has experienced rapid growth during the past year and has invested $1.6 million in the purchase of an 8,600-square-foot facility in the West Pasco Industrial Park, as well as more than $3 million on automation equipment. It has hired more than 100 new employees. Since 2022, the company has added more than 209 new customers globally and increased its services by nine, bringing the total to 27. It has increased its aerospace and defense market from 10% to 60%. The company also has developed an AI Counterfeit Vision System (patent pending) to improve its efficiency and serve more customers at a quicker pace.
  • SMARTstart Entrepreneur of the Year: Alexis C. Bell and Paul Dunlop, Fraud Doctor
    This company provides robust anti-fraud solutions, helping to safeguard businesses from fraud threats. Their services play an integral role in creating a transparent and fair business environment. Bell and Dunlop, who are the FinTech’s founders, joined SMARTstart in August of 2021 and are based at the SMARTstart at the Grove Entrepreneur Center in Wesley Chapel. They are active in entrepreneur roundtables as well as classes and workshops. Fraud Doctor launched its new Šóta Signal Analytics product less than two years later at the Synapse Summit at Amalie Arena in early 2023.
  • Special Recognition: AmSkills
    This nonprofit provides hands-on training for high-demand trade skills that are helping to shape the future of American manufacturing. AmSkills’ programs are instrumental in bridging the skills gap and ensuring a well-equipped workforce for the industries of tomorrow. The nonprofit’s staff grew from five employees to nine in 2022 and helped to launch more than 200 new careers into the local manufacturing industry. The organization recently has invested $1.3 million for 4.5 acres and $2.2 million in a 13,600-square-foot facility in Holiday, and an additional $1.3 million dollars in Advanced Manufacturing Training Equipment for Mechatronics, Robotics, Machining, 3D Printing, Laser and Metal Fabrication.
  • Leadership Award: Ray Gadd
    Ray Gadd has worked with Pasco County Schools for more than 30 years, serving as deputy superintendent since 2012. He has been involved in numerous education and human service organizations, including the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, the Pasco Planning Commission, the Pasco Pediatric Foundation and several nonprofit organizations. He played a leading role in helping to pass the first Penny for Pasco Referendum in 2004, and has been heavily involved in numerous school district initiatives and partnerships, including the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, Starkey Ranch K-8, Angeline Academy of Innovation, PHSC’s Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC) and others.

An estimated 400 local professionals and leaders attended the event.

Business Celebrations
These business celebrations were recently held or will be held soon, based on news releases sent to The Laker/Lutz News, or postings on various organization websites:

  • Euphoric Ink Studio, 2107 Mariner Blvd., in Spring Hill, will host a grand opening on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m., with food, games, raffles and giveaways, and music by DJ Kue. For more information, visit the tattoo studio on Facebook. 
  • Esthetics813 had its grand opening celebrations on Sept. 15, Sept. 16 and Sept. 17 at its second location, at 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.
  • Subaru of Wesley Chapel had its grand opening on Sept. 7, at 26570 Silver Maple Parkway in Wesley Chapel.
  • Disruptive Marketing Headquarters hosted its grand opening on Aug. 24, at 9502 N. Florida Ave., Suite B, in Tampa.
  • Brightway Insurance had a ribbon-cutting on Aug. 21, at 2470 State Road 54 in Lutz.
  • Precious Paws Animal Hospital had a grand opening on Aug. 16, at 326 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa.

Pasco EDC welcomes Don Anderson
Don Anderson has joined the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart team and will manage the new West Pasco Entrepreneur Center in Holiday.

Pasco wants to do more to encourage hurricane evacuations

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As Hurricane Idalia made its approach toward Florida, Pasco County officials ordered residents in coastal areas, flood-prone areas and mobile homes to evacuate.

They also urged residents in other potentially dangerous areas to evacuate voluntarily.

(File)

As it turned out, many residents ignored the county’s orders and requests.

The Pasco County Commission is now exploring what more the county can do.

“I’m concerned about the amount of people who did not evacuate. You know, we were lucky that we didn’t have loss of life,” Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said, during the county board’s Sept. 5 meeting.

“If this had turned just a little bit, it could have been far more serious. And, once again, we have people who don’t evacuate and our first responders have to go out. It’s dangerous for them.”

Pasco County Commissioner Chairman Jack Mariano wants the county to look into shutting off water and electricity in Hurricane Evacuation Zone A when a future hurricane threatens. That action, he said, would encourage residents to leave those areas and also would protect first responders who are forced to go into those areas to rescue people.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano agreed: “The evacuations, that’s something we definitely need to address.

“If this storm had hit us at 7 to 9 feet (storm surge), as originally projected, we would have just seen devastation everywhere,” Mariano said.

Starkey asked if the county can increase its messaging.

County Administrator Mike Carballa responded: “We continue to message. We continue to push out through the various platforms.

“I don’t think what you saw here in Pasco was necessarily an anomaly to anywhere else in the state of Florida. People tend to think that it won’t happen.

“I think, when you saw a lot of the water rescues that were going on in the early morning hours, after the storm had passed to the north, I think that water started to come in and you had a lot of scared people.

“I think Chief Perez (Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief Tony Perez) told me the number was upwards of over 150 folks that decided that was the time they needed to evacuate. I am glad we got them out, got them to safety. But to your point, had that storm wobbled, like we see a lot of storms wobble to that right, it could have been collecting fatalities, which we don’t want to do.”

Starkey said she was disturbed by the fact that many rescues involved elderly people, whom, she noted, “wouldn’t have had a prayer to be able to swim out.”

Mariano said he understands that some people had the mistaken notion that the projected storm surge would be just a foot high and they figured they could handle that.

He’d like the county to take an aggressive stance in the county’s Evacuation Zone A, which is the area of highest risk.

He advocates turning off the water and electricity in that zone, when a hurricane is threatening.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wants the county to ramp up efforts to persuade residents living in evacuation zones to leave their homes when a hurricane threatens. She said that despite damage in some areas, Pasco County was very lucky to emerge from Hurricane Idalia with no lives lost.

If that can be done, he said, “that’s going to increase dramatically the number of people who want to evacuate, or have to evacuate.”

Mariano suggests turning off the water and power for about eight hours, so people could evacuate to a safer place and then return once the storm passes.

Starkey suggested looking into whether the county can employ the types of signs that the Florida Department of Transportation uses to issue amber alerts and the county uses to alert motorists to road projects.

The county administrator said he wants to meet with the county’s team and emergency officials to get after-action reports before bringing recommendations back to the board.

Overall, “the county’s emergency response went very well,” Carballa said.

Pasco County has been declared a federal disaster area, which allows individuals eligible for compensation for damage, as well as providing assistance to county government, he said.

“FEMA is deployed now and they are setting up support throughout the county to support our citizens,” Carballa said.

“As far as the recovery goes, it’s ongoing. I did extend our local state of emergency and will probably continue to do that on a weekly basis until we’re done expending funds. It’s a necessary item, in order to receive reimbursement.

“To date, our solid waste and public works teams were out — collected over 400 tons of storm-related debris, thus far. We have waived tipping fees through Sept. 11 to help our citizens who are cleaning things out and trying to bring stuff in,” he said.

“Our building construction services, right, folks need to rebuild, so we’re waiving fees for certain types of damage and getting folks back on their feet quicker.

“We’ve extended our service hours and actually have some exclusive hours — both at the end of the day, and over the weekends, for those specifically impacted by the storm. So, we can get their questions answered and get them on their way.

“(We’re) actually even looking so far as having team members in home improvement stores on weekends, too, to have them answer questions,” Carballa said.

He also noted that the county’s emergency management team has been deployed to Suwannee County, at its request for Pasco’s team to help in its response efforts.

Published September 13, 2023

County board faces heat for proposed tax increase

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For the past two years, the Pasco County Commission has faced pressure from first responders to improve funding for the county’s fire rescue services.

Last week, the heat was coming from a different direction.

During discussion of a proposed tax hike to support fire services, property owners urged the county board to find ways to trim costs, or tap into other sources of revenue, rather than asking taxpayers to pay more.

Some critics told the county board that it’s getting too expensive to live in Pasco and that they may be forced to move.

Firefighters have urged Pasco County officials to expand funding for emergency services. At the same time, taxpayers have made it known they think the county needs to find ways to reduce spending rather than raise taxes. (File)

The county has proposed increasing the millage for the county’s Fire Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) from its current rate of 1.8036 to 2.3 mills. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 worth of taxable value.

The increase would cost $49.64 a year for the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000.

The increase is intended primarily for salary increases, opening two fire stations, software upgrades, mental health, and more firefighters and equipment.

County Commissioner Seth Weightman told his colleagues he can support some of the proposed increase, but not all of it.

The commissioner expressed irritation at changing proposals regarding the Fire MSTU through the course of budget talks.

During initial discussions, no increase was proposed for the Fire MSTU, then it went to a five-year plan, and now, a 10-year plan, Weightman said.

“You keep moving the goal line every time we have these budget talks,” Weightman told County Administrator Mike Carballa.

“These are big jumps.”

Weightman said people are feeling pressured by higher property and vehicle insurance premiums and other inflationary impacts.

Taxpayers are objecting, he added.

“In my office, every day the calls are going in. People are nervous about what these increases are going to look like,” he said.

Property owners also gave the county board an earful during the first public hearing on the budget, held Sept. 5.

One East Pasco man told the county board: “I’m here to protest the budget increase. I represent myself, my neighbors and my fellow citizens in Crystal Springs, and to let you know that we know exactly what you are doing. You’re not fooling anyone.

“It’s bad enough I have to pay $3,000 a year, which isn’t bad compared to him, for a mobile home that I own outright on my own land, that I own outright, without you coming to me and saying, ‘That’s not enough. We need 25% more.”

He wasn’t buying the county’s reasoning that it needs more money because of the effects inflation is having on the government’s ability to pay for needed infrastructure and services.

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman said he’s sensitive to the effects that higher property tax insurance, higher car insurance and overall inflation is having on county residents. He supports raising the millage level for the county’s fire services, but not to the degree that’s been proposed.

“You’re going to lecture us about inflation. You know what we’re expected to do when inflation hits us? Tighten our belts, cut costs and do more with less. That’s what we’re expected to do.

“Fifteen years of exponential growth going into the coffers of this county and you’re coming to us and you’re telling us, ‘It’s not enough. We need 25% more.’ It’s outrageous.

“You know what roads and schools and firehouses are? Impacts from overbuilt sprawl, of which you are the overseers of.”

The man suggested: “Double the impact fees, triple ‘em. That’ll stop the sprawl.

“You know what I expect you to do? Do more with less, tighten your belt and cut costs.”

He wasn’t the only speaker who told the board to look for solutions other than raising taxes.

One resident noted that owners of rental property pay higher taxes because their properties don’t qualify for homestead exemptions.

As they pay higher taxes, he said, they will have to pass along the tax hikes to their renters.

He said he doesn’t want to do that, but doesn’t have the option not to.

Another resident told board members that if the higher tax is adopted, he will do what he can to help Weightman retain his seat and whatever he can to make sure the other board members don’t.

One firefighter appeared before the board to speak on behalf of the higher tax rate: “I recognize that raising taxes is a big deal, and I recognize that people are having a tough time right now. But it occurs to me that had this millage rate been adjusted, even in the most modest amount five years ago, what a much better financial position we would be in now, and how much of that growth that’s come to this county, of people of wealth, of means from other areas that are buying these expensive homes, the portion they could have been paying into our tax rolls to build our fire department to what it should be.”

The speaker also noted that a comparison by Florida TaxWatch showed that Pasco County ranked 57th out of the state’s 67 counties, in terms of expenditures for public safety.

“That’s unbelievably low. It’s a testament to the work that the men and women of your fire department have been putting in for it to function as well as it has.”

Because of Pasco’s growth, the amount of spending per capita for fire department spending has been decreasing, the firefighter noted.

“It’s time to adjust the millage for the fire department to bring us to the area that we need to be,” the speaker said.

While opposition was apparent, commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Ron Oakley spoke in favor of the proposed increase.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said the county must hire more firefighters to address increased demands for services, as Pasco grows. It also needs to provide competitive pay or will lose its firefighters to other counties.

“We’ve always been known as a very conservative, and lower-cost alternative to the counties around us,” Starkey said. “I think when you’re a fast-growing county like we are, it puts pressures on everything.

“To have it take 18 minutes to have someone respond to a call, it’s not OK. That’s a life-and-death situation. The steps that we’re taking today are not getting us all of the way where we need to be, but again, we’re taking a conservative step forward.

“These are not frivolous things that we’re having to vote on,” Starkey said.

Oakley said voters previously approved a bond issue for additional fire personnel and more fire stations.

“If you gave this issue to the citizens, I would almost guarantee that they would pass it,” Oakley said.

Like Starkey, Oakley said the county must improve on its response times.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano also noted the taxpayer approval of the general obligation bonds to support fire services.

The county is attempting to provide the kind of services people want, Mariano said.

“The people have told us they want to live in a quality place,” Mariano said.

Carballa said he was persuaded to bring the proposed Fire MSTU to the board in May because the Fire MSTU was insolvent.

“In the red?” Starkey asked.

“In the red, correct,” Carballa replied.

The county administrator continued: “The county had gone eight years without an increase in that fund. The exponential rate of growth and the demand of services, the need to outfit new fire stations with firefighters and equipment. It’s simply at a point where it’s not sustainable,” he said.

The county also has a challenge retaining firefighters because other counties offer better pay, Carballa said.

“We lose firefighters to Hillsborough, City of Tampa. It’s highly, highly competitive,” the county administrator said.

At the same time, Pasco has increasing needs for service.

“We are the third busiest ambulatory agency in the state of Florida. And, our response times are suffering and we are playing a lot of catch-up, due to the growth,” Carballa said.

Carballa told the board that a shorter planning horizon would likely result in a lower millage rate request for the Fire MSTU.

Mariano encouraged him to look at a five-year plan, instead of one covering 10 years.

“We can present the board with options,” Carballa said.

The board’s final budget hearing is set for Sept. 19, at 5:15 p.m. in the boardroom at the Pasco County Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, in New Port Richey.

Published September 13, 2023

Pasco board approves $15.2 million for Wiregrass sports field project

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Construction is expected to begin on additional fields at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Camp as part of a $15.2 million project that is scheduled to be completed by fall 2024. (File)

The Pasco County Commission has approved a contract with Trias for slightly more than $15.2 million for phase two of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, in Wesley Chapel.

The specific not-to-exceed amount of the contract is for $15,211,150.

The county board voted 4-0 to approve the contract.

During a previous commission meeting, the board approved pursuing a loan for $12 million to cover costs associated with the project. The loan is expected to be repaid with Tourist Development Tax revenues, since the sports complex plays a key role in the county’s tourism efforts. There is a possibility that the county will find another source of funding, but for now, the board is proceeding with the contract to allow it to proceed on a project that’s already about three years overdue, according to previous board discussions.

The planned improvements include:

  • Five multipurpose sports fields, with lighting (plus lighting at two existing fields)
  • Parking for the area
  • A concession stand with restrooms
  • Three pavilions
  • A multi-use trail
  • A parking area for the pavilions, concession stand and trail
  • A roadway loop to take teams to the multipurpose fields
  • Stormwater ponds
  • Additional landscaping

Here’s how those costs break down:

  • Exterior improvements, including fill, curbs, fencing, parking, roads: $6.6 million
  • Building (three pavilions, one multipurpose restroom/concession): $1.7 million
  • Fields (turf surface, under-draining, root zoning): $4.6 million
  • Electrical (lighting, street lighting): $1.3 million
  • Landscaping and irrigation: $450,000
  • Contingency: $250,000

Construction is expected to begin this fall with completion expected in fall 2024, according to documents in the county board’s Sept. 5 agenda packet.

Published September 13, 2023

Pioneer Lutz woman leaves a permanent mark on her community

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During her lifetime, Elizabeth Riegler MacManus got a thrill from gathering old photographs and tracking down facts about the people, places and institutions in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

This poster captures the importance that citrus groves played in the development of Lutz and Central Pasco County. Elizabeth Riegler MacManus amassed a vast collection of historical artifacts and those are being shared through The Elizabeth Riegler MacManus Collection, which is being dedicated in a Sept. 20 ceremony at the Lutz Branch Library. (Courtesy of the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative)

Over decades, she amassed a huge collection of historical regional artifacts.

Her passion prompted her to write books, including two she co-authored, with her daughter Susan A. MacManus.

One, “Citrus, Sawmills, Critters & Crackers: Life in Early Lutz and Central Pasco County” was completed during Elizabeth’s lifetime.

She and Susan had wrapped up most of the legwork for the sequel, “Going, Going … Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories,” before Elizabeth died in  2008.

The books contain a treasure trove of photographs and recollections transcribed from oral histories that Elizabeth had collected.

Next week, much of the work amassed by Elizabeth during her lifetime will be shared through the dedication of The Elizabeth Riegler MacManus Collection.

A ceremony to unveil the collection has been set for Sept. 20 at 10:30 a.m., at the Lutz Branch Library, at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road.

The materials tell the personal stories of the people and industries that played a role in the evolution of the Central Pasco and northern Hillsborough communities.

The digital collection includes regional serial publications, photographs, a group of deeds and titles, pioneer reunion photographs and genealogical documents, hand-drawn maps and artifacts, according to materials relating to the upcoming event.

The library display includes items relating to the area’s orange groves, railroads and other elements that played a pivotal role in shaping the development of Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and nearby communities.

The dedication ceremony will include remarks by Jeffrey Huggins, the library’s community engagement manager; Dr. Gary Mormino, the Frank E. Duckwall Professor of History Emeritus from the University of South Florida; and by Elizabeth’s daughter, Susan, a retired USF professor of political science.

The collection has been made possible through a donation by the families of Dr. Susan MacManus, Dr. Lou MacManus and Dr. Cameron MacManus Jr.

Elizabeth Riegler MacManus Collection
What: Dedication of the The Elizabeth Riegler MacManus Collection, a compilation of historical materials about the families, businesses and culture documenting the pioneer life and history of Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and other areas of Hillsborough and Central Pasco counties.
When: Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road
Cost: Admission is free. It will include a look at the display, some remarks by speakers Jeffrey Huggins, and Dr. Gary Mormino and Dr. Susan A. MacManus, both retired professors from the University of South Florida. Refreshments will be served.

Published September 13, 2023

Price increases for new West Zephyrhills Elementary

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The Pasco County School Board approved an agreement with Wannamacher Jensen Architects Inc., in May, with the company’s initial fee based on an estimated cost of $39 million for a project to essentially replace the existing West Zephyrhills Elementary School, at 37900 14th Ave., in Zephyrhills, with a new facility.

But, according to background materials for the school board’s Aug. 22 meeting, “there have subsequently been changes that have resulted in an increase in both the scope of work and in the overall square footage of the new building.”

As a result, the agenda materials add: “This has increased both their design and construction administration work significantly since their original proposal, not least of which is the impact of the new building location and the additional civil services required, which has resulted in an increase to the overall construction budget.”

That new overall construction budget is $51 million.

The changes have led to an increase in the architect’s original fee of $1,006,805 to a new fee of $3,804,240, according to the agenda packet.

The school board approved the change, as part of its consent agenda, without discussion.

Published September 13, 2023

Pasco joins lawsuit regarding insulin pricing

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Pasco County is joining a lawsuit relating to the pricing of insulin, a life-saving medicine for the treatment of diabetes.

The Pasco County Commission approved an agenda item on Aug. 8 to join in insulin litigation, after the county was approached by the law firm of Magazine & Light Law Group, which is the local counsel to a team of lawyers, Levin, Papantonio, Rafferty et. al., Kozyak, Tropin & Throckmorton, Seeger Weiss and Baron & Budd.

The board’s Aug. 8 agenda item explains that “the price of insulin has skyrocketed over the last 20 years.”

The background materials also note that diabetes has become the seventh-leading cause of death in the country.

“The main premise of this litigation is that insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers have artificially inflated the price of insulin at the expense of self-funded health plans,  such as the one operated by the Board of County Commissioners for its employees,” the agenda materials say.

“A handful of manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), control the insulin market. Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly comprise 96% of the global insulin market by volume and 99% by value, Pharmacy Benefits Managers, Express Scripts, CVS Caremark and Optum RX control 89% of the PBM market,” the materials say.

Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder and Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa recommended the engagement of outside counsel to seek compensation “for the overpayment of costs” through the county’s health insurance program.

Under terms of the contract, the county will not pay outside counsel, unless there is a monetary recovery. If money is recovered, the county will pay costs and fees out of the recovery made.

Published September 13, 2023

Business Digest 09/13/2023

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TD Bank has opened a new store at 17751 N. Dale Mabry Highway, in Lutz. (Courtesy of TD Bank)

TD Bank grand opening
TD Bank recently celebrated the opening of a store in Lutz at 17751 N. Dale Mabry Highway.

As part of the celebration there was entertainment, a Kid Craft event, a photo station, prizes and food prepared by Executive Chef Matthew Lovell, who is owner of the catering business Chefonpoint.

Land O’ Lakes Brochure Exchange
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a networking event hosted by Judi Fisher of Architectural Signage & Printing on Sept. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at New Beginnings, 18935 Michigan Lane, which is one-fourth mile north of State Road 52, along U.S. 41.

The Land O’ Lakes Brochure Exchange is held on the second Thursday of each month.

Bring business cards to exchange with other businesses. A barbecue lunch is served by Hungry Harry’s. Admission is free plus the cost of food for chamber members, and $10 plus the cost of food for non-members.

If you are not a member but would like to attend, you may take advantage of a one-time free entry. Call 727-842-7651 or 813-909-2722 for more information.

Pasco County hiring fair
Pasco County government will host a hiring fair on Sept. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the county’s Internal Services Building, 7536 State St., in New Port Richey.

Managers will conduct on-the-spot interviews, so applicants should bring copies of their resume and put their best foot forward.

Openings include these positions: correctional officer trainees, firefighters, public works/equipment operators, 911 dispatchers, utility positions, engineers, GoPasco bus drivers, engineers, field inspectors, and parks, recreation and natural resources.

To find out more, visit MyPasco.net.

CareerSource hiring event
CareerSource Tampa Bay (CSTB) is partnering with multiple employers to host an in-person hiring event on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at CSTB’s location at 9215 N. Florida Ave., in Tampa.

Positions will be available from: the University of South Florida, Live Nation – MidFlorida, Integrity Staffing Solutions, Ashford Group & Associates, Prolink, Here We Grow Learning Center, Road Safe, Angels Unaware, MaxHealth, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Moffitt and more.

Pay for the positions typically ranges from $12 an hour to $40 an hour.

NTBC board nominations
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce is seeking new members for its Board of Directors. For fiscal year 2024, it has three positions available each for a three-year term.

The chamber is seeking representatives from specific sectors of the membership: real estate, retail and business and professional services.

The nominator and nominee must be a chamber member in good standing. Self-nominations encouraged.
Nominations are open until Oct. 1.

For more information, contact the chamber at ">.

Disaster unemployment assistance
FloridaCommerce has announced Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Idalia and who are not eligible for regular state or federal reemployment assistance benefits.

To find out more, visit FloridaJobs.org.

Business Celebrations
News of these business celebrations was shared by the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce:

  • Disruptive Marketing Headquarters had its grand opening on Aug. 24, at 9502 N. Florida Ave., Suite B, in Tampa.
  • Subaru of Wesley Chapel had its grand opening on Sept. 7, at 26570 Silver Maple Parkway in Wesley Chapel.
  • Esthetics813 will have its Grand opening celebrations on Sept. 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sept. 16 and Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at its second location, at 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.
  • Precious Paws Animal Hospital had its grand opening on Aug. 16 at 326 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa.

News of this business celebration was shared by the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce:

  • Brightway Insurance had its ribbon-cutting on Aug. 21, at 2470 State Road 54 in Lutz.

Pasco EDC welcomes Don Anderson
Don Anderson has joined the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart team and will manage the new West Pasco Entrepreneur Center in Holiday.

Pasco EDC microloan program
The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) has a microloan program that’s intended to help entrepreneurs secure loans for their businesses when they have been unable to secure traditional bank financing. To find out more, visit PascoEDC.com.

 

Idalia makes history in Florida’s Big Bend region

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Hurricane Idalia continued its path across Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, after making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane over Keaton Beach, in Florida’s Big Bend region.

Idalia rapidly intensified over the Gulf of Mexico’s warm waters, at one point registering as a Category 4 before it made landfall as a Category 3 and then quickly downgraded.

It hit Florida’s Big Bend area with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, according to national news reports.

Some businesses on Main Street in Zephyrhills boarded up their windows to prepare for the impact Hurricane Idalia made on the Tampa Bay area on Aug. 30. However, most of the storm’s forceful winds eluded inland Pasco County, and areas such as Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and Lutz avoided any sort of heavy damage or flooding. (Mike Camunas)

It then made its way across the state, moving to the Carolinas, before heading out to sea.

As Idalia continued its path out of the region, Tampa Bay began returning to normal.

Students returned to school, public buses began rolling again and garbage collection services resumed.

While not making a direct hit in Tampa Bay, Idalia’s storm surge caused flooding and disrupted life’s routine activities as the hurricane made its way through the Tampa Bay region.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Schools shut down. Local governments ceased regular services and focused efforts on emergency operations.

Hospitals moved patients.

People headed to shelters, or stayed with friends and family. Some residents filled sandbags and hunkered down, hoping to keep Idalia’s stormwaters from entering their homes.

Pasco County lifted its evacuation orders, as flooding subsided west of U.S. 19.

Damage in Pasco County from Hurricane Idalia on Aug. 30 was very minimal, including just a few downed, small branches in Land O’ Lakes neighborhood Lake Padgett Estates.

According to a county report issued last week, Pasco Fire Rescue carried out 85 rescue missions, saving at least 150 people, who ranged from 9 days to 90 years old.

GoPasco provided rides to shelters for about 180 people.

The county reported that 350 people had stayed in Pasco shelters, along with 170 pets.

By Aug. 31, the county had closed all of its shelters except for the Fasano Regional Hurricane Center in Hudson, which is open to special needs and displaced residents only.

Storm surge in some areas of Tampa Bay overtopped seawalls, and flooded streets and buildings, according to television news reports.

Tampa International Airport was temporarily closed, as were bay area bridges.

Assessments were still being made last week, to tally up the damage.

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news briefing on the morning of Aug. 31, noting that as of that time no deaths had been reported that were directly linked to the hurricane. 

“I think those officials in those really hard-hit counties, I think did a good job. I think citizens responded very appropriately,” he said.

Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, saw a steady flow of local residents come to fill sandbags in preparation for Hurricane Idalia hitting the Tampa Bay area.

DeSantis said officials would be touring through substantially damaged areas to get a better assessment of damage.

In his tours on the previous day, he said, he saw a massive amount of debris.

“You have a lot of trees in this part of the state. There were trees knocked down and they would knock down power lines. You did see structural damage to buildings. I saw roofs torn off of businesses. We saw other types of hurricane damage.

“Ian was different because where that hit.

“It came in basically at a Category 5 and it was in a much more populated area — more opportunity to have destruction.”

In Idalia’s case, the debris was in a less-populated, heavily wooded area, which is going to take a considerable effort to clean up.

Hundreds of thousands of Floridians lost power during Idalia, but the vast majority of customers had already had their electricity restored.

In some cases, it will take longer to restore the power because structural repairs must be made, DeSantis noted. “If it’s reconnected, we’re going to have the people there to get that done. If it’s rebuilt, there’s just more that goes into that.”

Kevin Guthrie, who leads the state’s disaster response efforts, also noted that some areas are sparsely populated, so there may be miles of power lines between individual customers.

Because of that, it will take longer to fully restore services, he said.

Guthrie also asked residents who are in cleanup mode to take precautions.

A familiar sight at a Publix during hurricane preparations, as the water aisle
at this Lutz-based store was completely bare less than 48 hours before Hurricane Idalia impacted the Tampa Bay area.

“Please make sure that when you are operating a chainsaw, you’re doing it safely. Please make sure that you’re wearing goggles, that you’re covering your head, protecting your head.

“If you do not know how to operate a chainsaw, do not do it.

“Do not get on ladders.

“It’s generator safety, it’s chainsaw safety, it’s ladder safety.

“Those are the three big things that end up causing people to have deaths in post-disaster impacts. All of those are avoidable deaths,” Guthrie said.

“Do not get on a ladder, on the top rung, with a chainsaw in one hand, trying to hang on with the other one to cut off a limb. That is not the way to do this, folks.

“Call in somebody to get that done,” he said.

“Generators need to be 20 feet away from all open windows and open doors — that includes your garage. Do not run generators in your garage. Get it away from your home,” he added.

“Volunteer organizations are your best bet in getting help on chainsaw operation, debris removal on your private property,” he said. He encouraged residents to reach out to the state’s emergency operations or to local emergency operations to get a list of disaster volunteer organizations who can help.

Guthrie also urged consumers to be on the lookout for scams involving unlicensed contractors.

Helpful information

Insurance claim pointers (Even if you didn’t have damage this time, this guidance might help in the future.)

  • Once it is safe to do so, assess your property, take pictures and contact your insurance provider immediately to begin the claims process.

Flooded vehicles

  • Flooding is often covered by “comprehensive auto insurance policies,” but since Floridians are not required to carry this type of coverage, some may not be protected.

When a car has been partially or totally submerged, AAA offers these pointers:

  • Do not attempt to start a vehicle, if the water level rose above the door opening and the interior of the car is wet. Doing so could cause major problems, if flood water is contaminated with engine oil or other vehicle fluids.
  • Take photos from the exterior of the vehicle. Do not open the doors, if the water levels are still high.
  • Once the waters have receded, take photos of the interior.

Avoid self-inflicted flood damage while driving:

  • Do not drive down flooded streets. You may not realize how deep it is or what lurks beneath.
  • If you drive through a flooded area with water above your doors and your engine cuts off, do not try to restart it. Doing so could flood the engine, causing severe damage. Evacuate the vehicle through the window, go to a safe location and get help.

Wind vs. Water damage to your home

Damage caused by wind and debris is covered by a resident’s homeowners insurance policy, but doesn’t cover flood damage. That is covered by a separate policy provided by the National Flood Insurance Program.

Homeowners without flood insurance can apply for federal disaster assistance via a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration, but those loans must be repaid.

If your home suffers damage

  • Document the damage as soon as possible. Take photographs and videos. The more documentation you have, the easier it is to file your claim.
  • Do what you can to prevent further damage. For instance, use plastic to cover broken windows or tarps on the roof to keep the rain out.
  • Document any out-of-pocket expenses for repairs and displacement, such as tree removal, tarps, ice chest, hotel costs and so on. These can count toward your deductible.
  • Be leery of contractors who go door-to-door offering services and offering to file a claim on your behalf.
  • Hire a contractor to make the repairs after an insurance adjuster has reviewed the damage.

If your home is destroyed or uninhabitable, find a safe place where your family can stay while repairs are made. The loss-of-use coverage in a standard homeowners insurance policy typically helps pay for your family’s lodging, as long as the damage is part of a covered claim. Check your policy or ask your insurance agent to make sure you have this coverage, to determine its monetary value and its time limits.

Published September 06, 2023