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TAMPA – CareerSource Tampa Bay is joining workforce boards across the country to celebrate Workforce Development Month with job fairs, industry events and community partnerships throughout September.

“It’s about celebrating the people whose lives are changed through new skills, meaningful careers and stronger connections with employers,” said Keidrian Kunkel, president and CEO of CareerSource Tampa Bay. “We’re proud to work with our staff and community partners to build a talent pipeline that supports both job seekers and businesses in the Tampa Bay region.”

The national observance highlights programs and services that connect job seekers with meaningful employment while helping businesses find the skilled talent they need to grow. 

CareerSource Tampa Bay operates seven career centers in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and partners with employers and organizations to strengthen Tampa Bay’s workforce and economy.

Events planned for Workforce Development Month include:

• Sept. 11: WELD (Women for Economic Leadership and Development) Leadership Series – Navigating Your Career Journey: Empowering Workforce Development featuring CareerSource Tampa Bay President Keidrian Kunkel as a panelist.
• Sept. 16: Second Chance Job Fair.
• Sept. 16: Tampa Bay Tech Apprenticeship Network Event (employer-focused).
• Sept. 24: Manufacturing Industry Roundtable in partnership with Pinellas County Economic Development (employer-focused).
• Sept. 25: Workforce Development Month Fall Job Fair.

CareerSource Tampa Bay also launched a new virtual series earlier this month, Unlocking Apprenticeships, which provides an overview of how apprenticeship programs can build a pipeline of skilled talent for employers. 

CareerSource Tampa Bay will also send staff and leadership to the Florida Workforce Development Association annual conference Sept. 8 to 10 in Orlando. The conference includes programs designed to strengthen the skills of workforce professionals.

On the web: CareerSourceTB.com

LAKELAND – One of the largest Hispanic leadership conferences in the nation is coming to Lakeland.

The third annual Conferencia de Transformacion Latinoamericana is coming to the Southeastern University campus Sept. 6. Previous events were held in Atlanta and Los Angeles. 

This marks the first time Polk County will host a major Hispanic leadership conference. The event, held at the Bush Chapel, will feature numerous local leaders alongside national figures.

The conference not only focuses on strategy and networking but also aims to help leaders stay authentic and connected to their family and community while moving forward in their careers.

Featured national speakers

• Mariela Romero: A 27-time Emmy Award winner and the founder of the Latin American Transformation Conference. She will share her exclusive “7 C’s” methodology for personal and professional breakthroughs and high-performance leadership.
• Giovanni Gonzalez: A communications and leadership strategist who will teach how intentional listening can deepen influence, align teams and transform leadership results.
• Peter O. Estevez: His journey from immigrant to partner at one of the fastest-growing financial firms in the U.S. now inspires thousands of Latinos to transform their beliefs, finances and future.
• Mercedes Guzman: She shares her story of overcoming challenges from the poorest neighborhoods of El Salvador, teaching others how to heal past wounds and create a full, empowered life.
• Consra Rosales: As a managing partner of a U.S. financial firm, her story of resilience and leadership has transformed communities through economic empowerment.

Featured Polk County speakers

• Teresa Martinez: An influential leader and editor of ¡Viva Polk!, she has dedicated her life to amplifying the Hispanic voice in Florida through her work in education, communication and community.
• Martha Santiago: Recognized for her leadership in politics and education, she drives economic and community progress in Polk County with a strategic vision forged through public service and leadership development.
• Angela Falconetti: As president of Polk State College, she has received multiple awards for her commitment to education and leadership.
• Omar Arroyo: As the first Mexican-American mayor in Florida’s history, the Haines City native inspires with his story of achievement, leadership and community service. He promotes an inclusive vision that empowers young people and strengthens his community’s social fabric.
• Franceen Gonzales: She went from cleaning pools to leading LEGOLAND Florida Resort. She has 30 years of experience in transforming the entertainment industry with a focus on innovation, safety and global leadership.
• Sergio Perez: His story, which begins with studying English with his mother and culminates in programming at META, proves that purposeful effort can break down any barrier.

This is a ticketed event. Visit transformaelfuturo.com for details. 

• Passing on Financial Education to Students: Money management is a muscle you have to build, and starting early can help children establish a strong foundation. From learning how to build a budget, to understanding the benefits of compound interest, instilling smart spending, saving and budgeting habits before and during the college years will help your student be well-prepped for long-term financial success.

• Mastering Your Back-to-School Budget: Starting a new school year is always a time of change, which can often be accompanied by financial strain for parents and students alike. Creating a budget that covers essentials like textbooks, supplies and tuition is key. Set a spending limit and track your variable purchases (new clothes, locker or dorm decor, etc.) to keep yourself on track and avoid overspending when you hit the stores.

• Pro Tip: Help your children build healthy habits by using free budgeting apps and digital tools to stay on track. Bank of America’s Better Money Habits website offers easy-to-follow guides for students, helping them manage their money and track expenses as they go. Remember, budgeting doesn’t have to be all about sacrifice. Maintain some flexibility to help your financial life’s impact be positive, not overwhelming.

• Building Credit as a Student: College is a great time to start building credit. In the future, your child might want to rent an apartment or apply for a car loan. Having a good credit score can make a big difference. Consider setting them up with a student-friendly credit card, and make sure to set up automatic payments to avoid missing any payments. Maintaining a positive credit score is an excellent way to open doors for future financial engagements.

Jeff Crabtree works at Bank of America Tampa Bay.

DADE CITY – County Administrator Mike Carballa announced Aug. 19 that Pasco County will take steps to preserve an old oak tree outside the courthouse in Dade City. 

This comes after members of the community urged county leaders not to remove the tree in favor of updated landscaping. 

Carballa said county commissioners directed staff to employ a master arborist, who inspected the oak tree, provided a report on its condition and included options for removal, remediation or maintenance.

“Based on the arborist’s report and with the full support of this board, Pasco County will begin implementing a new maintenance plan to protect both the tree and surrounding property and we will reevaluate the tree’s condition biannually to ensure everyone’s safety,” Carballa said. “Pasco County appreciates the community’s patience as we move through the process of gaining a deeper understanding of the tree’s condition.”

County commissioners have received a lot of feedback from the community on the issue, including from Karen Menard of the Dade City Garden Club. Menard read a resolution from the club during the Aug. 19 public comment period urging the board to register Grand Oak No. 7 as a protected heritage tree. 

“This tree is estimated to be between 200 and 250 years old and represents one of the oldest and most significant natural landmarks in Dade City,” Menard said. “The tree has been a witness to the history and development of the community, serving as a gathering place for generations of residents and holding cultural, historic and sentimental value.”

The Dade City Garden Club explained that mature oak trees provide shade, habitat for native wildlife, stormwater management and carbon sequestration.

As I travel through Pasco County, I’m struck by the number of “Help Wanted” and “We’re Hiring” signs displayed by businesses. Finding and keeping talented employees has become an increasingly difficult challenge for employers. While it’s often possible to hire individuals with the right skills – be it in accounting, welding, sales, customer service or project management, the real hurdle is retention. Skilled workers can be easily lured away by slightly better pay or benefits, making employee turnover a constant and costly concern.

Research from the Association for Talent Development and the Society for Human Resource Management shows that employees are far more likely to stay with organizations that invest in their growth. When people see a clear career path, not just a job, they become more engaged and committed. It allows them to develop a professional identity and feel a stronger connection to their work – and their employer.

However, Gallup’s research over the last decade reveals a troubling trend: employee engagement in the U.S. is steadily declining. Their most recent survey reports that only 34% of American workers are actively engaged in their roles.

So, how can employers boost engagement and loyalty, especially when faced with tightening budgets? In the past, organizations often created in-house training departments or brought in external consultants to deliver broad, one-size-fits-all programs. While well-intentioned, these approaches often missed the mark for many employees.

Today, workforce development is evolving, and three modern approaches are gaining traction:

1. Internal Mentors, Coaches and Trainers

Many organizations are now investing in their own people to train and mentor others. By offering facilitation and coaching training, companies can turn experienced employees into internal experts. These mentors not only help upskill the workforce but also feel valued themselves—deepening their engagement and loyalty. In many ways, they become the organization’s most valuable talent developers.

2. Specialized External Vendors

There’s still an important role for outside training providers. These vendors bring deep expertise in areas like project management, IT, leadership, communication, supervision, and more. When large numbers of employees need specific skills, external trainers can deliver targeted, high-quality instruction that’s difficult to replicate in-house.

3. Training Partnerships

Perhaps the most collaborative approach is the training partnership model, where multiple non-competing organizations pool resources to offer shared development opportunities. A great example in our region is the Pasco County Training Partnership.

Four years ago, the Pasco County Economic Development Commission launched the Executive Success Program in collaboration with E-Assessments, Inc. Over the past three years, more than 20 companies have sent key employees to participate in leadership and communication workshops. Participants come from diverse sectors, including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, hospitality and real estate.

The program continues into 2025-26, with sessions beginning in September at 4&Co’s facility in the Bexley development. These workshops, shaped by client feedback, are designed to strengthen leadership at all levels and ultimately foster a more engaged, resilient workforce.

Pasco County Training Partnership 2025/2026 Schedule

• Sept. 9, Interpersonal Communication*, Full Day
• Oct. 9, Personal Listening*, Half Day
• Nov. 13, Conflict Management*, Full Day
• Dec. 11, Adapting to Change, Half Day
• Jan. 8, 2026, High Performance Work Teams*, Full Day
• Feb. 12, 2026, Facilitative Leadership*, Full Day
• March 12, 2026, Decision Making, Full Day
• April 9, 2026, Managing Your Career, Half Day
• May 7, 2026, Interviewing & Selection of Employees, Full Day

Sessions marked with a * indicate that individual pre-session assessments will be used by participants to enhance the learning outcomes. 

Contact Dr. Stacy Myers at or call him at 865-250-1343 for more information. 

On the web: eassess.net

Stacy C. Myers serves as president of E-Assessments in Land O’ Lakes.

LAND O’ LAKES – The Pasco County School Board has approved a tentative budget of $2,338,437,781 for the 2025-26 fiscal year, an increase of $53,462,164 over last year.

Superintendent John Legg reiterated to the school board July 29 that the general operating fund has grown from $1,099,842,895 in 2024-25 to $1,138,694,212 in 2025-26 despite a $3.6 million reduction in state funding due to a decline in student enrollment by 638 students.

Legg said $92 million in the budget is set aside for charter schools and $71 million for Florida Empowerment Scholarships (for area private schools). The budget also includes $66,726,372 in categoricals and set asides.

Other drivers include increases in health insurance and retirement rates, utilities, student resource officer contracts and the opening of Skybrooke K-8. 

The proposed capital projects fund is $671,563,602, an increase of $12,172,213 over the 2024-25 budget. 

Legg said major capital projects include construction at Gulf Middle, West Zephyrhills Elementary and the Kirkland Ranch K-8 gym; renovations at Cypress Elementary and Pasco High; and roof construction, HVAC system replacements and infrastructure upgrades at various schools. 

“The 2025-26 budget also reflects fiscal priorities which support student achievement,” Legg said. “Additionally, it’s designed to ensure the smooth delivery of effective school operations by prioritizing the needs of our students and the community.”

The budget includes a millage rate of 6.274 mills, a decrease of 0.057 from the previous year. District leaders say they have limited flexibility in setting millage and point to the state legislature. 

Legg said the owner of a $350,000 home, after the $25,000 homestead exemption, would pay $2,039 in taxes, an $18.53 decrease from last year. 

Legg described the budget as a living document that continuously changes over the course of the year. Budget amendments are submitted to the board to reflect changes. 

“We will continue to prioritize and make the best decisions we can for our students, teachers and staff with the funding that we have,” said Colleen Beaudoin, District 2 representative on the school board. “I am always reminded that the budget is fluid and that I remain committed to prioritizing our students.”

Beaudoin thanked Pasco County voters for passing the Salary Referendum in 2022. 

“Without this funding, it would be increasingly difficult to compete for the best teachers for our students,” she said. “That’s crucial for student success. Our community recognizes the importance and the value of public education.”

Megan Harding, District 5 rep on the school board, said she is also dedicated to ensuring the budget puts kids first. 

The school board set a final public hearing for the budget at 6 p.m. Sept. 9. 

ZEPHYRHILLS – The Zephyrhills City Council has added regulations for harboring backyard chickens. 

The regulations allow for residential units in single-family, estate, low density and medium density residential zoning districts to have up to five hens or pullets at a time. Roosters, capons or cockerels are not allowed. 

No chickens are allowed in other zoning districts, including duplex and multi-family lots. 

The intent of the ordinance is more about egg consumption than having pets.

“An interest in local food sources, food resilience and desire for fresher, more nutritious foods is being embraced by residents throughout the country,” according to the ordinance. “The City of Zephyrhills intends to integrate sustainability and resilience strategies that foster healthy communities, educate and empower residents to lead healthy, sustainable lifestyles, and invest in the wellbeing and success of our children.

“Many communities in Florida and throughout the United States have found in adopting ordinances to integrate the keeping of chickens in residential areas that up to four chickens are sufficient to meet the needs of the average family’s egg consumption.”

The ordinance does not allow breeding, slaughtering or the onsite sale of eggs, poultry or manure. 

Neighbor Brad Bush told the council that he supported the ordinance.
“I think it’s about as bulletproof as anything can get,” Bush said. “Obviously, at the end of the day, someone’s always going to try to take advantage of it, but it takes both the welfare of the chicken plus the individual freedoms of everyone into full account, along with holding up accountability for people to properly take care of said chickens.

Residents interested in having backyard chickens have to fill out an application from the city. 

Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson felt like the application needed more work. She wanted to see more specific language about what zoning districts the hens are allowed in. Staff assured Wilkeson that the districts would be added.

The ordinance has 16 bullet points to follow. Violators will be fined $500 per day. Residents can lose their ability to harbor chickens after three separate code enforcement violations.