The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Pasco County Schools announces bell times for 2022-2023

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Pasco County Schools has announced its planned bell times for the coming year — as it continues struggling with a bus driver shortage.

In the school year that just wrapped up, the district changed its bell times at mid-year because it couldn’t attract enough drivers to cover all of its routes.

It was a massive shuffle, affecting schools across the district.

Some of the shifts were relatively minor, but there were 24 elementary schools that didn’t begin the school day until 10:10 a.m.

In the coming year, six elementary schools and two other schools will have that 10:10 a.m. start time.

At a May 17 school board meeting, the board adopted next year’s bell schedule.

They did so, after Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, recapped why the start and end times had to be shifted across the district in the 2021-2022 school year, which concluded last week.

“At the beginning of this school year, transportation had 420 routes,” Kuhn said. “As you are fully aware, we did make some significant changes for second semester, beginning second semester with 367 routes. At this point in time, we have 353,” Kuhn said.

Changes have been made for the coming year with the goal of creating the most efficient plan  possible, while ensuring that students can be transported to and from school safely. The district also made significant efforts to reduce the number of schools with 10:10 a.m. start times, she said.

“We went from 24 elementary schools to a proposal of six elementary schools and then two additional schools, East and West Pasco Education Academy, starting at that time.

“This proposal is certainly not perfect, but we believe it is a big improvement and will allow us to take the steps that we need to, to be as efficient as we can, given our driver shortage,” she said.

Kuhn also told board members: “It is important to note that even with this very efficient plan, we will be starting the school year down 22 drivers, if we have everyone currently employed with us, staying with us.

“We will be focusing efforts again and continuing on recruitment and, very importantly, retention this summer and throughout the next school year,” Kuhn said.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin also noted that the district will revisit the issue, should the district’s bus driver situation improve significantly.

Kuhn confirmed potential changes could occur, but noted that even if the district added a several drivers, they would need to be in the right area of the district in order for changes to work.

However, Kuhn said the district is open to making changes, if they are possible, and will bring a proposal forward if that happens.

Board Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong told Kuhn: “We know you’re working hard on that and we also know how important it is to our parents that we get it right, so we’re going to keep working on it and do the best we can.”

School board member Megan Harding said she understands “how frustrating this (10:10 a.m. start time) can be to our families, and our school teachers and staff.”

But Harding added: “It does come down to the number of buses. (Kuhn) did explain to me that determining which schools are in which tier — I thought she put this perfectly — is like a puzzle.”

The district needs to balance the number of buses evenly, so that it does not have more buses in one tier, compared to the other, Harding said. It also has to look across six bus garages.

“Additionally, even when the tiers are balanced, with the number of buses per tier, transportation staff has to look at the routes to make sure they fit together.

“Given our driver shortage, we have to be as efficient as possible, so students arrive to school on time and are picked up on time,” Harding continued.

Besides being short on regular drivers, the district also is short on relief drivers, Harding noted.

To find out the bell times for your school next year, visit the district’s website, Pasco.k12.fl.us.

Published June 01, 2022

Budget discussions begin in Pasco

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A Pasco County budget workshop provided a preliminary look at the upcoming fiscal year, but County Administrator Dan Biles told the county board he’s holding off on any recommended initiatives until he has more numbers.

“We do not have the preliminary assessed values yet from the property appraiser,” Biles told the county board at a May 24 workshop. So, he told the board, the workshop would focus on “trends and what it looks like going forward.”

Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director, told the board that the scenario the county is working with is based on the taxable assessed values increasing at a rate of 10.8%, the same rate as last year.

Goehig noted that’s “not a crazy assumption, given the amount of construction going on in the county.”

Based on the 10.8% rate, revenues would increase by about $27.2 million, of which 40% — or about $10.9 million — would be allocated to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the budget director said.

“After that, if we deduct the payments to the taxable increment finance trust fund and for the Community Redevelopment Agencies, that’s $3.63 million.

“That leaves $12.7 million or so for the board to spend on new initiatives,” the budget director said.

The county’s Fire Municipal Services Tax Unit is expected to yield 12.6% in additional revenues, which will provide $7.3 million in additional revenues for initiatives.

Goehig also outlined a number of fire rescue enhancements under consideration. They include:

  • Rescue 223 in Land O’ Lakes, at State Road 54 and U.S. 41
  • Rescue 226 in Wesley Chapel
  • Two peak-hour rescue units to reduce rescue response times
  • 25 additional full-time equivalent positions
  • New furniture and equipment for fire stations

The workshop also covered some proposed 2023 capital expenditures. Those include building renovations, information technology hardware and software, athletic field renovations, drainage improvements, park maintenance, and the renovation of the tax collector’s office at the West Pasco Government Center, among other things.

The county has received 140 business plan initiatives from department directors, but Biles said he won’t be making any recommendations on those until he has more information from the property appraiser’s office, which is expected June 1.

Biles said once that information is available, he will have individual sessions with board members to discuss potential budget items. If the board wants additional group discussion on the budget, time can be set aside at a June meeting, he said.

Goehig said there are some expenses the county must cover in fiscal year 2023.

For instance, the cost of fuel has gone up. Last year, the county budgeted it at $2.65 a gallon. This year, the county is budgeting it at $3.65 a gallon. It would budget more, but the county doesn’t pay taxes on fuel, Goehig said.

The county also is feeling the impacts of inflation, which is currently at about 8.5%, Goehig said.

“That is really hitting our departments that rely heavily on building, vehicles and IT (information technology). So, those costs continue to escalate,” the budget director said.

He also noted that the county has a compensation and classification study underway, which will result in recommended salary adjustments.

That state is increasing salaries by 5.38, Biles said.

“So, we kind of set that as a floor. We want to at least be equivalent to what the state gave state employees,” he said.

The county salary study is expected to be completed in mid-July.

That study will base adjustments based on what employees do and the market rate.

“I expect the average to be over 5.3, probably somewhere under 7,” Biles said, referring to expected percentages of wage increases.

The county also must cover increased costs for employee retirement contributions, Goehig said.

Some departments will be faced with rising costs.

For instance, Goehig expects Fire/Rescue to experience a 13.3% increase, largely because of fuel costs and equipment maintenance expenses.

Information technology is expected to face a 6.4% increase, due to increases in software contracts and inflationary impact on hardware, he said.

The county also is facing increased costs for outside spending, including an expected 7.5% increase for Medicaid, which is a state-imposed cost on the county, Goehig said.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey told her colleagues the county needs to find a way to increase funding for public safety.

“We all love Pasco County. It’s very inexpensive to live here. That comes at a price. And, at what point do we have a responsibility to fund fire and safety at a higher level. I just want you to think about that,” she told her colleagues.

The county board is expected to set to adopt the Truth in Millage tax rate at its July 12 meeting. This is the process used to inform property owners what the maximum ad valorem millage rate is that could be adopted by the board in September. The board cannot adopt a higher rate than the one it specifies in July, but it can reduce it.

Pasco County Budget
Preliminary budget recommendations from County Administrator Dan Biles, include:

  • No increase in the operating millage rate of 7.6076
  • No increase in the Fire Municipal Services Taxing Unit millage rate of 1.8036
  • No change to the stormwater assessment (The combined rate of that is about 2.7%)
  • Increased water and wastewater rates, in accordance with the four-year rate resolution

Published June 01, 2022

Pasco continues working toward shifting jail operations

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The Pasco County Commission has approved allocating $150,000 to help cover legal expenses connected to the county’s takeover of jail operations from Sheriff Chris Nocco.

The shift has been scheduled for Oct. 1, but discussion during the county board’s May 17 meeting made it clear that the takeover date could be subject to change.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder asked for the additional funds, in a memo, which was contained in the county board’s agenda packet.

In that memo, Steinsnyder asked to retain the firm of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A.

Pasco County is planning to take over operations of the county jail, as a county department. The scheduled date is Oct. 1, but that did not appear to be locked in, during discussions at a May 17 Pasco County Commission meeting. (Mike Camunas)

The county attorney also noted his office was not involved in the decision to shift the operations.

“I have subsequently briefed the board on the county’s options and my legal concerns with the county’s assumption of jail operations,” his memo says.

He noted the operating the jail as a county department likely will place additional burdens on his office, associated with drafting an interlocal agreement with the sheriff and other related legal documents, as well as addressing other legal questions and issues.

“The county attorney’s office does not currently have the resources to handle this additional

workload and cannot reallocate existing resources without adversely impacting other important

county projects,” the memo adds.

To help address those issues, Steinsnyder said his office has retained the Nabors law firm to draft the interlocal agreement and other related legal documents.

Nabors has estimated that cost at $60,000, but Steinsnyder said because the extent of the work is unknown, his office and the county’s office of internal services administration are recommending the $150,000 budget, to cover additional, unforeseen work.

Besides retaining Nabors, Steinsnyder recommends the board direct the county’s risk management department to solicit and obtain liability insurance for the county’s future operation of the jail, with the exact insurance types and amounts to be determine by risk management, in consultation with Steinsnyder’s office and outside counsel.

The county attorney also strongly recommended the board not rely solely on self-insurance or sovereign immunity limitations to address the potential financial consequences of jail-related claims, the memo says.

He also noted: “To the extent that miscellaneous jail-related legal questions cannot be handled by existing positions in the county attorney’s office, they will be addressed in a future budget request.”

While the county attorney’s office has secured additional help, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles told the board the final list of items to be included in a transition accounting is being determined, and once it is finalized, quotes will be sought from three external auditing firms to complete the work.

The board already has allocated $150,000 for that task.

Alvarez-Sowles told the board that a comprehensive list had been completed, but she said it is too lengthy to be completed on time, within budget.

So, it is in the process of being pared down.

“What we’re looking at is keeping the things on the list that are essential. What are non-essential, that can be done with the county and the jail working together,” the clerk said.

To complicate matters, County Administrator Dan Biles announced his resignation at the end of the same meeting. The effective date of his resignation is Sept. 30, but he has accrued personal time off, so his last working day will be July 31.

Pasco Commissioner Jack Mariano asked if the county has enough time, to be prepared to take over the jail operations on Oct. 1, especially in light of Biles’ departure.

Biles said that he always considered Oct. 1 to be very aggressive date for the shift.

Steinsnyder said that date is not mandatory, but that the board would have to negotiate the issue with the sheriff.

Published June 01, 2022

Mixed-use project approved in Connected City

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a mixed-use development made up of 525 residences and 106,285 square feet of office uses on 158 acres, in an area known as Connected City.

The site, which is currently vacant and used for agricultural purposes, is at the northeast corner of Elam and Kenton roads, about 6,600 feet east of Interstate 75.

The Connected City corridor consists of about 7,800 acres in a state-approved development district meant to foster residential communities and employment centers that are the wave of the future. Its borders are Interstate 75, State Road 52, and Curley and Overpass roads.

The area is meant to feature cutting-edge technology, including gigabit Internet speeds and innovation.

The rezoning had been recommended for approval, with conditions, by the Pasco County Planning Commission and county planners.

The approved residences are expected to consist of a mix of single-family detached, attached and/or multifamily, courtyard houses, row houses, townhouses and possibly garden-style apartments.

This particular area of Connected City is known as the Community Hub, which is intended to be used for projects that create a blend of employment and housing opportunities, according to Clarke Hobby, the attorney for the applicant.

That portion of the plan requires medium density standards of 3.25 residences per acre.

Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative owns 12.18 acres of the site.

Hobby noted that extensive efforts have been made to mitigate impacts on neighbors, including a series of private agreements relating to trees, landscaping and buffering.

Eight of the 10 neighbors signed letters of no objection.

Michael Pultorak, who lives on Kenton Road, expressed concerns about the potential for area flooding, if the water levels rise in King Lake.

Pultorak told the board that he’s pro-development and pro-responsible growth, but he is concerned about potential flooding in the area.

He said he realized that this particular project may not cause the potential flooding he’s concerned about, but said the next one could.

He asked the board to intervene to prevent that from happening.

Commissioner Mike Moore told Pultorak he would make sure that someone would be out to meet Pultorak for a closer look at the issue.

Board members voted 4-0 to grant the rezoning, with Commissioner Ron Oakley, absent.

Published June 01, 2022

Board is pushing for faster progress on emergency response times

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The Pasco County Commission is turning up the heat on its administration’s efforts to improve response times for the county’s emergency crews.

During a recent budget workshop, board members wanted to know why it isn’t possible to bring fire stations online quicker than is currently planned.

The questions surfaced during the board’s May 24 budget workshop.

The discussion came after repeated appearances at board meetings by members of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 4420, representing Pasco’s firefighters, who have complained that they aren’t able to respond to emergencies fast enough.

They said the delays pose a risk to Pasco residents, who need medical attention and to properties that are in danger of destruction.

During the budget discussion, Robert Goehig the county’s budget director, updated the county board on progress regarding fire stations being built through the general obligation bonds approved by voters.

Fire Station 17 is under construction at 2951 Seven Springs Blvd., in New Port Richey, and Fire Station 9 is being built in Land O’ Lakes.

Fire Station 3, which will be located in Beacon Woods, is expected to be put out for bid in the next few weeks, Goehig said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano wanted to know why more progress hadn’t already been made on Beacon Woods, given the fact the county has owned the property for several years.

Commissioner Mike Moore asked: “What can we do, when it comes to purchasing, to prioritize? I know obviously, when you’re moving something up, something else pops down.

“But we’re talking about public safety. Obviously, that should take priority.

“So, what can we do?”

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said the county attorney’s office prioritizes its legal work based on the county administrator’s priority list.

“Fire Station No. 3 is No. 4 on the current ranking,” Steinsnyder said.

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick responded: “It’s needed now. It’s imperative.”

County Administrator Dan Biles responded: “I want to remind the board that before we even took the bond to the voters in 2018, we outlined a phasing program for all nine fire stations.

“We phased the building so that when they come online, we have the funding to operate them.

“If you build them too early, you don’t have the funding to operate them,” Biles said.

“So, right now, (Stations) two and four, we don’t have the funds in ’23 to actually operate them, if they opened in ’23.”

He said the phasing was requested by the board, to ensure the county would have funding for operations.

“So, that’s what we’ve done,” Biles said.

Growth prompts need for faster action
Commissioner Mariano said the decision that was made at that time made sense.

“However, with the surge of growth that’s out there right now, with the extended times that people are taking to get service, I think it’s time we need to re-look at it, and make an adjustment.”

Mariano said he doesn’t understand why it would take so long for architectural work related to the buildings, since they can be essentially the same buildings.

Biles said each building has to be individually sited to make sure the footprint of the building fits on the site.

“You have to do the civil work and adapt it to the site, because every site is different. Every site has different site constraints, different access points. All of that stuff is different for every site,” Biles said.

Biles told the board a proposed “peak-hour rescue program” can be initiated to help reduce the response time for rescue calls.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey asked about the possibility of adding private rescue companies.

“If our dilemma right now is not having enough rescue, we can contract out, temporarily, until we have more of our own. It’s our same firefighters that are working for those companies that are manning that could be available, parked around the county that could help us.

“Right now, I think they just do transport, but I’ve been told they can do rescue,” she said.

Biles responded: “There are different classifications of transport and we allow the privates to do a certain level of that. We don’t allow them to do the initial emergency response.”

The county administrator said part of the problem stems from neighborhoods springing up in areas that are not close to fire stations. Another problem is that the county went a considerable number of years without adding any fire stations.

“We went over a decade without building a new fire station,” he said.

Meanwhile, “we added 100,000 people in Pasco County and we didn’t build a fire station.”

Biles noted that the corridors of U.S. 19, State Road 54 and U.S. 301 are where the peak-hour calls are happening.

The county has existing facilities in those corridors, Biles added. “So, it’s put the peak-hour rescue units in, the facilities that we have and let them be mobile.

“Every new fire station is going to help, but the issue right now is the peak call volume. So, the peak-hour rescue program that we’re already working to stand up, is the right way to attack it,” Biles said.

Commissioner Moore asked Steinsnyder if the county could pursue a Municipal Services Taxing Unit to attempt to force new growth to pay for itself.

Steinsnyder said he’s not aware of any government entity that has crafted that approach and he’s certain it would hold up, legally.

But the attorney did note that impact fees for capital fire projects have not been increased in numerous years.

Published 06/01/2022

Business Digest 06/01/2022

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Goodwill is hiring
Goodwill’s Job Connection service is hosting a hiring event on June 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Goodwill superstore, 2390 Willow Oak Drive, in Wesley Chapel.

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast Inc. is hiring store leads, sales associates and donations processing associates, for full-time and part-time positions.

Hiring managers will conduct interviews and make job offers on the spot. Job seekers are encouraged to bring copies of their resume and to complete an application in advance. A list of available positions and an application are available at Goodwill-suncoast.org/careers.

Goodwill offers a comprehensive benefits package including tuition assistance and a variety of programs to help team members advance their careers. Goodwill team members also enjoy the satisfaction of working for an organization that is changing people’s lives for the better.

Staff from Goodwill Job Connection centers will be available to offer interview tips and give information about a whole range of free services available at the centers.

If you have questions, please call Job Connection at 813-302-9405, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

New Dental Office
Rosalinda Aranda, a Doctor of Dental Medicine, has begun offering dental services to the community of San Antonio at her new office, Mirada Market Dental Care, according to a news release. Mirada Market Dental Care offers the opportunity for the most up-to-date procedures and services to their patients. From routine cleanings and simple fillings to more in-depth restorative and cosmetic services.

“We are excited to be joining the San Antonio community to offer high-quality dental services to families and individuals of all ages,” Dr. Aranda said, in the release.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Shorter University in Rome, Georgia and her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Dental College of Georgia at Augusta.

Mirada Market Dental Care is located at 30821 Mirada Blvd., in San Antonio. The office is now accepting new patients. Appointments can be made by calling 352-251-3298 or visiting MiradaMarketDentalCare.com.

Chamber banquet
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its Hawaiian Luau Installation Banquet at Spartan Manor on June 23. The cocktail hour is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by the banquet. The event will feature a Hawaiian-themed dinner, with awards and a board of directors installation ceremony. Individual tickets are $55. Members who register by June 20 can get a $5 discount. The event will have a cash bar. Dress in theme attire or business casual. For more information, call 727-842-7651 or 813-909-2722.

Chamber board openings
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce nominating committee has slated these individuals to its 2022 Board of Directors Ballot, presented in alphabetical order: Shane Barker, Alex Hulbert, Vicky Jones and David West. They are being nominated to fill four positions on the board, with the term beginning on Oct. 1.

Additional candidates can be nominated by petition bearing the signatures of at least 10 qualified members of the chamber. That petition, the nominee form and board agreement must be received no later than 4 p.m., on June 3.

Questions regarding the elections process, board responsibilities, or commitments may be directed to the president/CEO by email at  or by phone, 813-782-1913.

PowerGals meeting
PowerGals of Zephyrhills meets on the first Friday of each month, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Shell’s Killer Bakery Inc., 5718 Sixth St., in Zephyrhills. The group’s chapter leader is Rosie Paulsen and its co-leader is Monica Young. This group is about empowering women in business, to help them thrive and to help each other.

Pasco EDC 34th annual awards
Now in its 34th year, Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s annual awards ceremony is regarded Pasco County’s premier business event. It attracts more than 400 business and community leaders in Tampa Bay and Pasco County, including state lawmakers, county board members and elected city leaders. The highlight of each year’s event is the Annual Industry Awards honoring local companies that exhibit exemplary growth in job creation, capital investment, technology, innovation, and community service.

This year’s event is Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Instructional Performing Arts Center, at 8657 Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel.

Mark your calendars to save the date. An online registration form will be coming soon.

Meanwhile, find out more about Pasco EDC at PascoEDC.com.

SCORE mentors, webinars
Pasco Hernando SCORE offers free individual, confidential small business mentoring. It also provides a wealth of free, practical help for businesses.

To request a mentor or find out more, visit PascoHernando.score.org.

You also can register for free webinars. Here’s a list of upcoming offerings:

  • June 7, noon to 1 p.m.: YouTube’s Economic Impact
  • June 9, noon to 1 p.m.: How to Really Start Your Own Business
  • June 28, noon to 1 p.m.: How to Assess Your Finances and Make Better Decisions
  • June 22, noon to 1 p.m.: The Basics of Commercial Business Insurance

Pasco County is seeking a new top executive

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Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles is stepping away from his leadership role in county government so he and his wife, Mandy, can pursue church development work overseas.

His last day official day will be Sept. 30, but his last working day will be July 31, because of accrued personal time off.

Biles asked the county board to accept his resignation during its May 17 meeting and to begin the process for naming his replacement.

The board will be addressing that process soon, including the possibility of hiring the same search company as it used to find Biles, or considering the option of hiring a local candidate for the county government’s top job.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles is leaving the top job in the county, after five years of serving at the helm. He and his wife, Mandy, are moving overseas to be involved in church development work. (File)

Biles is leaving at a time when Pasco has been experiencing rampant growth.

In his resignation letter, Biles noted, “While change is inevitable, I don’t think many of us expected what we would go through when I was hired by the county five years ago.

“On the positive side, we have seen some incredible growth with projects such as the much-anticipated Ridge Road extension and the subsequent Moffitt Campus initiative. On the negative side, we could never have anticipated the impacts that a worldwide pandemic and natural disasters would bring to our county. And yet, probably the work I am most grateful for is the radical cultural changes that have occurred within our organization that have resulted in not only significant performance gains across the enterprise but also the granting of three different Best Places to Work awards.”

He credits his accomplishments to the board’s willingness to give him “the flexibility and authority to focus first and foremost on building and maintaining our people-focused culture.”

Biles’ exit comes at a time when the county is preparing to expand its jail and to take over jail operations.

He’s also leaving at a time when the county is seeking to extend its Penny for Pasco surtax, a 1-cent sales tax that helps to pay for county projects.

His departure also comes when the county is in its early stages of updating its comprehensive plan, known as Pasco 2050.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey told Biles: “Well, we’re sorry to see you go, but I understand when these callings come, you need to answer them.

“You’ve taken us to new heights, in a challenging time. And, I think we had the right person, for the right time,” she added.

Commissioner Mike Moore noted that the board needs to choose an interim to serve until Biles’ replacement is named. The interim is expected to be named at the board’s next meeting in June.

Moore also observed: “You don’t always have to do a national search. Maybe we want to talk about people that are here.”

The job must be posted, but whether the board uses its own human resources department or a national search firm is the board’s decision, Biles said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano told Biles: “Dan, you’ve done a phenomenal job here.”

The commissioner said Biles’ background as an engineer was crucial in working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the extension of Ridge Road.

The Ridge Road extension is “such a critical piece for us,” Mariano said, adding that it played a role in attracting Moffitt Cancer Center to locate a campus in Pasco, which is leading to greater things for the future of Pasco.

Mariano said the county should consider both internal candidates and candidates from elsewhere.

Mariano raised concerns about the timing of the jail takeover, which had been discussed in previous board meetings, as being scheduled for Oct. 1.

Biles said he has always viewed Oct. 1 as an aggressive schedule for the takeover.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told the board: “We had concerns about Oct. 1, so we didn’t want to bind you to Oct. 1. But that’s still going to have to be a negotiation between you and the sheriff.”

Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein told the board there will be a resolution at its next meeting relating to the takeover.

The resolution doesn’t refer to Oct. 1, but rather refers to the 2023 fiscal year, Goldstein said.

Published May 25, 2022

Wesley Chapel Boulevard widening projects are a step closer

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a state-funded incentive grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) relating to the construction of a portion of Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The board took the action at its May 17 meeting, with no discussion, as part of its consent agenda. The consent agenda includes several items that are approved in a single action.

The agreement with FDOT covers a stretch of the road, from north of State Road 54/State Road 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard.

By way of background, the county board approved an incentive program agreement with FDOT on May 23, 2017, relating to acquiring right of way for the project. The estimated right of way cost for the project is $11.7 million, with FDOT contributing about $5.9 million.

The construction cost for the project is estimated at about $36.4 million, with FDOT agreeing to fund slightly more than $5.7 million, according to information in the board’s agenda packet.

The overall project includes a six-lane urban typical section roadway, with a sidewalk, bicycle lanes, a multi-use path, lighting, and new signals at the intersections of Wesley Chapel Boulevard (also known as County Road 54) and Stagecoach Village Boulevard; and, Grand Oaks Boulevard and Compark Drive. (The signals at Grand Oaks already have been installed.)

Right of way acquisition is expected to be completed in the winter of 2022/2023. Construction is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2023 and to be completed by Summer of 2025.

In another action at the May 17 meeting, the county board approved the state-funded grant agreement with FDOT for the construction of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, from north of Magnolia Boulevard to north of Old Pasco Road.

The project includes two new lanes in a 48-foot median to tie into the existing six lanes to the east and proposed six lanes to the south. Most of the lanes will be 12-feet wide, with some sections having 11-foot lanes. Traffic signal adjustments will be made to accommodate the new

six lanes, with new striping and pavement markings.

The project’s estimated cost is slightly more than $1.1 million, of which FDOT has agreed to fund about $569,400.

Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2023 and be completed by July 2025, according to agenda backup materials.

Published May 25, 2022

Some county roads are about to get brighter

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The Pasco County Commission has approved two joint partnership agreements with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), aimed at improving lighting along two county roads.

One agreement calls for installation of street lights along State Road 56, from Willow Oak Drive to The Shops at Wiregrass entrance. The county will be coordinating with Withlacoochee River Electric Company on the project, which is set to start this summer and be completed by winter 2023.

The second agreement calls for installing the lighting along State Road 56, from The Shops at Wiregrass entrance to Meadow Pointe Boulevard.

The county will coordinate with Withlacoochee River Electric Company for the installation of the street lights. The construction, engineering and inspection phase is expected to begin this summer and be completed by the winter of 2023.

Both projects are each estimated at $60,000, according to backup materials in the county board’s May 17 agenda packet.

In other action at the May 17 meeting, the county board:

  • Approved a moratorium for development near airports, with the exception of Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. The moratorium will allow the county to develop regulations aimed at protecting airports.
  • Approved awarding work to the following companies: Megascapes Landscape and Maintenance Inc., (Megascapes) as the primary vendor; Sunbelt Sod & Grading Company (Sunbelt), as the secondary vendor; and Sod Solutions Inc., (Sod Solutions) as the tertiary vendor for ongoing and as-needed sod and sod installation to be used by the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department. The total work is not to exceed $250,000 for fiscal year 2022 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2023, for a cumulative amount of $500,000, for the two-year contract ending Sept. 30, 2023.
  • Agreed to purchase 18.28 acres of property from Lynn Heasley, for $400,000, plus closing costs, for the land to be included in the county’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program. The land is in Land O’ Lakes, on the north and south sides of State Road 52. The property is next to the ELAMP-owned Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve, and within the North Pasco to Crossbar Ecological Corridor. While the property will be managed as part of the Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve, the seller has requested that the tract be named after her father, Maj. Billy A. Heasley, a retired veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
  • Approved a rezoning from a general commercial district to a Master Planned Unit Development to allow 376 residential units and 85,500 square feet of retail on 40.05 acres, on the south side of State Road 52, about 840 feet east of Mirada Boulevard.
  • Directed County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder to follow the recommendation made by outside counsel to approve the proposed settlement with Walgreens, and authorize the county attorney’s office to execute necessary documents for Pasco County to participate in the proposed settlement with this defendant.
  • Approved spending $425,000 to purchase affordable housing rental units.
  • Approved a 120-day extension for completion of an intersection improvement at Eiland Boulevard/Morris Bridge Road and State Road 54. The new completion date is set for Aug. 9, 2023.
  • Approved a budget amendment recognizing additional revenue for the library service department, through a state aid to libraries grant award of $144,793. The state aid to libraries grant is received annually, and the funds are used to purchase library books and electronic resources.
  • Approved funding for reimbursement grants from the Florida Sports Foundation to the county’s Destination Management Organization (DMO), in the amount of $32,677.82.

The reimbursement resulted from a higher-than-expected public participation at several events hosted by the DMO.

The board also discussed the need for a working arrangement with Pasco County Schools to open school playgrounds, basketball courts and other facilities, to allow families and children to enjoy using them.

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick said she has been working on the issue.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey said opening up those facilities is long overdue. She, too, has been interested in making the facilities available for public use.

When there are more people congregated in areas, there’s a reduced chance for vandalism, because there are more people watching what’s happening there, the county board chairwoman said.

Published May 25, 2022

Delays persist on fire department improvements

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Pasco County firefighters repeatedly have rang alarm bells recently regarding delayed response times and lagging construction progress on county fire/rescue facilities.

At the Pasco County Commission’s meeting on May 17, board members voted on two items that reflect those delays.

The board approved a change order on Fire Station No. 17 that extends the work for 90 days, bringing the new completion date to Oct. 2.

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The delay includes an additional fee of $15,124 for Fleischman and Garcia Architects (FGA) and Planners, AIA, PA, bringing the not-to-exceed total to $489,510.

The board took that action without comment, as part of its consent agenda.

In another action, the board approved spending $549,100 for the purchase and installation of a training burn tower for the department’s Amador J. Gonzolo Training Center, 15910 Little Ranch Road in Spring Hill.

The new tower is replacing one that has exceeded its life cycle, according to Andrew Baxter, facilities management director.

The county had been planning to build a new training center, near the jail, using funds from the voter-approved General Obligation bonds.

However, Baxter said, “based on the escalations that we’re seeing for the construction of all of the new and replacement fire stations, we’re reevaluating that entire plan.”

Now, a new Fire/Rescue training center is not expected to be built for at least 10 years, he said.

The new burn tower will give the county time to continue training, while awaiting the new center, he said.

The delays underscore complaints that have been made during the public comment portion of the board’s meetings for the past several meetings.

At the May 17 meeting, Steve Akel, a member of International Association of Firefighters, Local 4420, reiterated those concerns.

He told commissioners: “When smoke fills your hallway; glass litters the road; or you or your child have that unexpected emergency at 2 a.m., myself and my 600 brothers and sisters race to be the ones to save you, in your emergency.”

Akel doesn’t want Pasco residents to have to ask whether an ambulance or fire truck will be available, and if it will arrive on time.

“Ambulances and stations need to be prioritized,” Akel said.

“It is this lack of support that’s been a contributing factor to losing 50 firefighters, averaging 5½ years of service, to other departments.

“Experienced firefighters are leaving from over-utilization, under-compensation and the feeling of no help in sight, from the commission,” Akel said.

“We are losing experienced rescuers, while trying to replace them with new ones and losing those people, also,” he added.

Meanwhile, as the department battles to retain current staff and train new firefighters, neighborhoods continue to fly up across Pasco, the union member said.

Akel also complained about the condition of the current training center, which he characterized as being “in shambles and nearly condemned.”

He summed up his remarks this way: “By not fixing these issues, you are failing our people and not fulfilling your purpose.”

Published May 25, 2022