The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Will Pasco get enforcement cameras in school speed zones?

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey thinks the county should consider installing cameras to catch speeders in school speed zones.

She raised the issue during the Pasco County Commission’s Feb. 6 meeting.

She noted the state Legislature has authorized the use of cameras in school speed zones and Hillsborough County recently passed an ordinance to do just that.

She thinks Pasco should consider doing the same.

(Stock photo)

“I don’t want them all around the county, like they have them in New Port Richey and other places,” Starkey said.

But she told her board colleagues she’d like to have a discussion of whether the county should use enforcement cameras in its school speed zones.

“People frequently zoom in those areas,” she said. “They go fast.”

The cameras use the same kind of technology as is used at red lights, she said, but they go in school zones, instead.

“I think protecting kids, in school zones, is a good thing, personally,” Starkey said.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley responded: “Yeah, we all agree on that.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano said he met with the same people as Starkey met with, including some who used to work in law enforcement.

“I did want to have them talk to the school board, and study the issue, and see what their thoughts are,” Mariano said.

Mariano wants more information about the extent of the problem before the county makes any decisions on the issue.

“I tell you, these red-light cameras in Port Richey and New Port Richey, they were supposed to get rid of them a few years ago, and they’re making too much money and they’re not going to make that move,” Mariano said.

On the other hand, Mariano added: “I do believe in safety, as well.”

He voiced concerns that if the revenue becomes too attractive, the county might become reluctant to pull the cameras, whether or not they’re effective.

Starkey responded: “I just know that it works to slow people down in school zones.

“I’d be happy if we never got  a penny from it, if it just worked to keep people from speeding.”

On another issue, Starkey thinks the county should consider banning the location of “vape shops” near schools.

Hillsborough County has passed an ordinance on this issue, too, she said.

“Maybe we can have staff look at that Hillsborough ordinance,” Starkey said.

Published February 14, 2024

Ag shows, entertainment, fried foods and fun

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Even before the 77th annual Pasco County Fair gets rolling — there’s a championship rodeo at the Pasco County Fairgrounds on Feb. 16 and Feb. 17.

The first day of the fair kicks off with the fair parade — with the theme “Buckets of Fun for Everyone.”

Fair-goers looking to grab a bite at the 2024 Pasco County Fair will have ample choices, including corn dogs, pizza, grilled cheese, Italian sausage sandwiches, corn-on-the-cob, turkey legs, hamburgers, cotton candy, funnel cakes and more. This is a look at food offerings during a previous fair. (File)

That’s set to begin at 11:30 a.m., on Feb. 19, in downtown Dade City.

The fair, held at the fairgrounds, at 36722 County Road 52, will run Feb. 19 through Feb. 25.

There are so many choices at the fair, it’s a good idea to check out its website ahead of time, to give yourself the best chance to take advantage of what it has to offer.

Of course, there are the typical agricultural shows and competitions including beef, dairy, poultry, rabbit and swine.

There’s a plant contest, too, and competitions involving the FFA (Future Farmers of America) and 4H.

Other competitions include home arts, community exhibits, the Pasco Showcase of Talent and the karaoke contest.

Take a ride on a Ferris wheel to get an excellent vantage point of what’s happening on the ground at the Pasco County Fair.

If you want to grab a bite to eat, the fair will have plenty of options, including corn dogs, pizza, grilled cheese, turkey legs and Italian sausage sandwiches. There’s a wide range of sweets, too, including fried Oreos, cotton candy and funnel cakes, to name a few.

The fair also features dozens of rides, some with names like The Hurricane, The Beast and Cliff Hanger, which sound perfect for thrill seekers; and others, which are milder, and are geared toward tiny tots.

There’s a long list of entertainment options, including a Legends in Revue Night, on Feb. 20; a Bluegrass Night on Feb. 21; and a Gospel Night, on Feb. 22 — with performances beginning each evening at 6 p.m.

Plus, there are all sorts of other acts, including Mad Chad, the chainsaw juggler; the Strong & Amazing Ariel Stunt Show featuring Laura J.; magician and illusionist Jay Mattioli; Lew-E’s Comedy Circus, Robinson’s Racing Pigs; Hot Glass, a glass-blowing demonstration; Doc Magic Balloons; and Crazy Boy Coy, a comedic fire eater.

The Pasco County Fair got its start in 1947 when a group of businessmen decided to start a fair to showcase the county’s resources. San Antonio rancher D.E. Cannon along with agriculture agent Jimmy Higgins and businessmen George Nickolas, Bob Williams and Joe Collure worked together on the project, according to the fair website.

The men found a 40-acre site off County Road 52 (formerly State Road 52),  and raised $3,500 to purchase it.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Pasco County Fair
When: Feb. 19 through Feb. 25
Where: Pasco County Fairground, 36722 County Road 52, Dade City
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 6 to 12; free for those age 5 and under (Feb. 20 is carload night. The charge is $70 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., for a carload of up to six belted passengers, which includes admission and a ride wristband.)
Details: The fair will feature rides, food, entertainment and all sorts of competitions.  Info: PascoCountyFair.com

Published February 14, 2024

New projects proposed for Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of rezoning and land use changes proposed for potential projects in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

The planning board’s action was part of its consent agenda, meaning there was no board discussion and no public comment. Items on this agenda are approved in a single motion, unless someone on the board or at the meeting asked for an item to have a presentation.

On Jan. 18, the planning board recommended approval of:

  • A request by Tibbetts Land at Gowers Corner to change a currently zoned master-planned unit development (MPUD) to an MPUD to allow for 300,000 square feet of retail and office, and up to 400 multifamily apartments on approximately 49 acres at the southwest corner of the intersection of State Road 52 and U.S. 41. The applicant has agreed to dedicate 10 units for affordable housing.
  • A request by EFH Holdings LLC/Elite Pavers to change zoning from agricultural and general commercial to general commercial, on the west side of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, approximately 1,500 feet north of Gator Lane on approximately 3.8 acres. The site consists of Elite Pavers of Tampa Bay. The applicant proposes to develop the property in conformance with general commercial uses, and the applicant has agreed to a deed restriction to limit the uses to commercial uses.
  • A request by The Corwyn at Wesley Hills MPUD to rezone agricultural land to an MPUD zoning district to allow a maximum of 350 multifamily units, 7,500 square feet of office and 7,500 square feet of commercial on approximately 24.4 acres. The project is located north of State Road 54 and west of Eiland Boulevard, in Wesley Chapel. The rezoning is a companion of a comprehensive plan amendment request to change the future land use designation on the property from six residential units per acre to MPUD.

Published February 14, 2024

Pasco County fires warning shots in battle over ‘Live Local’ exemptions

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Pasco County’s legal team has sent letters to representatives of two apartment developments that the county intends to sue them, if the apartment complexes seek to invoke tax exemptions authorized through the state’s Live Local Act.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, sent letters dated Feb. 7 to representatives of Passco Cypress Creek DST and to Trinity Odessa Apartments LLC.

In the letter, Goldstein advises the representatives that the county is aware that each entity has filed an application with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for a certification notice, which is a preliminary step in applying for a property tax exemption under the Live Local Act.

Goldstein also tells the representatives that Pasco County views the Live Local Act as being unconstitutional. He warns the apartment representatives that if they seek to invoke the exemption permitted under Live Local, the county will take them to court.

Goldstein’s letter contends the Live Local Act is unconstitutional because it grants a tax exemption to entities “that are not charitable organizations” and “that are not engaging in any act of charity.”

The county also argues that the Live Local Act “effectively authorizes the expenditure of public ad valorem revenues for a private purpose.”

Plus, the letter argues the exemption “unconstitutionally impairs Pasco County’s contractual obligations to repay its general obligation bonds.”

In addition to the constitutional issues, the letter points out that the exemption will jeopardize the county’s ability to provide essential public services.

Each letter essentially says the same thing, but in the case of Passco Cypress Creek, it notes that the rent of $2,047.50 for a two-bedroom apartment is not affordable for a sheriff’s deputy, firefighter or school teacher. 

Goldstein makes the same argument relating to Trinity Odessa Apartments LLC, but in that instance, the attorney says the rent for a two-bedroom apartment of $2,025 is not affordable for a sheriff’s deputy, firefighter or school teacher.

In each letter, Goldstein advises the representatives that the Pasco County Commission has authorized its legal team “to file a declaratory judgment against any entity seeking to invoke the Live Local Property Tax Exemption.”

In each letter, Goldstein adds: “To avoid the time and expense of litigating the Live Local Property Tax Exemption with Pasco County, and to avoid the negative impact on essential public services, we strongly urge you to withdraw (or not file) an application for the Live Local Property Tax Exemption.”

Goldstein also attached a complaint for declaratory judgment and supplemental injunctive relief to each letter.

He told the representatives that if they pursue tax exemption, the county will immediately file the attached documents for legal action.

Goldstein’s letters are just the latest effort in the county’s battle to fight potential impacts from the Live Local Act.

Elected leaders have been ringing alarm bells about the potentially dire consequences the tax exemptions could have on county revenues.

The Live Local Act, adopted by the Legislature last year, aims to increase workforce housing across the state by allowing the conversion of land zoned for commercial, industrial or mixed uses into multifamily developments — provided the project serves people who meet income criteria.

The law also preempts local government from blocking the developments and it allows a tax exemption for newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated developments that meet criteria for setting aside units for households earning 120% of Area Median Income (AMI).

The law’s intent was to make housing affordable to enable workers to live and work in the same community.

In Pasco’s case, 120% AMI means apartment developments charging market rate, or above market rate, could qualify for the exemption, elected leaders have said, during previous discussions of the issue.

They also have argued that the law undermines the county’s persistent attempts to bring more jobs to a county that has long played a bedroom community role for nearby jobs-rich counties.

Seven out of 10 members of Pasco’s workforce commute elsewhere for their jobs.

The Pasco County Commission has been focused on efforts to bring jobs closer to home for its residents through its policy decisions that protect industrial and commercial lands from being converted to residential uses.

Based on a calculation for the two apartment complexes that have applied to convert to Live Local, the county would lose about $38 million in lost tax revenues, Goldstein reported at a recent county board meeting. Plus, the attorney said, that could just be the tip of the iceberg, if other apartment complexes seek the exemption.

Other taxing bodies, such as the school board, would also feel the impacts.

The issue came up at the Pasco County School Board’s Feb. 6 meeting, when board member Alison Crumbley briefed her colleagues on the issue.

She likened the potential negative financial impacts to a “tsunami.”

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for school support services, said the school district is pursuing possible changes to lessen potential effects on district revenues.

Published February 14, 2024

Colton ‘The Bolt’ Bettis wants to race his way into Nascar

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For just about as long as he can remember, Colton “The Bolt” Bettis has been racing toward a dream.

He wants to be a Nascar driver.

Colton ‘The Bolt’ Bettis stands near a display bearing photos of his racing activity, his name, nickname and number. (Courtesy of Amber Carreno)

This is not some fleeting fancy.

He’s been working for years to make it happen.

Colton has raced go-karts, super mini late models, sprint cars wing and non-wing, super late models and USAC midgets, and has traveled all over Florida and to Indiana, South Carolina and Georgia for competitions.

He was named the 2023 BG Southern Sprint Car Series Rookie of the Year, making him the youngest recipient of the award.

He already has two big wins under his belt, one at Auburndale Speedway on Jan. 27 and another at Showtime Speedway on Feb. 2.

Oh, and he’s just 14.

Colton ‘The Bolt’ Bettis is focused during a race at Showtime Speedway, in Pinellas Park.

When he’s not racing sprint cars, he’s an eighth-grader at Maniscalco K-8, in Lutz —  playing every sport offered by the school. He also enjoys fishing and sharing his knowledge of racing in talks given during Great American Teach-In events.

Racing, though, is his true love.

He said it’s hard to put into words how he feels, when he’s competing.

“Before I go on the racetrack, I get butterflies in my stomach. And then once the motor fires up, it’s just straight adrenaline. It’s time to go. It’s time to work,” Colton said.

His mom, Amber, said it’s natural to worry about the possibility of a crash.

But she added: “We don’t think negative like that. He knows the risks. He’s aware of the risk.”

Colton ‘The Bolt’ Bettis maneuvers through a curve during a race at Showtime Speedway, in Pinellas Park.

She went on: “I feel you’re never too young to chase your dreams. He has a talent, that I feel, is one in a million,” Amber said.

You might say that racing runs in Colton’s family.

Colton began racing go-karts when he was just 4, learning on a dirt track on the family’s property, under the tutelage of his grandfather, Tony Carreno, who was an accomplished driver in his day.

Amber, too, has spent much of her life around races, first, accompanying her dad, and now, cheering on Colton.

Colton ‘The Bolt’ Bettis wins the Dave Steele Winged Spring second feature at Showtime Speedway on Feb. 2.

Colton’s nickname, “The Bolt,” dates back to when he was a little kid — because whenever he was in the back of a race, he would bolt to the front.

He wears No. 61 because that was his grandfather’s number, and he wants to honor the man who has played such an instrumental role in his racing life.

He may be young, but Colton’s an experienced driver.

“He started racing when he was 4 and he’s never missed a weekend since,” Amber said.

And, at the racetrack, skill and experience are more important than age.

“I race against grown men, from their 20s and 30s, to 50s and 60s,” said Colton, whose success is evident in the massive collection of awards and trophies he’s acquired through the years.

Colton ‘The Bolt’ Bettis has amassed quite a collection of trophies and awards during his decade of racing. He began at age 4, racing go-karts.

If there’s anything that people can learn from Colton’s story, Amber said, it’s to encourage people to pursue their dreams, regardless of their age.

“If you continue to pursue (them) and let your talent speak for itself … doors can open for you,” Amber said.

Besides racing, Colton enjoys sharing his knowledge with others — which is why he especially enjoys giving talks at the Great American Teach-In.

Kids want to know how fast the cars go and how much it costs to be involved in racing.

He tells them on normal tracks, cars typically run at around 100 mph, while on bigger tracks, the speeds generally range from 140 mph to 150 mph.

Also, it typically costs about $3,000 to $5,000 a race — so even if he wins prize money, it may not be enough to cover the costs, he said.

That’s where sponsors come in, and in his case, he said his sponsor is his grandfather.

Besides being grateful for his grandfather’s generosity — financially and otherwise — Colton appreciates his race crew.

“They do it out of the kindness of their hearts,” Colton said. “They’ve done it since go-karts.”

Published February 14, 2024

Business Digest 02/14/2024

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Martin Frame has been promoted to regional land director for the southeastern region of David Weekley Homes. (Courtesy of David Weekley Homes)

New regional land director
Martin Frame has been promoted to regional director of land for the southeastern region for David Weekley Homes, according to a news release.

The company is one of the nation’s largest privately held homebuilders.

Frame joined the David Weekley Homes Tampa division in 2015 as a land acquisition manager, the release says. He is credited with being instrumental in the growth of the market share for the Tampa and Sarasota metropolitan statistical areas.

In his new role as regional director of land, Frame will partner with medium and large projects throughout the Charleston, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa areas.

“I’m passionate about helping our company grow and look forward to finding more opportunities to build new communities,” Frame said, in the release. “I’m excited to provide even more award-winning homes to buyers.”

Showcase of opportunities
The construction of Orlando Health Hospital in Wesley Chapel is creating new opportunities for local businesses. The North Tampa Bay Chamber, Turner Construction, trade partners and community leaders are planning a day of networking, procurement opportunities and an informational panel.

The event will be on Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Porter Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The event will include a tabletop expo and trade partner networking, lunch and a panel discussion with community partners.

Cost is $25, which includes lunch. Visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com for more information.

International Tourism & Trade Day
Registration is open for Pasco County International Tourism & Trade Day. The event will bring together Pasco County business leaders, international resource partners and exporters. It offers opportunities to learn about resources available to help Pasco businesses expand their business through exporting. 

There will be a panel discussion featuring Pasco County businesses who have participated in trade missions and with resource partners who made that possible. There also will be opportunities to meet resource partners to assist with international business development, and information will be shared about an upcoming trade mission to Canada.

The event is set for Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Florida Avenue Brewing Company, 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, in Wesley Chapel. Seating is limited and a complimentary lunch will be provided.

For more information, reach out to .

GROW Pasco
Take advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide array of business topics at Grow Pasco, which is set for March 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Saint Leo University Wellness Center, 12338 Priory Circle, in San Antonio. Grow Pasco features 15 breakout sessions, led by some of the best business minds in the area. Go to the Pasco Economic Development Council’s website, PascoEDC.com, to find out more about the topics, the speakers and how to register. 

Pasco/Hernando SCORE Mentoring
Pasco Hernando SCORE offers free confidential small business mentoring. Volunteer business experts will provide free assistance to small business owners to help solve their problems and grow their business. To request a mentor, visit SCORE.org/pascohernando .

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group invites speakers in on a variety of topics and gives people a chance to do some networking of their own. The group’s meeting begins at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP in Dade City, 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City. Here is its list of upcoming speakers:

March 12:  Melonie Monson, past executive director/CEO of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and mayor of Zephyrhills; Randy Stover, provost dean emeritus of Pasco-Hernando State College; Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County Commission, District 3

April 9:  Dr. John Legg, candidate for Pasco County Schools Superintendent; Christopher and Tammi Dester, director and founder of the Academy of Spectrum Diversity

May 14: Madonna Wise, retired educator and author

June 11: Peter Castellani, founder and director of Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers; Amy Yarborough, director of the Pregnancy Care Center; Dr. Chris Dunning, candidate for Pasco County Schools Superintendent

July 9: Mike Fasano, Pasco County tax collector; Vicki Wiggins, CEO, the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce

Aug. 13: Bill Cronin, president and CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council

Sept. 10: Brian Corley, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections

Oct. 8:  Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller

Nov. 12: Todd Vande Berg, planning director of the City of Zephyrhills

Contact Nils R. Lenz at 813-782-9491 or , or any of the board members for suggested topics that you would like to hear about or to suggest specific speakers. If you would like to speak, contact the networking group now to schedule a time during the group’s meetings.

Published February 14, 2024

 

Will a new tax help pay for Pasco’s parks and recreation?

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As Pasco County’s elected board considers next year’s budget, there is talk of a possible new tax that would pay to expand park and recreational opportunities.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey floated the idea of creating a Parks Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) during the board’s Jan. 18 strategic plan and budget workshop.

“I have always been an advocate for a Parks MSTU because we are so far behind,” Starkey said, reiterating a suggestion she has made before.

Providing more trails is part of Pasco County’s big-picture vision for enhancing the quality of life for its residents, and providing more connections between places. (File)

“An example of that is we have a new charter Little League in Starkey Ranch with no fields. They were warned there weren’t any fields, but District 12 went ahead and chartered them anyway. They’re supposed to be playing at Bexley, at the new Little League Complex that we don’t have the money to build yet in Bexley.

“We’re still way behind in sports fields for our youth. I also think that parks are important for people my age, too. Just nice outdoor places to go.

“We have the opportunity to have wonderful places. We don’t have the money to make them wonderful.,” Starkey said.

The county board member said she’s not suggesting the creation of a big-dollar MSTU, but noted establishing an MSTU would provide a reliable source of revenues for parks.

The county has impact fees to address additional parks and recreation needs caused by new growth, but those fees cannot be used to address a backlog of needs and cannot be bonded.

The Parks MSTU would enable the county to do more sooner, Starkey said.

Pasco is pursuing a new Residential Local Road Municipal Services Taxing Unit, which will provide a steady source of funding for residential road projects. It is expected to be listed on property tax bills that will be mailed in November.

The county board member also noted that the county was forced to use the money that was going to go for Magnolia Valley Park because another park project’s costs increased and the Magnolia Valley money was used for that.

“Now, we don’t have that money anymore,” Starkey said. “We had a great plan for Magnolia Valley.”

She also pointed to an opportunity for the county to establish a park in a part of Holiday that has never had a park, and it even has a boat launch.

“I think it’s really, really important for that community. And, again, we’re restricted,” Starkey said.

Commissioner Seth Weightman said he’d like to see an analysis of how much general fund millage would decrease, if all of the general fund money being used for parks was shifted to an MSTU.

Doing that, Weightman said, “would give parks pretty much a guaranteed revenue source, even in tough times.”

As the county discusses the potential of a new MSTU for parks, it also is in the midst of pursuing the creation of a Residential Local Road MSTU.

The county board directed county staff last year to prepare to add a new Residential Local Road MSTU to property owner tax bills.

That tax will replace the Paving Assessment (PVAS) system that the county has used for decades.

Pasco County is discussing the possibility of a new Parks Municipal Services Taxing Unit. That source of funding would help address a shortage of playing fields, parks and recreational facilities.

Under PVAS, the owners of the majority of property along a street had to agree to an improvement and then file an application with the county to pursue it.

If the county board approved the application, the homeowners would be assessed on their tax bills over time to pay for it.

All of the homeowners on the street would have to pay, whether they favored the project or not.

The system pitted neighbors against neighbors, and in some cases, property owners would tell the county board that they simply couldn’t afford to pay the assessments.

The new Residential Local Road MSTU will appear on tax bills and will provide a source of revenue for local road projects, maintenance, and in limited cases, sidewalk projects.

The boundaries of the Residential Local Road MSTU includes all unincorporated areas of Pasco County, except for parcels that currently — or in the future —  

are subject to, or within the boundaries of, an Active PVAS; and, parcels within a Homeowners’ Association or Community Development District that maintains its private roads.

The county board also has granted property owners who have paid or are paying their PVAS assessments a two-year reprieve from the new assessment. They said some sort of reprieve is only fair, but they don’t want to make the tax break too long because they don’t want to cripple the system.

County staff is proceeding with preparing the new system to be ready in time for the tax bills going out in November.

Meanwhile, a determination will be made regarding who is listed on the final tax roll for the MSTU, and the county board will decide what the millage rate should be.

Published February 07, 2024

Putting a focus on global opportunities

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The Pasco County Economic Development Council is gearing up to celebrate international trade at its Growing Global event, which will feature experts in international trade and give local business owners insights about available resources to help them if they’d like to go global.

The event is set for Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Florida Avenue Brewing Company, 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, in Wesley Chapel.

Santander took over the old Super Target site on State Road 54. It had been vacant for four years. (File)

The lineup includes a panel discussion of international trends, experts and resource partners sharing their knowledge about what’s happening globally and how to expand business opportunities through exporting to other parts of the world.

Those attending will be able to hear from speakers from Canada and Mexico, Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) told members of the Pasco County Commission during their Jan. 23 meeting.

“We are looking at a large regional mission going into Canada later this year, So, it’s a good time for a kick-off,” Cronin said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano noted that Canada is Florida’s largest trading partner.

Cronin agreed: “They sure are. Not just trade, but foreign direct investment and home ownership.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey encouraged Cronin to put the word out to the county’s business partners to encourage them to attend the Growing Global event.

The 72.5-acre site (colored in red) is where Bauducco Foods plans to have a production facility in Zephyrhills.

Pasco has been ramping up its efforts to expand its international trade in recent years.

It scored a win late last year when Bauducco Foods, a Brazilian-based company, announced it would be investing $200 million in a new facility in Zephyrhills, with the intention of creating 600 new jobs in the coming decade.

The effort to attract the company involved Pasco County’s economic growth department, the Pasco EDC, the City of Zephyrhills, the state of Florida and others.

The facility will produce and distribute its baked items across the United States.

That’s just one example of Pasco attracting foreign investment.

Santander Consumer USA set up shop in a former Super Target store on State Road 54, near the Suncoast Parkway, which had been vacant for about four years.

Over time, it is expected to generate 875 jobs. Santander, which is investing $22 million in Pasco County, is owned by Banco Santander located in Spain.

But these are just two examples of international investment in Pasco. Some local businesses also have waded into the world of exporting their products to other countries.

Plus, Speros — Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco campus that’s now under construction — is expected to attract life science and research companies from around the world, as the internationally known cancer research center develops.

Speros is in the heart of an emerging community known as Angeline, which is west of U.S. 41 and south of State Road 52, in Central Pasco.

Those interested in finding out more about Growing Global can visit the Pasco EDC website at PascoEDC.com.

Published February 07, 2024

Pasco County taking another look at incentives offered to hotels

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey once again is suggesting that the county stop giving hotel developers a break, when it comes to mobility fees.

At a budget workshop on Jan. 16, Starkey told her colleagues that when the board previously changed its mobility fee schedule, she had recommended that the fee waiver be dropped for hotel rooms, but that didn’t happen.

With or without the tax break, Starkey said she believes hotels would continue to come to Pasco.

“I think we give a $5,000 discount per room for mobility fees for our hotels. That’s a lot of money to go toward road construction, that could be helping us build those roads,” she said.

Should hotels pay mobility impact fees? Pasco County has waived those fees in the past to encourage hotel development, but the county board now appears willing to take another look at the issue. Shown is Hyatt Place Hotel at the Cypress Creek Town Center, when it was under construction in Wesley Chapel. (File)

Pasco’s fee waiver is so attractive, she said, “People are coming in and building hotels and flipping them after they’re built. They can make a profit and I feel like they’re making a profit off of our mobility fees.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano appeared to be reluctant to eliminate the tax break. He thinks hotels play an important role in the county’s tourism economy.

Providing the mobility fee tax break, he said, “sends a great message: ‘We want you to come.”

But Starkey countered: “We need the roads, too, there’s a balance.”

The discussion arose, as board members considered how they can encourage development in places where they want it to go, but at the same time possibly cut back on incentives they’ve used to encourage growth.

County Administrator Mike Carballa asked the board if there are areas where they are currently providing incentives but may wish to go in a different direction.

“Do we still want to incentivize the larger stuff?

“Maybe we want to reserve the right for certain targets,” he said.

Carballa also noted: “There comes a time when your incentives are no longer needed.”

Both Starkey and Commissioner Seth Weightman said there may be areas in the county where incentives are helpful, but other areas where they are not needed.

Weightman put it this way: “The county is so unique. Is there a way we can keep the incentive in certain places and then we expire it elsewhere?”

Carballa responded: “I mean, you incentivize what you want to incentivize. It just becomes a business decision.

“We’ve got areas that maybe we don’t need to incentivize, maybe there are areas that we still need to continue to incentivize. Let us come back to you with some suggestions on that,” the county administrator said.

Published February 07, 2024

Pasco leaders exasperated by continued spread of cogongrass

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said Pasco needs to deal with invasive cogongrass before it becomes the kind of problem that the Everglades has with pythons.

“We don’t want our county to get inundated with cogongrass. We don’t,” Starkey said during a recent county board meeting.

“I’ve asked and asked to have a policy about development and cogongrass,” Starkey said, referring to a request she made during an October meeting last year.

“At the very least, we need to be identifying if cogongrass is on a property before they start clearing it,” she said.

She showed her colleagues a photo of cogongrass growing along Starkey Boulevard, in a Longleaf neighborhood.

She also talked about cogongrass popping up in an island on a newly built stretch of State Road 52.

Pasco County wants quicker results in dealing with invasive cogongrass, before it spreads into every neighborhood. (Stock Photo)

“It blew my mind,” she said. “The island is brand new. The grass coming up is cogongrass. So they put the fill in there, and brought the cogongrass in.

“There really needs to be a policy on how we protect ourselves from this,” Starkey said. Then she asked if the county had a policy, if it should be applied to regulations involving mass grading.

County Administrator Mike Carballa told Starkey the county is working on the issue.

Public works has an eradication plan, but that happens after the cogongrass has spread, Carballa said.

“That’s more expensive.,” Starkey said.

“I agree with you on that,” Carballa replied.

Brad Tippin, the county’s manager of development services said the county’s development, public works and natural resources teams are working on the issue.

Tippin noted: “We actually have started putting language in conditions of approval on projects that are going to be going to construction that for those invasive species they’re going to have to use the proper process to get rid of them.”

Starkey: “I’d like to add it now to say: ‘You have to identify if there’s cogongrass on your property and confer with someone on how you are going to properly deal with it’ — before it gets to every neighborhood.”

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley agreed.

“I think it’s something that we really need to take hold of, because if you don’t make it a point to get rid of it, it will never be gotten rid of and it will spread all over the county,” Oakley said.

“Let’s make sure that we get rid of it the right way,” the chairman added.

According to the University of Florida, cogongrass was planted in Florida during the 1930s and 1940s, as a potential forage crop and for stabilization purposes.

However, it was found to have little benefit as forage and was viewed as a potentially serious pest, and was placed on the noxious weed list.

The university reports that cogongrass has been spread by illegal plantings and unintentional transport in forage and in soil during roadway construction.

In a published report, the university says: “Allowing this plant to grow unchecked ensures its continued spread along roadways and into pastures, mining areas, forest land, parks and other recreation areas.”
Anyone having questions concerning the identification of cogongrass is advised to contact their local county Extension office.

Carballa said the county’s team is working on the cogongrass issue.

“Like any process, it takes a little bit of time for you to see it come out of the ground,” Carballa said.

But Carballa’s response didn’t satisfy Commissioner Seth Weightman.

“It’s been a solid year, when Commissioner Starkey and I brought this up, very early in the year,” Weightman said.

Starkey chimed in: “It’s been more than a year.”

Weightman added: “For 12 months to go by on something that’s a real problem – when I think this board, collectively, over a year ago said, ‘Hey, let’s get disciplined and address this problem,’ it’s not acceptable to me —  this timeline.”

Carballa responded: “I think we’ve been very disciplined in moving ahead on a lot of the advances that the board has asked over the last year, as well, to include cogongrass, and to include a number of other things in the development arena.

“We continue to make advances on the development services front, with how we handle and manage development in the county.

“I certainly share the impatience in wanting to push a lot of things forward. The team is not sitting on its hands. We are moving and advancing the board’s directives and it just takes a little time,” Carballa said.

Starkey suggested one way to potentially reduce the problem.

“What I was told is it’s (cogongrass) on the scrapers.

“Maybe we provide a place somewhere they can go and get washed down, if they’ve worked on a piece of land that has cogongrass on it,” Starkey said. “Because that’s one of the ways that it’s getting spread, it’s from the equipment.”

Published February 07, 2024