The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

School board plans to trim property taxes

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A state-mandated reduction in school taxes will mean a modest decrease in many homeowners’ tax bills this coming year.

The Pasco County School Board on Tuesday set the millage rate for 2014-15 at 7.149, and are set to make a final decision on taxes at its September meeting. That is a reduction of 0.208 mills from last year.

One mill represents $1 of tax on every thousand dollars of taxable property value. So a $100,000 home with $50,000 in exemptions would pay $357.45 for the year. Assuming the homeowner’s property value didn’t change year over year, their tax bill would drop $10.40 in this scenario.

The Florida education commissioner certified the state required local effort at 4.901 mills, compared to 5.109 mills last year. The portion of the budget the school board controls kept the same tax rate as last year, including 0.748 mills for discretionary spending, and 1.500 mills for capital improvements.

The total budget for Pasco County Schools this year is just under $1.2 billion, according to a release. That’s up $119.9 million, or 11 percent, from last year, and includes both an operating budget of $544 million and a capital budget of $335 million. The operating budget cost rose 5 percent from $518.8 million last year.

The operating budget covers the cost of higher Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates as well as the cost associated to meet other state requirements like class size, health insurance and property premiums, among other things.

The budget also includes a salary increase for all employees.

The capital budget is up $90 million from last year, and includes spending on campus redevelopment in places like Pasco and Quail Hollow elementary schools. It also will cover a bond to build a new school, and fix heating and air-conditioning issues at various schools.

The final public hearing for the school budget is set for Sept. 16 at 6 p.m., in Land O’ Lakes.

Wesley Chapel, New Tampa chambers talk merger

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Both are young chambers of commerce compared to the ones with deeper roots that surround them. But there is a possibility that the two could become one.

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce has opened up talks with the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce with the idea that the two could explore “integrating membership” of the two chambers. The goal, Wesley Chapel chamber executive director Hope Allen said, would be to “build a strong organization focused on membership development, community development and economic development in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area.”

The Wesley Chapel chamber’s board of directors have appointed a task force to explore the logistics and benefits of a merger, and are now conducting a due diligence review, Allen said.

“While discussions are still in their infancy, we are always interested in reviewing partnerships that enhance our business community,” Allen said in a statement. “After the task force completes its review, the next step is to engage a broader pool of people in the discussion, including current chamber members and community leaders.”

The New Tampa chamber, founded in 2009, has a little more than 100 members. The Wesley Chapel chamber was founded in 1998, and maintains about 460 members. It’s not clear how big a new combined chamber would be, since some businesses are members of both chambers.

A decision is expected to be made by October.

Tax collector’s office readies grand opening

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Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector's office
Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s office

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the newest Pasco County Tax Collector’s office, opening next week off Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The ceremony is set to begin Aug. 4 at 10 a.m., at the office, located at 4610 Pet Lane in ComPark 75 in Lutz.

Tax collector Mike Fasano said in a release, he saw a need for an office in that area almost immediately after he took office. The location near State Road 56 is designed to serve residents in Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel and surrounding communities.

“The new Pasco County Tax Collector office in Wesley Chapel is long overdue,” said deputy tax collector Billy Poulos, in a release. “The area has seen a tremendous amount of growth and serves to have our services at its doorstep. For far too long, the residents of Wesley Chapel had to drive far distances to visit our offices. Those days are long gone as we open what is to be the new standard in tax collector offices.”

That includes wide concourses, a sleek and modern look, and close proximity to a major population hub, Poulos said.

The new office will be a full-service one that will include residential and commercial property tax, business receipt tax, drivers license testing and renewal, birth certificates, and registration for cars, vessels and motorcycles.

For more information on the new office and the grand opening, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Dollar Tree buying Family Dollar for a lot of dollars

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Two popular low-cost retail chains with dozens of locations locally will become one company by early next year.

Dollar Tree Inc. says it will buy Family Dollar Stores Inc. in a deal said to be worth $8.5 billion.

While both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar will share the same main office, not much else is expected to change, Dollar Tree executives said in a release. Stores will continue to operate under their own banners and their own policies, creating a combined force to compete with Dollar General.

The new Dollar Tree will have 13,000 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces, with annual sales expected to hit $18 billion.

Family Dollar chief executive Howard Levine will stay with the company, but report directly to his Dollar Tree counterpart, Bob Sasser. Levine will join the company’s board of directors.

While both stores are discount-oriented, each has its own approach to pricing. Dollar Tree does not sell any item for more than $1, while Family Dollar has various prices, but typically at a discount compared to competitors.

Family Dollar operates six stores locally, including four in Zephyrhills, and a store each in Dade City and San Antonio. Dollar Tree has stores in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

Gas prices continue to drop as summer wears on

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A fear that the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 would push up gas prices didn’t come to pass, and in fact Florida and other states continue to see the amount people pay at the pump falling.

Gasoline prices in Florida on Sunday was at $3.46, down nearly a nickel from a week ago, according to a new report from AAA. That marks the 30th straight day of price declines for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, keeping pace with declines in both Georgia and Tennessee.

“Oil prices briefly rose following the crash of (Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17), but gas prices didn’t skip a beat last week,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA’s spokesman, in a release. “Motorists continue to enjoy discounts at the pump, and that’s likely to continue this week.”

The price of oil fell more than a dollar, settling in at $102.09 a barrel, Jenkins said. Oil is trading lower as gasoline supplies reach a four-month high, and outpaces demand.

Gasoline nationwide averaged $3.53 on Sunday, down 5 cents from the week before, and 15 cents from June. The story was similar in Florida, where a gallon of gas is down 17 cents from a month ago, and 15 cents from a year ago.

Locally, gas prices late Sunday ranged between $3.26 and $3.49 in Land O’ Lakes, $3.41 and $3.50 in Zephyrhills, $3.25 and $3.49 in Wesley Chapel, and $3.29 and $3.49 in Lutz, according to GasBuddy.com.

 

Adopt a pet for free on Saturday

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It was originally intended just for students, but the Pasco County Animal Shelter is expanding its free adoption event at the Land O’ Lakes facility on July 26.

“We hope our efforts to allow free adoptions for everybody on Saturday will relieve overcrowding,” said animal services manager Mike Shumate, in a release. “So anyone who wants to bring a pet to a loving home can adopt for free for one day only.”

All adoption fees will be waived Saturday for animals that have been spayed or neutered, microchipped, and brought up-to-date on their vaccines.

The adoption center is located at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes. It’s opening Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m., and at the same times on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Thursdays, it’s open from noon to 6:30 p.m.

For information, visit PascoCountyFl.net/PAS, or call (813) 929-1212.

Florida Hospital contributes $2M to MOSI theater

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It’s been a while since the Imax theater at the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa had an overhaul. But with a $2 million check from Florida Hospital’s West Florida Region, visitors are expecting a “transformational” experience.

The investment, which was announced Friday at the Fowler Avenue museum, will allow MOSI to transform the Imax Dome Theatre from film to a state-of-the-art digital 3-D projection system.

With it, the name of the theater will change to the Florida Hospital Imax Dome Theatre, and will be one of the first science centers in the nation to convert its dome theater from film to digital.

“By moving to a digital 3-D format, we will be able to offer more movies that will attract additional and new visitors to MOSI, which is an important revenue source that will help with the long-term sustainability of the museum,” said Molly Demeulenaere, MOSI’s vice president of growth, in a release.

Both MOSI and Florida Hospital have created a program called “Florida Hospital Presents Live SX,” producing an interactive experience where Florida Hospital surgeons will perform routine surgeries that will be broadcast live in MOSI’s Coleman Science Works Theater for middle school, high school and college students. The program is designed to create interest in students, and help guide them toward healthcare careers.

“As a museum of science and industry, MOSI has the potential to be a model of new technology and innovation, and we believe this is the perfect investment in a highly valued community asset,” said Mike Schultz, president and chief executive of Florida Hospital’s west region, in a release. “Our hospitals use technology and innovation every day to elevate healthcare in the communities that we serve, and we are committed to giving back to the Tampa Bay community. Our goal is to work together with MOSI so we can ultimately help inspire the next generation of healthcare providers.”

The Imax dome image is 10 times larger than a conventional 35mm frame, and three times larger than a standard 70mm frame.

“We are so excited to be partnering with Florida Hospital to continue bringing amazing Imax experiences to the Tampa Bay community,” said Wit Ostrenko, MOSI’s president and chief executive, in a release.

The new partnership will focus on creating new programs, enhancing existing science education, and advancing public interest, knowledge and understanding of science, industry and technology. Florida Hospital officials say it will provide life-changing experiences for families, and support young men and women considering careers in the fields of medicine.

Florida Hospital West Florida Region, part of Adventist Health System, is a 1,257-bed hospital system composed of nine hospitals, including Florida Hospital at Connerton Long Term Acute Care, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

MOSI is the largest science center in the Southeast with 400,000 square feet of exhibits. For more information on the museum, visit MOSI.org.

Visit Florida provides financial boost to Pigz in Z’Hills

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The annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest is getting a big financial boost after Visit Florida announced it would provide a $2,500 advertising matching grant to the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

“The purpose of these grants is to help nonprofit entities and local governments stretch their tourism and marketing dollars in an effort to expand cultural, heritage, rural and nature tourism activities in Florida,” said Will Seccombe, president and chief executive of Visit Florida, in a release.

Pigz in Z’Hills is slated for Jan. 17 at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. Since its inception, it has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local your and education programs, and community services of the chamber. The airport venue offers opportunities for visitors to fly in from anywhere in the state, and event-goers from surrounding counties are attracted to the aviation and history attractions, as well as food and music, the chamber said.

The event was moved to the airport in 2014 to help accommodate growth and expansion, and attracted more than 6,000 people to that year’s event, with some flying in from places like Boca Raton, Jacksonville and Miami

Junior Woman’s Club hosting unique bingo fundraiser

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Local woman’s club groups always have found interesting ways to raise money for projects in the past, but the GFWC Pasco Junior Woman’s Club may have discovered the most fascinating way yet.

The organization is readying for its summer fundraiser as part of “Drag Queen Bingo” night at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City on July 29. The restaurant chain is popular for its bingo games, designed to be humorous but effective in raising money, led by cross-dressing entertainers that attract a diverse group of players.

Check-in for bingo begins at 7 p.m., with the games kicking off at 7:30. Games are $10 for 10 games, with prizes provided by the club.

Proceeds benefit charities in the central Pasco County and Lutz communities, including Sunrise of Pasco, a local domestic violence shelter.

Hamburger Mary’s is located at 1600 E. Seventh Ave., in Ybor City, on the second floor of Centro Ybor. It offers a full restaurant menu and bar, but does have limited seating on bingo nights. Because of that, the Junior Woman’s Club is recommending reservations, which can be made by calling (813) 241-6279.

Saint Leo University named a great place to work

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Saint Leo University might be a good place to go to school, but now it’s being recognized as a great place to work.

A new survey from The Chronicle of Higher Education is honoring the St. Leo institution in 10 categories including collaboration and governance, compensation and benefits, senior leadership confidence, facilities, job satisfaction, and respect and appreciation.

The seventh annual report on the academic workplace is based on a survey of more than 43,500 employees at 278 colleges and universities. Less than a third of those institutions achieved any recognition at all, with Saint Leo ranked kong those with 10,000 or more students.

By rating highly in 10 out of 12 categories, Saint Leo also was named a 2014 Honor Roll Institution — a designation achieved by only 42 schools surveyed. This is the second year in a row that Saint Leo has earned that distinction.

“It is a recognition we do not take for granted,” said university president Arthur P. Kirk Jr., in a release. “As we commemorate our 125th anniversary, we continue to strive to provide a welcoming and respectful university community that values the needs and contributions of every individual.”

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process, which includes an institutional audit, as well as a survey administered to faculty, administrators and professional support staff.