Kathy Steele

Voters could decide on four bond issues in 2018

February 21, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County voters could be asked to support as many as four bond referendums in November to pay for upgrades to public safety, fire rescue, parks and libraries.

County officials presented information on the bonds at a Feb. 13 workshop in New Port Richey.

A four-year plan for Pasco County Fire Rescue might include a $58 million bond referendum on the 2018 ballot. Approval could mean an expansion and upgrade of the fire station near the county jail in Land O’ Lakes. (File)

At a previous workshop, Pasco County commissioners had considered a single referendum for about $185 million to pay for public safety and fire rescue needs. That included a 1,000-bed expansion at the county’s jail in Land O’ Lakes, four new fire stations, and upgrades and expansions at five other fire stations.

There also was discussion on including parks and libraries in the single bond, or possibly putting those categories into a separate bond.

This is the county’s current breakdown on individual bond issues:

$128 million for public safety
$57 million for fire rescue
$19 million for parks and recreation
$9 million for libraries

Pasco County commissioners had differing opinions on whether to pursue separate bond issues.

From a legal standpoint, Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said the bonds should not be “lumped” together.

“Every single item should be on there,” said Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano. “Let the people pick.”

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said he worried about overloading voters with too many issues.

“On one ballot, that is going to be very, very full,” he said. “That’s a lot of information — a lot going on.”

But, he later said, he could go along with four bonds.

“If you guys want to put it on the ballot, put it on the ballot,” he said.

The detention center project, at $128 million, would pay for a 1,000-bed expansion. County officials said a judicial administrative order mandates that the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office relieve overcrowding when the inmate population reaches a daily average of 1,900.

The facility was built to house 1,432 inmates but, as of January, held more than 1,800 on an average day. By 2020, the inmate population is projected to be at nearly 2,400 a day.

The cost per household, based on $100,000 property assuming a homestead exemption, is estimated at $13.87 annually.

Fire rescue is seeking $57 million for four new stations, as well as renovations at five existing stations and at the fire training center. In addition, the bond would pay for trucks for the new stations.

The cost per household, based on $100,000 property assuming a homestead exemption, would be about $8.60 annually.

The $9 million for the libraries would be used to modernize and upgrade a library system built in the 1980s. The cost per household, assuming a homestead exemption, would be $1.71 a year.

The $19 million for parks and recreation would pay for deferred maintenance projects. The cost per household, based on $100,000 property asssuming a homestead exemption, would be $3.71 a year.

“I think people would vote for $1.71 and $3.71,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, referring to the cost per household for the libraries and parks bond issues.

Currently, the county spends $1.5 million annually on deferred maintenance needs.

At that spending rate, county officials said it could take more than 15 years to catch up.

Using bond proceeds, the backlog could be completed in five years or six years, they said.

One critical recreation issue for the county is a shortage of ball fields.

Currently, sports leagues must compete for playing time, said Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources.

“As growth continues and as children want to play, the reality is we don’t have enough fields to put them on,” he said.

Revised February 28, 2018

Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition dishes healthy meals

February 21, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Life and retirement don’t always work out as expected.

John Richardson packed his belongings and left behind more than 20 years as a firefighter in New Rochelle, New York, and headed for the warm paradise of Florida

“I thought I was going to come down here and go to the beach every day,” he said.

Richardson pictured himself in a convertible, top down, tooling off to the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

John Richardson makes healthy, fresh menu items daily, including this wrap whipped up at Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition in Land O’ Lakes. (Kathy Steele)

His beach dreams are gone now, but his cooking career is taking off.

In November, Richardson opened Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition in a small plaza, at 6745 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The restaurant’s name is no misspelling. It draws attention in a way no traditional name spelling would do.

“Jon is more gourmet,” Richardson elaborated. “It’s worked out good.”

His menu features healthy, fresh recipes, including Buffalo chicken spread, jerk smoked salmon spread, honey jerk smoked turkey spread, guacamole, and pasta. He recently added wraps.

Almost all items are “jerk smoked,” a combination that Richardson said makes his recipes unique. Other restaurants offer jerk or smoked meals, but not both together, he said.

“It’s a little longer process to do it, but it’s worth it,” Richardson said.

Customers can dine in or order meals, with free delivery. Richardson also does catering.

Cooking wasn’t totally off Richardson’s radar as a firefighter. But, he hadn’t considered owning a restaurant.

He picked up culinary skills at the New Rochelle fire station.

Mealtime was a group activity.

Richardson did much of the prep work. He chopped carrots, celery, onions and other vegetables. Along the way, he also picked up a few recipes.

“I watched the (other) guys and that’s how I learned to cook,” he said.

For years, his kitchen activity stayed strictly inside his home, or at the fire station. He would try recipes on his daughter and ask for her opinions.

When Richardson left New Rochelle, he relocated to New Tampa, and eventually took a job as medical lab technician at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. It was a similar job to one he had in New York.

Richardson said it was typical for firefighters to have a second job on their days off.

He worked at the veteran’s hospital for two years.

All the while, he was developing his signature recipes for jerk smoked spreads.

For his going away party, Richardson brought a salad, with jerk turkey breast, that was a big crowd pleaser.

Friends encouraged him to go into business.

Next, he signed up with the Entrepreneurs Collaborative Center in Hillsborough County. The nonprofit helps start-up businesses with resources, training and mentoring.

Richardson’s initially sold his products at area salons and gymnasiums.

He also began selling HerbaLife products, which are available for purchase at his restaurant.

By focusing on nutritious foods, he dropped about 30 pounds.

Richardson also caters and delivers daily meals.

Last year he decided it was time for the next step of opening a brick-and-mortar, Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition.

He found a former computer store, did some renovations, and opened in November.

He makes meals daily at a professional kitchen, and brings them to his restaurant.

His days are split between the restaurant and catering.

He continues to offer free meal deliveries.

In the future, he aims to have a large enough location to accommodate both a kitchen and restaurant seating.

He wants to sell his spreads, and other menu items, at area grocery stores, such as Whole Foods and Publix.

He marvels at how his life took a turn, setting him off in a new direction.

“It’s God, but it’s also a whole bunch of things that fell into place,” Richardson said. “It’s overwhelming. It’s a humbling experience.”

For more information, call (813) 495-2130, or visit Facebook.com/jonsgourmetproducts.com.

Published February 21, 2018

Pasco crafting conservative 2019 budget

February 21, 2018 By Kathy Steele

It’s still early in 2018, but Pasco County is taking the first steps toward planning its fiscal year budget for 2019.

Pasco County officials are looking to hold the line on expenses, even as property values are expected to increase between 7 percent and 8 percent.

Essentially, they want a flat balanced budget that has no increase in the millage rate.

The Pasco County Commission received an update on anticipated revenues and expenses at a Feb. 13 workshop in New Port Richey.

The county is taking a conservative approach to the 2019 budget because of the potential for a referendum on the November ballot that could cost the county between $10 million and $12 million.

The fire rescue fund also could lose as much as $3 million.

The outcome on the referendum will be crucial.

Voters will have the chance to approve a $25,000 increase in the homestead exemption. County officials expect the referendum to pass. Revenue loss will be felt beginning in 2020.

Other revenue sources will grow, including tourism taxes and stormwater fees. Both of those were boosted by the Pasco County Commission in 2017.

County officials say increasing population means more services are needed for residents, including parks and libraries, roads and stormwater.

Those costs cut into the revenue increases.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles believes that Pasco will be able to offset the revenue shrinkage better than most Florida counties.

“I don’t expect a hiring freeze or layoffs, just yet,” Biles said.

But, the county will proceed with caution.

“We don’t want to take on any new expenditures that we can’t sustain the next year,” said Bob Goehrig, the county’s budget director. “That’s sort of our marching order.”

Initial county projections for property taxes estimate about $13 million in new revenues. But, about $4.1 million will be paid out to community development areas that receive set-aside tax dollars to support various projects.

The remaining $9.2 million will be split evenly between the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s other departments and offices, with each receiving about $4.6 million.

Other factors impacting the 2019 budget include a slower rate of increase in the half-cent sales tax revenues and increased costs for pension contributions, health care, worker’s compensation, and property/casualty insurance.

The county also anticipates paying $3 million to $6 million annually for temporary housing for jail inmates on site at the detention center in Land O’ Lakes, or at jails in other counties.

Plans are underway to build a 1,000-bed expansion at the overcrowded facility.

Potential funding for that project would come from a bond issue, not general revenues. The bond issue requires voter approval.

The county’s tourism tax revenues are increasing, as a result of an increased tourism tax, from 2 percent up to 4 percent last year, and a general increase in tourism.

Six new hotels are either open or under construction.

The increased tourism tax is expected to boost revenues from slightly more than $1 million last year to about $3.3 million by 2019.

Another sign of Pasco’s growing population and improving economy is the increase in building permits.

In 2016, the county received a little more than $6 million in fees. That increased to about $8.5 million in 2017, and is expected to be more than $9 million in 2019.

But, Goehrig said, “The fees are designed to recover expenses. This isn’t money we’re putting into the bank.”

Published February 21, 2018

Partial closure of Suncoast Trail for repairs

February 21, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Part of the Suncoast Trail will be closed from Feb. 27 through March 9 for repairs and resurfacing, according to a news release from Pasco County.

The 42-mile trail winds through Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. The largest segment of nearly 22 miles is in Pasco.

A line of bike riders pedaled along the Suncoast Trail in Pasco County for a special biking event in 2011. (File)

The closure includes trail access south of State Road 52, and north of State Road 54.

The project is one of Pasco County’s Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources scheduled maintenance plans to improve the multi-use Suncoast Trail.

The resurfacing will smooth out uneven areas and address areas needing repair. The aim is to make it safer for walkers and bikers to pass each other.

Walking, biking and inline skating are allowed. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

The trail is being closed because Pasco County officials said it would unsafe to use while repairs are being made.

The trail is part of Florida’s Greenways & Trails system, and opened in 2001. It parallels the Suncoast Parkway, and goes past the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve.

The end points are the Upper Tampa Bay Trail at West Lutz-Lake Fern Road in Keystone, in Hillsborough County, and U.S. 98 at West Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Brooksville, in Hernando.

For more information, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published February 21, 2018

Business Digest 02/21/2018

February 21, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Chuy’s Tex-Mex opens in spring
Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurant will open at the Cypress Creek Town Center this spring, at 25750 Sierra Center Blvd.

The Texas-based restaurant is known for its made-from-scratch dishes and eclectic dining experience. This will be Chuy’s ninth Florida location.

Construction is nearly complete on Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurant. A spring opening is planned for the restaurant at Cypress Creek Town Center. (Courtesy of Chuy’s)

The Cypress Creek Town Center is off State Road 56, across from Tampa Premium Outlets.

Chuy’s menu prepares dishes made from hand-rolled tortillas cooked fresh on a smooth, flat griddle — known as a comal — right in the dining room. Also, featured are Chuy’s homemade sauces, including the mild Tomatillo and the spicy Hatch Green Chile.

Recipes are authentic to South Texas, New Mexico and Mexican border towns.

Helen Bowen is the local owner and operator of Chuy’s.

Menu items include the “Big As Yo’ Face” burritos, the hand-pulled chicken-stuffed “Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom” enchiladas and the “Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken.”

The approximately 8,500-square-foot restaurant includes an outdoor patio. There is an Elvis shrine, the La Chihuahua Bar featuring framed pictures of local dogs, a school of hand-carved wooden fish, metal palm trees and a hubcap-covered ceiling.

Chuy’s will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

On weekdays, there will be daily drink specials and a build-your-own nacho station from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For information, visit Chuys.com or Facebook.com/ChuysTampa.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill delivers
Carrabba’s Italian Grill has launched delivery service from its Lutz location, at 16525 Pointe Village Drive.

Carrabba’s uniformed team members will deliver meals, not a third-party contractor.

Delivery for dinner begins at 4 p.m., daily. Selections include a variety of Carrabba’s signature dishes, such as Chicken Bryan, Pollo Rosa Maria, and Chicken Marsala. Also, there are 10 different “family bundles” that feature complete, made-from-scratch meals for up to five people. Menu items include spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and Chicken Parmesan or Chicken Marsala. Warm bread and salad is included.

Prices for the family bundles start at $7 per person. Delivery fee is $4.

For information or to order delivery, visit Carrabbas.com.

No foam cups at Dunkin’ Brands
Dunkin’ Brands, owner of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins, plans to phase out its use of polystyrene foam beverage cups by 2020, according to a news release from As You Sow.

As You Sow is a nonprofit that promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility through advocacy, coalition building and innovative legal strategies.

Dunkin’ Brands previously announced plans to begin using a polypropylene plastic cup. Paper cups will be used instead. The decision will remove nearly one billion foam cups from the waste stream annually, the release states.

As You Sow also is encouraging Dunkin’ Brands to go further, and commit to paper cups with recycled fiber content.

Other restaurants also are phasing out foam products.

McDonald’s goal is to remove all foam from its global markets by the end of 2018. Starbuck’s has used 10 percent recycled fiber in its cups for many years.

Economic development briefing
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its monthly economic briefing for Feb. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run Drive in Tampa.

Guest speaker will be Sandra Doran, the founder of North Tampa Christian Academy. The kindergarten through 12th-grade private school is under construction at 5619 County Line Road in Wesley Chapel. It is expected to open for the 2018-2019 school year.

The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534.

Crossfit Aero re-launch
Crossfit Aero will have a “re-launch” party and ribbon cutting Feb. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 4450 Pet Lane, Building 102, in Lutz.

A ribbon cutting is planned for 7 p.m.

The event is free. Wear workout clothes and get some exercise.

For information, call Crossfit Aero at (813) 786-2610, or email owner Josh Willis at .

North Tampa charity bingo
North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host “Drag Queen Bingo” to benefit K-9 Heroes 4 Our Heroes Inc., Feb. 26 at 7 p.m., at Hamburger Mary’s, at 1600 Eighth Ave., in Ybor City.

Enjoy fun and games.

For a $10 donation, you can play 10 games of Bingo for 10 chances to win. There also will be a 50/50 drawing.

Half of all proceeds will be donated to K-9 Heroes 4 Our Heroes Inc.

Anyone wishing to donate a prize, as a way to advertise your business, should email .

Please RSVP for a head count.

To register, visit NorthTampaChamber.com.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180, or email .

Central Pasco mixer/grand opening
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its new location with a mixer and grand opening Feb. 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 1930 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 16, in Land O’ Lakes.

The event is free.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet Feb. 27 at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Guest speaker will be Gary Joiner, Pasco County’s property appraiser.

For information, contact Nils Lenz at or (813) 782-9491; or Vice Chairwoman Vicky Jones at or (813) 431-1149.

Pasco wants you, to fight illegal dumping

February 14, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County is turning to a state law against littering — coupled with the help of its citizens — to get tougher on illegal dumping.

The targets of the get tough campaign are illegal dumping by individuals and blighted commercial properties.

Pasco County citizens will be enlisted in a social media blitz, dubbed #PascoProud, aimed at catching illegal dumpers in the act, and prosecuting them.

No changes to current county ordinances are planned.

A donation bin, off State Road 56, became a magnet for illegal dumping. County officials plan to use a state law, and #PascoProud campaign to get tougher on citizens and commercial haulers who illegally dump. (File)

Instead, county officials have created an email address — — where citizens can report locations of illegal dumping, vehicle license plate numbers and, when possible, attach videos and photos of offenders.

People also can post locations and photos to social media with the hashtags – #PascoProud and #RIDPasco. On MyPasco mobile application, they can click the link, “Report Illegal Dumping.” And, they can visit a Report Illegal Dumping website at http://bit.ly/2Bj6CUz, or call (727) 847-2411.

This new program aims to make it possible to report illegal dumping in as many ways as possible.

Citizens are ready to join in the fight, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who worked with county staff members to craft the proposal.

“They’re mad. They’re already out there taking pictures,” Moore said.

Pasco County relies on cameras placed in about a dozen locations. And, citizens routinely call in complaints to county staff and county commissioners.

But, greater citizen engagement in catching illegal dumpers, and boosting arrests and penalties, would be a “proactive, preventive measure,” said Marc Bellas, the county’s performance management director.

Bellas said county employees will conduct “triage” to prioritize the emails and other citizen-reported information. Part of their efforts will be to determine whether debris and trash are on public or private property.

There are limits to what county government can do when dumping is done on private property, Bellas said.

Emails and photos will be forwarded to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to investigate.

Violators under the county’s ordinance can be fined up to $500 a day, per violation.

However, state law also can be applied. Pasco officials have their sights on blighted commercial properties.

Penalties under state law could mean fines, points against a driver’s license, community service, and jail time.

Haulers who work for profit could face forfeiture of trucks and other vehicles, if they are caught illegally dumping.

Penalties under state law are partly based on the amount of litter that is dumped, and partly based on who does the dumping.

Litter that is 15 pounds or less, or less than 27 cubic feet in volume, for instance, would carry a civil penalty of $100, under state law. However, violators could be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for dumping more than 15 pounds, but less than 500 pounds, or an amount greater than 100 cubic feet in volume. This applies to illegal dumping not done for “commercial purposes.”

According to state law, convictions for first-degree misdemeanors carry stiff fines, and potentially could result in points on the violator’s driving record.

Violators who illegally dispose of more than 500 pounds or more than 100 cubic feet, or “any quantity for commercial purpose,” can be charged with a felony of the third degree. Penalties include jail time and forfeiture of vehicles used in the illegal dumping.

“We’re going to go stricter,” Moore said. “We’re not going to put up with this anymore.”

For more information, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published February 14, 2018

Housing demand on rise in Florida, Pasco

February 14, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Construction sites along Pasco County’s major corridors are part of everyday landscape.

Bulldozers clear land and work crews move in with hammer and nails.

Pasco is awash in new single-family homes under construction, and to a lesser degree, apartment complexes.

Brad O’ Connor, chief economist for Florida Realtors (Courtesy of Brad O’ Connor)

But, market trends show that the supply of new homes is lagging behind demand. That’s a change from the housing bubble that burst in 2008 and sent the economy into a tailspin.

“This time, instead of building too much, we’re building too little,” said Brad O’ Connor, chief economist for Florida REALTORS.

But, there are solid reasons why demand is high.

“Right now, demand is being driven by population growth and economic growth,” O’ Connor said.

O’ Connor was keynote speaker at the Feb. 1 forum, Reshaping the Face of Pasco 2018 Economic Summit. Central Pasco Association of Realtors hosted the event at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass.

Other participants were David Gwynn, District 7 secretary at the Florida Department of Transportation; Tom Ryan, economic development manager for the Pasco Economic Development Council; Camille Hernandez, mayor of Dade City; Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County commissioner; Mary Yeargan, director of district management at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and Bob Thompson, program moderator of Thompson Event Partners.

Monthly supplies of single-family homes, as well as condominiums and townhouses, were down statewide in 2017, according to data from Florida Realtors.

Florida had slightly less than four months of inventory for single-family homes, down about 6.2 percent from the previous year. There was a six-month inventory of condos and townhouses, down about 1.5 percent.

Hillsborough County had a 2.6-month inventory of single-family homes, down 10 percent; and a two-month inventory of condos and townhouses, down almost 10 percent.

Pasco County also had a 2.6-month inventory in single-family homes, down 4.2 percent; and the same amount in condos and townhouses, down 19 percent.

In 2017, the biggest inventory of single-family homes in Pasco fell within the $200,000 to $250,000 range, followed by homes from $100,000 to $150,000, and $150,000 to $200,000. Those were increases from 2016.

But, there was a significant decline from 2016 to 2017 in homes selling from $50,000 to $100,000. “There is a scarcity in the low sales rage,” O’ Connor said.

Research found declines also in the monthly averages for the 2017 inventory of active listings of single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses.

Florida’s average monthly listings of single-family homes were nearly 89,000, down 4.6 percent. There were about 54,000 monthly listings on average for condos and townhouses, down about 1.2 percent.

Pasco had about 2,200 listings for single-family homes monthly, down about 2.2 percent. Condos and townhouses had about 420 listings a month, down about 16 percent.

With demand higher than supply, O’ Connor said housing prices are inflated.

However, data shows Pasco is still a bargain for homeowners, even as prices rise, compared to other Tampa Bay counties.

Statewide the median price for a single-family home in 2017 was $237,500, an 8 percent increase. In Hillsborough, the median price was $235,000, an increase of 6.8 percent.

Pasco’s median price was $200,000, an increase of 13 percent.

O’ Connor also noted one other housing trend.

In 2008, homeowners stayed in their homes on average seven years. Now they stay about 11 years.

It’s not clear why, though O’ Connor said people could still be feeling the effects of the economic recession.

For information, visit FloridaRealtors.org.

Published February 14, 2018

Del Webb moves into Bexley

February 14, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pulte Group broke ground on an 850-home, age-restricted Del Webb Bexley community in Land O’ Lakes on Jan. 31.

The age 55 and older community is the first “active-adult” project built by Pulte in the Tampa Bay area since 1960, according to a press release from Pulte Group.

“We feel the Tampa area is underserved for baby boomers looking to live in a place that is designed specifically for them,” said Sean Strickler, in a written statement.

Strickler is division president for the west Florida region for Pulte Group.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, left, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr., Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano, Hunter Booth, Toxey Hall, Aaron Baker, Kelli Bailey and Sean Strickler, division president for west Florida region for Pulte Group broke ground on the 850-home, age-restricted Del Webb Bexley community in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Boardroom PR)

Strickler attended the ground breaking along with executives from Pulte Group and Newland, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr., and commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano.

The homes are under construction at Sunlake Boulevard and Tower Road on about 490 acres within the master-planned Bexley by Newland Communities, off State Road 54. The gated community will be built in four phases, with the first homes expected to be move-in ready by spring 2019.

In a telephone interview, Strickler reported a construction start on model homes in October, with completion in January or February, 2019.

Already, about 2000 people have expressed an interest in moving there, he said. Some homes could be sold before the model homes are finished, he added.

“Del Webb always has a high degree of interest,” Strickler said. “But, this has exceeded our expectations because we haven’t done much advertising, except on the website.”

Del Webb’s last active-adult community was built in the Ruskin area in the early 1960s. Plans were underway for a Wesley Chapel community before the housing bust in 2009. “Obviously the market got in the way,” Strickler said.

But, it’s a different market today, and the Tampa Bay area is a magnet for baby boomers, he added.

Pulte also is one of the builders at the master-planned community of Epperson, which features the Crystal Lagoon. There are no current plans to build a Del Webb community there. But, Pulte has about 250 lots available, and has sold 11 homes. “We anticipate them going quickly,” Strickler said.

The Del Webb Bexley community will offer six single-family home designs, of two- to four-bedrooms and two- to four-bath rooms. There will be two- to three-car garages.

Home prices will start in the low $200,000 range.

Residents will have a 17,000 square-foot, multimillion dollar clubhouse that features a large social room; a café with snacks, beer, coffee and wine; a fitness area; a resort-style swimming pool; and, recreational activities overseen by a full-time lifestyle director.

Del Webb residents also can enjoy a lakefront club and café as part of the larger Bexley community. And for an additional fee, they can purchase access to Bexley’s “all-ages” amenities, which include 10 miles of multi-use Avid Trails, parks and playgrounds, a soccer field, dog park, two resort-style pools, a bike park and many social events.

For information, call (866) 230-6089, or visit DelWebb.com/bexley.

Published February 14, 2018

New fees needed to help protect patients during hurricanes?

February 14, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County commissioners are discussing the possibility of imposing new fees to help protect patients in licensed health care facilities when hurricanes threaten or hit.

Although Hurricane Irma was a less destructive storm than many feared as it blew through the Tampa Bay region, it revealed potential problems in protecting, evacuating and sheltering patients in licensed health care facilities.

County staff provided a preview of a proposal to address those issues at a Jan. 30 workshop with commissioners in Dade City. Representatives of Florida Health Pasco County and Medical Center of Trinity attended, too.

Kevin Guthrie, Pasco County’s assistant county administrator for public safety

Recommendations include training exercises, drills and hiring a full-time operations coordinator.

And, there are ongoing discussions on how to fund all of this.

County officials favor collecting an annual fee per bed, ranging from just under $12 to slightly more than $14.

Preliminary estimates show the county has more than 6,200 beds. Most are in assisted living facilities, nursing homes and hospitals.

A second option would be an annual fee per facility ranging from about $864 to more than $914.

Pasco would like to hire the operations coordinator by this spring.

Initially, health care providers could be asked to make voluntary contributions until a fee schedule is approved.

The county’s operations coordinator would serve as liaison between Pasco, the state health department and licensed facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living establishments, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.

“We have to have one person who is dedicated to this,” said Kevin Guthrie, Pasco’s assistant county administrator for public safety. “We just don’t have that.”

The county’s emergency management department reviews and approves emergency plans prepared by those facilities. There is much to consider.

State and federal laws apply to health care providers and their emergency readiness.

For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, set new rules for patient safety during emergencies for a list of 17 categories of Medicare and Medicaid providers. Those took effect in November 2017.

The list includes hospitals, hospices, transplant centers, home health agencies and community mental health centers.

The county also has other rules that come under review.

Gov. Rick Scott issued an emergency order after 14 nursing home patients in Hollywood died after a power failure at their nursing home. The governor’s order requires health care providers have generators and fuel to last four days.

The same rule applies whether the facility has six beds or 400.

“It’s going to be some of the smaller units that struggle and need help,” said Devin Sommise, director of engineering and facilities for the Medical Center of Trinity.

Pasco has as many as 26 shelters available for emergencies. Many are based in area high schools and middle schools.

As Hurricane Irma approached, some nursing homes evacuated patients to shelters.

But, there were problems.

According to Guthrie, 15-passenger vans would show up at a shelter “just dropping off people at the door step.”

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said at least one nursing home didn’t have enough staff to transport patients from a shelter back to the nursing home.

“It was disappointing they didn’t staff to get their patients back,” he said.

Pasco County Sheriff’s office stepped in and brought passenger vans to pick the patients up, Moore added.

“Somebody from the facility should have to stay with them,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

The county’s proposal would focus on developing a communication plan to prevent similar occurrences.

If the new job position is approved, duties would include reviewing, but not writing, emergency plans for health care facilities in Pasco, as well as facilitating eight exercise events and six training courses.

“Everyone has to have a plan. Everyone has to execute it,” said Sommise. “How are you getting these people out? Show me.”

Published February 14, 2018

Business Digest 02/14/2018

February 14, 2018 By Kathy Steele

New Identities Hair Studio opens
New Identities Hair Studio had a ribbon cutting and open house on Feb. 7 for its third salon location, at 19038 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in New Tampa.

Other locations are in Tampa Palms at 15307 Amberly Drive and 10639 Big Bend Road in Riverview.

For information, call the studio at (813) 579-1575, or visit NewIdentitiesSalon.com.

Membership lunch
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly membership lunch Feb. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity.

Guest speakers will be from the Pasco Economic Development Council. They will discuss the council’s SMARTstart Microloan Fund.

The cost is $25 at the door for members and non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, email , or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

Goodwill job fair
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast Inc., will have a job fair Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the CareerSource office, 9350 Bay Plaza in Tampa.

At least 36 job positions will be available at a new Goodwill Store and distribution center, at 1407 U.S. 301 in Tampa.

Applicants must be 18 years of age.

Job positions include retail management staff members, sales and donations processing associates, and dock workers.

Hiring managers will be onsite to interview applicants.

Goodwill offers a benefits package and is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Goodwill is a drug-free workplace.

The new 20,000-square-foot store will sell donated clothing, household items, furniture and a variety of new products. It is expected to open sometime in February.

The 200,000-square-foot distribution center will house transportation and logistical operations for Goodwill-Suncoast, which are relocating from the headquarters on Gandy Boulevard in St. Petersburg. It is expected to open in early April.

Walk-ins are welcome, but job seekers are encouraged to apply online at Goodwill-suncoast.org/careers, prior to the job fair.

Hispanic leaders’ mixer
The Hispanic Business Leaders of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer Feb. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at The White Room Bar & Lounge, 6472 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Enjoy two-for-one drinks, free soft drinks, refreshments and Latin music.

The event is free.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Beach House open house
Beach House Wiregrass Assisted Living & Memory Care will host an open house Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 30070 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel. There will be a ribbon cutting at noon.

Enjoy tours of Beach House, as well as international cuisine and music from three countries.

The event is free, but an RSVP is requested by Feb. 16.

For information and to RSVP, call Callie Sears or Linda Mena at (813) 508-6677, or visit BeachHouseWiregrass.com.

Uncle Maddio’s happy hour
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host Uncle Maddio’s February 2018 Happy Hour on Feb. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Uncle Maddio’s, at 3949 Van Dyke Road in Lutz.

The restaurant will offer $1 off any pizza, and buy-one, get-one- free deal for house wine and draft beers.

The event is free, but RSVP for a headcount by Feb. 20.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180, or email .

The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534.

Sieg & Cole ribbon cutting
Sieg & Cole will have a ribbon cutting for its new law office on Feb. 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 2945 Defuniak St., in Trinity.

The event is free.

For information, call the law office at (727) 842-2237, or visit SiegColeLaw.com.

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet Feb. 27 at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Guest speaker will be Gary Joiner, Pasco County’s property appraiser.

For information, contact Nils Lenz at or (813) 782-9491; or Vice Chairwoman Vicky Jones at or (813) 431-1149.