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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Appreciating the work of lifesavers, professional eaters and county staffers

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The Pasco County Commission’s Sept. 19 agenda was packed with resolutions to celebrate the accomplishments of people from all walks of life.

It passed a resolution to celebrate the life-saving actions of teenagers Mia Watkins, Finley Watkins and Regan Barron.

Commissioners praised the accomplishments of Miki Sudo and Nick Wehry — two world-class professional eaters, who happen to live in Pasco County.

Teenage lifeguards Mia Watkins, Finley Watkins and Regan Barron, center, were honored by the Pasco County Commission for their life-saving actions. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

And, the board passed resolutions to honor the work accomplished by retiring staffers — Fire Chief Scott Cassin and Budget Director Robert Goehig.

Mia Watkins, Finley Watkins and Regan Barron positively glowed as Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles read the resolution into the record.

For her part, the clerk got a little choked up, while reading it.

“Mia and Finley were lifeguarding at Anclote River Park (on July 19) when a moment of crisis emerged in the designated swim area when a visitor swimming experienced an epileptic attack,” Sowles-Alvarez read. “Mia and Finley swiftly initiated safety protocol and rescued the patron from the water.”

Then, on Aug. 5, “Mia, Finley and Regan were on duty as lifeguards at Anclote River Park when a 2-year-old child approached the deeper portion of the designated swim area, became submerged, and lost consciousness.

“The lifeguards responded and found the 2-year-old child unresponsive and not breathing” and then “worked together to perform life-saving measures, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and rescue breathing,” the clerk read from the resolution, getting a little choked up, as she detailed what happened.

Their swift response is credited with saving the young child’s life.

They have a need for speed
Another resolution, brought forward by Commissioner Seth Weightman, heaped praise on Sudo and Wehry, professional competitive eaters who live in Pasco.

Sudo’s competitive eating career began in Las Vegas when she was a student and she entered a 12-pound bowl of pho eating challenge.

Wehry’s career began when he was talked into entering a doughnut-eating contest.

They compete in about 20 contests a year and are the highest-ranked couple in history according to Major League Eating, the official league that oversees professional eating contests worldwide.

Sudo is ranked No. 3 overall, and No. 1 for women. She is a nine-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Champion, including seven consecutive titles; she is a four-time Buffalo Wing Eating Champion; and a former tamale, turkey, rib, and a doughnut-eating champion, the resolution says.

Wehry is ranked No. 4  in the world and is a Wonderful Pistachios Eating Champion, Wings for Wishes Wing Eating Champion, and a Hard-Boiled Egg Eating Champion.

Sudo also holds world records for eating 14.5 pounds of Minnesota hot dish in 8 minutes, 48.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes, 5.5 pounds of kimchi in 8 minutes, and 16.5 pints of ice cream in 6 minutes, the resolution says.

Wehry, meanwhile, holds world records for eating 188 pistachios in 8 minutes, 50 hard-boiled eggs in 3 minutes and 4 seconds, as well as 2 gallons of pureed baby food.

Both work to raise money through various charitable events and organizations.

Nick Wehry, left, and Miki Sudo are world-class professional competitive eaters. Their unusual skills have taken them to competitions across the world, and have resulted in raising money for various charities.

They worked with Wings for Wishes, as part of a wing-eating and charity event that has raised over $850,000 for Make a Wish in South Florida and with Friends of We Care to raise over $150,000 for kids to attend summer camp programs.

They also work with Nathan’s at the hot dog-eating contest every year, where 100,000 hot dogs are donated to the food banks in New York, according to the resolution.

They are the proud parents of Max, and Miki is a loving stepmom to Nick’s other children William and Sylvie.

Weightman was thrilled the competitive eaters could fit the commission meeting into their schedule.

Sudo told board members that the resolution is an honor.

“You have a lot of serious business to tend to,” she said, adding that she hoped that she and her husband could bring a little bit of levity and laughter to the boardroom.

Wehry added: “The insanity of what we do isn’t lost on us. But to be able to represent the community, raise copious amounts of money with our absurd skill, and bring happiness to people, that’s really cool.

“I never thought I’d get to travel the world and represent a great community and raise money for those in need, by eating pistachios in a short period of time.

“I found the love of my life, and a job and a great community, through an absurd talent. It’s a strange job, but it’s a job,” he said.

Weightman said he’s been watching Sudo compete at least since 2015.

“Leading into our Fourth of July festivities, we’ve watched the Nathan’s hot-dog eating contest, as part of our Fourth of July,” he said.

When he learned the couple lived in Pasco, he wanted to bring them in.

He told them that he was “super-excited and honored, and a bit star-struck” by their appearance in the boardroom.

Before moving onto the honors involving Goehig and Cassin, Alvarez-Sowles commented: 

“The resolutions have been great. I’ve cried. I’ve laughed. This has been great.”

Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa, seated, expressed his gratitude to Budget Director Robert Goehig, during the Pasco County Commission’s Sept. 19 meeting. Carballa’s remarks came after the county board honored Goehig’s work by adopting a resolution of appreciation.

“Full range of emotions,” agreed County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano.

And now, more traditional honors
Next up, the board honored Goehig for his accomplishments as a leader and a mentor.

The resolution noted that beyond the budget director’s outstanding work ethic and fiscal guidance for the county, he “worked tirelessly during storm events and could be found in the Emergency Operations Center on the night shift as the Finance Section chief during catastrophes and disasters.

The resolution says that Goehig is leaving behind “a legacy of transparency, trust, and collaboration in budgeting.”

It also noted that Goehig is known for his work with the Florida Sterling Council in his roles as Master Examiner, Chair of the Sterling Exam Committee, Results Lead, Team Lead, and Trainer. He also received recognition with the Examiner Excellence Award in 2014.

Cassin, the retiring fire chief, was honored for his many accomplishments during his 13-year career with the county, where he rose to the rank of fire chief in 2012.

His achievements included work that improved public safety communications, enhanced safety for personnel, improved emergency services, strengthened relationships with other jurisdictions and improved fire station design.

The department added shift commanders during his tenure, new fire stations have come online, and he led the department during COVID 19, the resolution says.

Published October 04, 2023

Pasco Waste-To-Energy Facility expansion contract approved

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The Pasco County Commission has entered an agreement with Covanta Pasco Inc., for a $260-million design-build project to expand the county’s Waste-To-Energy (WTE) Facility.

The facility, at 14220 Hays Road, is used to convert solid waste into energy.

Justin Roessler, the county’s solid waste director and the board’s agenda packet provided background about the WTE facility and expansion before the board voted to approve the design-build agreement and to extend its service agreement with Covanta.

The Pasco County Commission has entered an agreement with Covanta Pasco Inc., for a $260-million design-build project to expand the county’s Waste-To-Energy (WTE) Facility, at 14220 Hays Road, Hudson, which is used to convert solid waste into energy. (Mike Camunas)

The WTE facility was built by Covanta as a result of a 1988 agreement between the county and Covanta.

The board restated its service agreement with Covanta in March of 1989, to operate and maintain the WTE facility for 20 years. That agreement has since been extended twice, with the latest agreement approved in 2013. That is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024.

In the meantime, the county’s Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Department has been planning for the future. It presented a solid waste master plan to the county board in April 2019, outlining a long-term solid waste strategy for the county.

The key component of the plan is the expansion of the WTE facility to allow all of the county’s garbage to be converted into renewable energy.

That will reduce the volume of the waste that goes to the landfill and provide a source of energy.

The county board authorized county staff on Feb. 18, 2020, to begin negotiations with Covanta for a 10-year service agreement, which will extend to 2034, and to work out a design-build agreement with Covanta for the WTE expansion.

The board then voted on Dec. 7, 2021 to award Covanta a Stage 1 design and pre-procurement services contract to develop the expansion up to a 30% design level of effort and to secure more firm commitments from large equipment suppliers. Then, on Aug. 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law.

That law provides financial incentives and tax credits for renewable energy projects.

The WTE expansion qualifies under IRA, provided it meets certain labor and domestic material requirements.

Roessler told the board that the fourth boiler will come online at the WTE facility, enabling it to convert more garbage to energy and avoid using landfill space.

When the boiler comes online in 2026, the county will get a 6.6% reduction in the overall per pound cost, he said.

Here’s an overview of the county’s agreements:

Design-build agreement:

  • This includes a $260 million agreement for the design-build of the WTE facility. This includes a $30 million contingency fund, in case of supply chain, construction or other cost increases. If the contingency fund isn’t depleted, the parties will split the difference.
  • The project will have a 36-month time frame, which breaks down this way: Design and off-site fabrication, will be finished in fall 2024; Construction, finished in summer 2026; First firing and commissioning, finished in summer 2026; commercial operation: September 2026.

Agreement terms also include $29,500 per day for liquidated damages in the event that Covanta fails to reach full commercial operation by the 36-month contract end date.

The parties also have agreed to a drawdown schedule to ensure the county’s maximum monthly obligation relating to payments for the WTE expansion construction. That schedule will enable the county to effectively manage its cash reserves and borrowing.

Pasco County Chairman Jack Mariano praised Roessler for his work connected to achieving the agreement.

“Justin, this is a phenomenal contract that you negotiated. It’s been a long-term plan for us to expand this for many, many years, for all of the great reasons you cited,” Mariano said.

County Administrator Mike Carballa also congratulated Roessler, his team and the county attorney’s office for successfully bringing the contract forward for the board’s approval.

“This is a complex deal,” Carballa said. “They come in and they make it look easy, but this has been four years of negotiations — many ups and downs. There were some parts and times when we didn’t think we were going to get there. But hat’s off, too, to our partner at Covanta, as well. This is truly a team effort. But my compliments to you, Justin, and the infrastructure team for getting it here.”

Published October 04, 2023

Pasco’s budget is lean on new initiatives

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While the tax increase for fire services dominated the discussion at Pasco County’s final budget hearing on Sept. 19, the overall spending plan covers everything from pay raises to increased code enforcement to athletic field maintenance.

Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa told the Pasco County Commission that the county’s budget was thoroughly scrubbed, to keep it as lean as possible before he presented it to the board. (File)

During its discussion of increasing the Fire Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) millage rate from 1.8 mills to 2.1225 mills, county board members agreed to reduce the operating millage from 7.6076 mills to 7.57 mills.

One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value.

In reducing the operating millage, the board directed County Administrator Mike Carballa to make across-the-board cuts, including the budgets of the county’s constitutional officers, where that’s legally possible.

At both public hearings on the $2.1 billion budget, Budget Director Robert Goehig offered an overview and covered some of the spending plan’s highlights.

“Last year, we were here talking about the record height of new construction in Pasco County,” Goehig told the board.

But it turns out this year’s new construction surpassed last year’s mark by about $500 million.

“We’re almost at $2.5 billion in new construction values in Pasco County,” Goehig said.

However, at the same time, he said: “Inflation is taking its toll on our ability to meet customer demands. We have growth in demand for services.”

Here are some of the highlights for this year’s budget:

  • Health insurance costs are going up because of inflation.
  • The county also must increase its contributions to employee retirement costs because of a state mandate.
  • The county has assumed operations of the detention center from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and is facing renewal on contracts that are expected to cost more. A 15% increase has been budgeted for those renewals.
  • The county has earmarked $1 million Pasco Hope, to address homelessness.
  • Additional staff is being hired, including an animal services officer, five code enforcement officers and detention center crew leaders.
  • Additional funding is being provided to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) to cover the cost of 10 additional deputies.
  • A 5% wage increase is planned for county employees.
  • Operations of Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, now being run by the county, $300,000

Highlights in the capital budget include:

  • Building renovations and upkeep: $5.8 million
  • IT hardware and software: $1.4 million
  • Parks and recreation athletic fields: $300,000
  • Parks maintenance: $1 million
  • Pinehill Park improvements: $1.4 million
  • Detention Center expansion: $2.9 million
  • Magnolia Valley Park, phase one: $5 million
  • Seven Oaks Library: $5 million

Funding to outside sources, includes: 

  • $19,500 in additional funding for Pasco Kids, which provides examinations for children who are thought to be victims of abuse
  • $85,000 in additional funds to United Way, which has not received an increase since 2015

About 40% of the increase in property tax revenues will go to the PSO, as part of an agreement between the county and the sheriff. The split previously was 50-50, but the county decreased it to 40%, after taking over jail operations.

Most of the increases in the budgets for the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office, the Property Appraiser’s Office, the Supervisor of Elections Office and the Tax Collector’s Office are  related to wage hikes and higher costs for retirement and health care.

The Supervisor of Elections Office also will have additional expenses because of the Presidential Preference Primary and local elections in August, and some funding has been earmarked for the clerk’s office to pay for updates to the criminal justice system software, Goehig said.

Published October 04, 2023

Pasco scores grant for New River debris project

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a cooperative grant agreement between the county and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), relating to cleaning up debris in New River, in an area of Wesley Chapel.

The agreement calls for the project cost not to exceed $1,799,712, according to materials in the county board’s Sept. 19 agenda packet.

The Pasco County Commission has approved a cooperative grant agreement between the county and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), relating to cleaning up debris in New River, in an area of Wesley Chapel. The agreement calls for the project cost not to exceed $1,799,712. (Mike Camunas)

The project funding is related to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, which caused a significant amount of damage in the New River waterway, on Sept. 28, 2022.

Hurricane Ian littered the waterway with debris, branches and fallen trees, in an area between Betts Drive and Creek Road.

That debris impeded the river’s flow and has created potential risks to life and/or property.

The county’s public works department is undertaking a project to restore the impacted section of the New River to pre-storm conditions by removing the debris, branches and fallen trees.

The public works department applied for a grant from the NRCS to help pay for the project, under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program of the federal Flood Control Act of 1950. 

The public works department received word on April 17, 2023, that its grant had been approved.

Under the grant, the NRCS will provide 75% of construction costs, which totals $1,249,800, and all technical assistance costs up to 8% of construction costs, up to $133,3120, for a total of up to $1,383,112 in federal funding.

The county is expected to provide the remaining 25% of the cost, which equals $416,600, as well as any technical assistance costs that exceed the federally funded amount.

The cooperative grant is a cost reimbursement grant.

The county will spend the budgeted funds and then request reimbursement. The county has until March 1, 2024 to complete the eligible work.

Published October 04, 2023

Zephyrhills approves 2023-2024 fiscal budget

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The City of Zephyrhills has adopted a budget of slightly less than $106.5 million.

The Zephyrhills City Council has approved a millage rate of 6.25 for the 2023-20224 fiscal year. One mill equals $1 for every thousand dollars of taxable value.

The City of Zephyrhills approved its 2023-2024 fiscal budget, with the tab coming in at just over $106 million, a $6 million increase from last year. (Mike Camunas)

This is the fifth time, out of the past six budgets, that the city has increased its spending plan.

The millage rate approved on July 24 is expected to generate $7,990,644 of ad valorem tax revenue for the general fund. 

The council adopted a budget of $106,470,399 for the coming fiscal year, up slightly from the previous year, at its Sept. 25 meeting.

Total expenditures for the 2022-2023 budget were $100,621,184.

The city — Pasco County’s largest municipality — now has an estimated property valuation of more than $1.1 billion. It also has a steadily increasing population, which is now approaching nearly 20,000.

Several ongoing projects in the city, however, were part of last year’s budget, including the city’s massive sidewalk construction project spanning approximately 10,500 linear feet in areas surrounding West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

The city earmarked $1 million of the 2022-2023 fiscal budget — which is a 33% increase from the previous year — specifically to address this sidewalk project, which is expected to be completed in June 2024.

Funds for the sidewalk project, as well as other projects, such as the Hercules Park project, were made available through the Penny for Pasco initiative, which was renewed through Dec. 31, 2039 in the municipal elections in November 2022.

Published October 04, 2023

Merger is pending for Dade City and Zephyrhills chambers

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The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce are discussing a merger to become the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The chambers announced the pending merger in a news release on Sept. 28.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce are discussing a pending merger to become the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the two chambers announced on Sept. 28. (Mike Camunas)

Discussions of a possible merger have popped up in the past and now the two groups are in the planning stages to create a single business support organization.

They are expected to combine their efforts to “continue to strengthen and enhance the businesses throughout East Pasco.
By uniting their efforts they will be able to bring “new cooperative marketing opportunities, workforce development strategies and a stronger combined effort for advocacy,” the release says.

During the coming weeks, committees will address how to preserve traditions, while assisting area businesses to help build prosperity.

“The merger aims to enhance the organization’s presence in the area including workforce development, membership services, small business networking, mentoring, growth opportunities and a broader impact in this fast-growing economic environment,” the release adds.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce has been operating as a successful trade association organization for over 50 years and represents over 430 businesses, associations, nonprofits, and individuals throughout Pasco County, according to the release.

Membership in The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce includes businesses, government agencies, public-private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and individuals with a shared interest in preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Zephyrhills, the release says.

The East Pasco Chamber Foundation is incorporated in the State of Florida as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is dedicated to advancing the quality of life in East Pasco through education, leadership, economic development, and community enhancement.

Revised October 03, 2023

Pasco residents will pay a new tax to cover costs for residential road improvements

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Pasco County is proceeding with a new tax assessment to cover the costs for residential road projects.

The new tax is expected to be on tax bills sent out in November 2024.

The Residential Road Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) will replace the county’s Paving Assessment (PVAS) system, that’s been used for decades.

Pasco County plans to institute a Municipal Services Taxing Unit tax to pay for local road improvement projects. The system will replace the decades-old Paving Assessment (PVAS) program. Plans call for sending out tax bills with the new assessment beginning in November 2024. (File)

The PVAS system required the owners of a majority of property along a street that would benefit from the program to agree to proceed with the paving.

Once agreement was reached, the Pasco County Commission would consider the PVAS application, and if approved, all of the property owners on the street would be assessed for the improvement, whether they wanted the improvement or not.

The program pitted neighbors against neighbors.

In some cases, owners of the majority of the land would not agree to the improvement.

In other cases, property owners along a street pleaded to the county board for relief, citing an inability to pay.

Additionally, the PVAS system had no funding for maintenance or repairs of dangerous sidewalks.

Those issues are expected to be addressed through the new Residential Local Road Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU).

The county board voted on Sept. 19 to continue the county’s pursuit of the MSTU to replace PVAS.

The new MSTU will show up on tax bills, creating a source of revenue to pay for local road projects, maintenance, and in limited cases, sidewalk projects.

The boundaries of the new Residential Local Road MSTU includes all unincorporated areas of Pasco County, except for parcels that currently — or in the future — are subject to or within the boundaries of an Active PVAS; and, parcels within a Homeowners’ Association or Community Development District that maintains its private roads.

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

Justin Grant, public infrastructure fiscal and business administration director, said the goal is to proceed with the new system in time to include the MSTU assessments on the tax bills that will be sent out in November 2024.

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

Grant said the new system will provide a source of funds to pay for incremental maintenance, which ultimately allows roads to last longer and to avoid the need for high-cost repairs.

The new system also will allow the county to complete some sidewalk work, but only in cases where the sidewalk is affiliated with a local road project, and when it is deemed to pose safety issues.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said the county must use due care, when it comes to sidewalks.

Once the county does any sort of maintenance on a sidewalk, it becomes the county’s responsibility, Steinsnyder said.

Published October 04, 2023. This story was revised on Oct. 04, 2023.

The pros, cons of requiring road connections

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On the one hand, motorists benefit when there’s more than one way to get through an area.

On the other, creating roadway connections between new developments and existing neighborhoods can cause disruptions to the peace and quiet of residential life.

That’s the gist of a discussion that came up during the Sept. 21 Pasco County Planning Commission meeting when an applicant was seeking a waiver from a county requirement that calls for creating connection from new developments, on all four sides of the property.

The discussion came up during the review of an application from Mary Burke and Thomas Schrader to allow up to 625 multi-family units and 106,686 square feet of commercial uses on 57.49 acres, north of County Road 52 and east of Interstate 75.

Pasco County Planning Commission requiring roadway connections between new developments and existing neighborhoods could cause cut-through issues for the residential areas on Oak Street and Florida Avenue, in San Antonio, for example. (Mike Camunas)

The land is part of Connected City, a sizable area that was designated years ago for a greater intensity of development, job creation, high speed internet and good connections within the area, either through golf cart paths, roads or both.

The applicants sought permission to eliminate required connections on the west and on the east.

County staff agreed to the waiver on the west side of the property because there’s a Category 3 wetland and a self-story business that would impede connecting there.

But county planners rejected the request for the waiver to the east.

They determined that an interconnection to the east is feasible at Oak Street and Florida Avenue.

Christie Barreiro, of Heidt Design, represented the applicants during the public hearing.

She told the planning board that her client is proposing three access points into the project, two from County Road 52 and another one at a new vision road being built through Connected City.

“We feel that we have those three access roads, one to the east isn’t necessary for development,” she said.

She also noted that providing the connection suggested by county staff could create a cut-through issue for the residential areas on Oak Street and Florida Avenue, in San Antonio.

“Oak Street is the north-south street and Florida Avenue is the east-west,” she said, noting both streets are maintained by the City of San Antonio.

“There are eight single-family homes on Oak Street.

“There are eight additional parcels on the north side of Florida Avenue, not all of them have homes on them. The south side of Florida Avenue has two property owners, multiple parcels but only two property owners,” she said.

She said her clients believe that full access on Oak Street would not be welcomed by the nearby residents in San Antonio.

She also noted that the roads are not currently up to county standards and requiring her clients to bring one of those roads up to county standards would be an undue burden.

County Attorney David Goldstein asked Barreiro: “Why not connect to the northeast?”

She responded that could be a possibility.

Goldstein said if that occurs, no waiver would be needed.

Brad Tippin, the county’s development manager, said county staff was attempting to create a way to create access to Curley Street.

But Goldstein replied: “It seems to me that it would be more important to be able to connect to property within Connected City. Connected City was given that name for many reasons. Part of it was interconnectivity. I’m not sure why we’re not connecting to other property in Connected City.”

Planning board member Jon Moody said he understands that establishing connections between developments is a high priority with at least one Pasco County commissioner, and possibly others, as well.

But Moody noted forcing such connections can have negative consequences in established neighborhoods.

He said he understands the general need for requiring interconnectivity, but he added, individual situations must be considered.

“I’ll point to a couple of examples where an interconnect has destroyed a neighborhood,” Moody said.

“Fox Hollow Drive, between U.S. 19 and Little Road. You took a wonderful, quiet street and have turned it into a cut-through that’s a de facto highway. I would never walk on one of the sidewalks along Fox Hollow Drive. That would be taking your life into your hands. And, if I had children, I could never live along Fox Hollow Drive.

“Jasmine (road), same thing. We took a street, we cut it from U.S. 19 to Little Road. We have interconnection and now we made it miserable for residents who live along that road.

“Connections can be good, but we can’t do them at the expense of a neighborhood.”

Moody added that he appreciates the applicant’s respect for existing residents.

“Sometimes we have to apply some common sense to some of this.

“All interconnects are not the same. They’re not one size-fits-all. And, we can’t destroy a neighborhood for the sake of providing an interconnection. We have to look to make sure it’s a responsible interconnection,” Moody said.

Planning board member Jaime Girardi made the motion for approval, which the planning board supported. The approved motion does not require the connection to the east to the residential streets in San Antonio that had been suggested by county staff.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission for final action.

Published October 04, 2023

A Sense of Place

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Way of the Water
Frances V. Innace, of Zephyrhills, snapped this shot of one of downtown Zephyrhills’ murals on Sept. 23. This mural, titled ‘Ocea,’ which means water goddess in Greek mythology, was painted by Jonathan Sierra and unveiled in May 2021 and is on the south-facing wall of 5210 Seventh St., also home to Painted Pixie hair salon. ‘I think it’s great artwork!’ Innace said, ‘and sort of symbolic of Zephyrhills, since it’s known for its bottled water.’
Swamp Thing
Barry White, of Land O’ Lakes, grabbed this picture of a cypress swamp near Ehren Cutoff in Land O’ Lakes.

If you’d like an image to be considered for publication, please email it to . Please add a sentence or two, describing when and where you took the photo and what the image means to you. Be sure to include who took the photo, where he or she lives and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crossroads
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Photographer Mike Camunas shot this pic of the intersection of Robinson Avenue and Seventh Street, outside the Dade City Brew House in downtown Dade City in July.
Out to Pasture
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Photographer Mike Camunas got this pic of a sunset going down over the fields just off State Road 52 in Land O’ Lakes in August.

 

Water management district approves $224.8 million budget

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board has approved a $224.8 million budget for fiscal year 2024, according to a news release.

The budget includes about $92.4 million in cooperative funding initiatives and district grants for water resources projects.

Key initiatives include:

  • $65.2 million for development of alternative water supplies to ensure an adequate supply of water resources for all existing and future reasonable and beneficial uses
  • $17.8 million for Watershed Management Program plans to support flood plain management decisions and initiatives, and projects to address potential and existing flooding problems
  • $17.1 million for the management and improvement of critical flood control and water conservation structures, canals, culverts and levees
  • $6.6 million for springs initiatives to improve water quality and clarity of springs and spring-fed rivers, as well as restore their natural habitats

Through cooperative funding partnerships, the water management district will leverage funds for a total regional investment of more than $175 million for sustainable alternative water supply development, water quality improvements and other water resource management projects, the news release says.

For the 12th straight year, the governing board adopted a millage rate that is equal to, or less than, the rolled-back millage rate. 

The adopted millage rate for the coming fiscal year is 0.2043 mill, 9.6% lower than the current fiscal year. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value.

The water management district’s new rate will save taxpayers an estimated $13.9 million in property taxes, according to the release.

Published October 04, 2023