Local News

It’s not too late for a hurricane checklist

July 18, 2023 By Mary Rathman

Florida is in the midst of its hurricane season, which started June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

After assessing damages done from hurricanes in the past few years, Floridians are encouraged to have at least seven days of supplies, including food, water, medicine and batteries, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management website.

Every family and business is advised to stock up adequately and to prepare to face the season.

The Emergency Management group offers affordable disaster prep tips such as picking up at least one nonperishable food item on every grocery trip to build a disaster supply kit over time.

Items can include, but are not limited to: canned fruits, vegetables and meats; bottled water; nonperishable pasteurized milk; protein or fruit bars; dry cereal or granola; and peanut butter.

Visit FloridaDisaster.org/kit to download and print a checklist that covers first aid, documents, food and water, pet care items, clothing, phone numbers, vehicles, and general items such as medications, cash, cellphone chargers, and books and games for children.

For information about planning for any disaster and preparedness tips, visit FloridaDisaster.org or Ready.gov/.

For business owners who want to ensure their ability to continue business after a disaster, visit FloridaDisaster.org/business/planning-for-businesses/, to start planning.

Published July 19, 2023

Pasco tax collector wants to stop sending tax bills for less than $10

July 18, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

If your tax bill is less than $10, Pasco County Tax Collector won’t be sending you that bill — effective next year.

But Mike Fasano wants to notify taxpayers of that change this year.

The Pasco County Commission agreed to Fasano’s request to stop sending the bills during its July 11 meeting.

But that won’t be official until the board adopts a resolution to that effect.

The fiscal breakdown from the tax collector’s analysis was included in the county board’s agenda packet.

It shows that Fasano’s office is losing money when it sends out the bills for less than $10.

The estimated cost for printing and mailing the notice is $23,210.34. The total collected, if paid, would be $11,240.99. That results in a loss of $11,969.35 for sending the notices to those owing less than $10.

Fasano said that most of the under-$10 tax bills are mineral rights notices.

“If you know anything about mineral rights, it’s the most ridiculous thing ever created by the state of Florida.

“They don’t get paid, first of all.

“Then we have to send reminder notices. Then, we have to advertise them.

“And the only one who can buy the certificate, if they wanted to, is the people that own the property on top of those mineral rights.”

Fasano told the board if they can adopt the resolution this year, he can let people know in this year’s mailing that if their tax bill is less than $10, this is the last notice they’ll receive.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey made a motion to approve Fasano’s request, which was seconded by Commissioner Ron Oakley.

But County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told board members they can’t approve the request until a resolution is prepared for their action.

“If that’s the board’s inclination, we can put that back on the Aug. 8 agenda,” Steinsnyder said.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano told Fasano: “I think it’s unanimous with the board to move forward with it, so happy to do it. Thank you for bringing it forward.”

Published July 19, 2023

Pasco seeks to work around state restriction on design efforts

July 11, 2023 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has been talking for months about creating design standards to ensure that residential development on small lots takes aesthetics into account.

The board has identified architectural options to reduce the monotony often found in “cookie-cutter” subdivisions and it desires increased landscaping to enhance the attractiveness of neighborhoods.

But the board’s intentions could be thwarted by the Legislature’s adoption of Senate Bill 1604. That bill, widely referred to as the ‘Reedy Creek Bill,’ stripped Walt Disney World of its special status. But it also eliminated local governments’ ability to mandate building design requirements for residential developments, planned unit developments and master-planned unit developments (MPUDs).

Pasco board members expressed frustration about the SB 1604’s restrictions.

The Pasco County Commission prefers residential developments to have trees, to help enhance the beauty of neighborhoods. They have other ideas, too, on how to create attractive places for residents. Under a new state law, the board cannot dictate aesthetic requirements, but developers remain free to self-impose standards as part of a negotiation to have their zoning requests approved. (Mike Camunas)

Commissioner Seth Weightman noted: “I think our board has looked at quality and value of our building products, kicking off (in) 2023 with our new board.”

The board’s discussions have involved adding requirements for housing developments that include lots with widths of 40-feet and 50-feet, to avoid a plain-label look with too much pavement and too few trees.

The board also has been working with the development community and the Tampa Bay Builders Association to identify how to maintain a quality look and feel in construction of new residential projects.

“I don’t think that we just want to bluntly have to say ‘No,’ or vote ‘No,’ on certain products. “We want to be able to massage it and get what’s best for that area,” Weightman said.

The county wants to ensure that the housing products it approves look good, which also is in the best interest of the homeowner, the county board member said.

The issue came up for discussion during the board’s June 20 meeting, during an update on actions taken during the last session of the Florida Legislature.

Shawn Foster, of Sunrise Consulting, lobbied for the county during the session, as did Ralph Lair, the county’s intergovernmental affairs officer.

Foster said an effort was made to get the bill amended, at the county board’s request.

“We were told adamantly, ‘No. It is not happening. We’re not changing it.’ They were very adamant,” Foster said.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said if the board can’t require the developers to enhance their projects, the county has another option.

“We don’t have to have 40- or 50-foot (wide) lots. If they don’t build something nice for our county, we don’t have to have that,” Oakley said.

But Weightman maintained: “We want to have the discretion to approve the appropriate product, building product, in the appropriate space.

“Regardless of how large or small, the lot size or the house is, we want a good quality home for our residents to live In and be proud of what’s here, and I hope the builder is proud of what they’ve built here,” Weightman said.

“We’re being forced to potentially make a hard-line decision, where we wouldn’t maybe necessarily have to do that,” the county board member said.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, reminded the county board: “This bill does not prevent a developer from imposing their own private architectural requirements.

“So what’s happened since this bill took effect, I’ve seen at least three or four projects that were 40- and 50-foot lots. They’re putting new language in their MPUDs that the developer, on their own, will impose these restrictions on themselves.”

Oakley said he has seen some improvements in some developments with 40- and 50-foot lots.

“We have a lot of guys stepping to the table, to do better landscaping, better architecture, and they’re willing to do that.

“The ones who aren’t willing to do that don’t have to build here. They can build somewhere else,” Oakley said.

The county plans to take a more proactive stance before the next legislative session, which will be early because of the 2024 elections.

Committee meetings start the week of Sept. 18 and will be held during October, November and December before the first day of the session begins on Jan. 9, Lair said.

Lair said the county wants to change its posture before the session begins.

“We hate always playing defense, up in Tallahassee, when they won’t consider amendments during the process. They only give you a couple of minutes to discuss your point.

“Why not meet with them before they start their committee meetings.

“Some of our surrounding counties do this. They have a workshop,” he said, similar to the workshops the county does with its municipalities.

“My proposal is that we do a workshop with the state and the federal delegation. Bring them in for about two hours,” Lair said.

He suggested having the workshop a week before the legislators have their first committee meetings.

The board agreed to the approach, so Lair will be seeking to set that up.

Published July 12, 2023

North Tampa Bay Chamber vying for title of nation’s best

July 11, 2023 By B.C. Manion

The North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) is once again competing for top honors among chambers across the nation.

It is among three finalists in its category, competing for the title of 2023 Chamber of the Year Award. There are four categories in the competition, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), which is based in Alexandria, Virginia.

To ensure the fairest competition, applicants are grouped into categories based on annual revenue, membership, area population and other factors.

The ACCE has members affiliated with more than 1,600 chambers of commerce, and related business and economic development organizations. In total, it represents more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber came out against a temporary moratorium in a portion of Pasco County relating to the development of multifamily housing. Hope Kennedy, the chamber’s president and CEO, said the word ‘moratorium’ sends a bad message to the entire development community, undermining efforts to provide needed housing. (Mike Camunas)

In announcing its selection as a finalist, the NTBC sent this message to its members: “The award, sponsored by Personify, is the most prestigious and competitive recognition presented annually by ACCE. It recognizes the leadership role chambers of commerce have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, economic prosperity, and quality of life.”

In its announcement, the NTBC also included a statement from Sheree Anne Kelly, the ACCE’s president and CEO.

“This year’s finalists truly represent excellence in the chamber industry. Through their roles as community partners, thought leaders and innovative problem solvers, each has demonstrated what it means to be a catalyst for growth and regional prosperity,” Kelly’s statement says.

Hope Kennedy, president and CEO of the NTBC, said being selected as a finalist “is an absolute honor.

“It is a true testament to the work that we’ve all done over the last year. More importantly, being back-to-back (as a finalist) is such a great opportunity to showcase our chamber on the national stage,” she said.

Justin Keeney, the chamber board’s current chairman, noted the NTBC was the only chamber in the group of finalists vying for the top honor for the second year in a row.

“We’re super excited. We’re happy to represent the region.

“To Hope’s credit, a lot of work is behind that nomination in getting to this part of the process,” Keeney said.

Kennedy believes the chamber was singled out because of its programs.

“ACCE did a Horizons Report several years ago on chambers and how to get your chamber to the next level. We’ve always used that as kind of our navigational beacon,” she said.

In answering questions in the contest application, the chamber tied its responses directly to different aspects to that Horizons Report, Kennedy said.

Two programs highlighted in the chamber’s application covered the issues of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) and the need for affordable housing.

“Those two topics were very timely,” Kennedy said.

“The ERTC was little-known, probably even in the chamber industry,” she said.

The chamber put together a web page and video regarding the tax credit, to help its members understand who qualified and how to seek the credit.

Some chamber members said they had not applied because they didn’t qualify, but Keeney said the rules had changed and some applicants who previously had not qualified became eligible.

The chamber did a follow-up survey and was able to quantify that its members received $3.2 million through the tax credit, Keeney said, adding, “that’s just what we know.”

“It’s meaningful money for our small businesses,” he added.

In the arena of affordable housing, the chamber played an active role in advocating against a temporary moratorium imposed on new multifamily development in a portion of Pasco County.

Kennedy said the chamber sought “to educate the (Pasco County) commission, to educate our members, to educate our community on the fact that developers don’t come into an oversaturated market.”

The chamber’s position was that “the politics of multifamily housing should be put to the side — that we need to focus on attainable housing for the future,” the chamber president said.

Keeney noted affordable housing is needed to provide a place for front-line personnel to live in Pasco.

“Everybody likes to have police and firefighters and EMTs (emergency medical technicians) in our backyards, but if those folks can’t afford to live there, that’s a big problem.

“They can’t afford the rent. They can’t afford single-family homes.

“It became a real issue,” he said.

Kennedy said when the word “moratorium” is associated with a community, it has a trickle-down effect and is harmful to all developers. She said efforts must continue to address the shortage of housing needed for Pasco’s workforce.

When it announced its selection as a finalist, the NTBC also explained the award competition’s process. Chambers must qualify by meeting minimum thresholds in at least three of five key performance areas in ACCE’s Annual Chamber Operations Survey, including net revenue and assets, membership account retention and membership dollar retention, the chamber’s posting said.

They also must complete an extensive application. Applications are scored by peer chamber executives to determine the finalists. Winners are selected from among finalists based on an interview before a panel of experienced chamber professionals.

Kennedy will be joined in that July 31 interview by Javan Grant, the NTBC’s board chairman last year.

Other Florida organizations making it to the final round in their division are The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and the Orlando Economic Partnership.

The winner in each division will be announced on Aug. 1, during the Awards Show at ACCE’s Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Published July 12, 2023

Traffic at median on U.S. 41 and Asbel Road to be redirected

July 11, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The U.S. 41 median at Asbel Road in Land O’ Lakes closed and began reconstruction work July 10. It will remain closed to all vehicles around-the-clock until approximately the afternoon of July 17.

Traffic is being redirected at the median at U.S. 41 and Asbel Road in Land O’ Lakes, to allow reconstruction work to be done. (Mike Camunas)

The Florida Department of Transportation recommends the following detours for drivers and residents of these adjoining neighborhoods:

Northbound U.S. 41 to westbound Asbel Road: Continue north past Asbel Road, U-turn at Mossy Timber Boulevard., go south on U.S. 41 and turn right onto westbound Asbel Road.
Southbound U.S. 41 to eastbound Asbel Road: Continue south past Asbel Road, U-turn at Ensemble Boulevard, go north on U.S. 41 and turn right onto eastbound Asbel Road.
Eastbound Asbel Road to Northbound U.S. 41: Turn right from Asbel Road onto southbound U.S. 41, U-turn at Ensemble Boulevard, then go north on U.S. 41.
Eastbound Asbel Road continuing east across U.S. 41: Turn right from Asbel Road onto southbound U.S. 41, U-turn at Ensemble Boulevard to go north on U.S. 41, then turn right onto eastbound Asbel Road.
Westbound Asbel Road to Southbound U.S. 41: Turn right from Asbel Road onto northbound U.S. 41, U-turn at Mossy Timber Boulevard, then go south on U.S. 41.
Westbound Asbel Road continuing west across U.S. 41: Turn right from Asbel Road onto northbound U.S. 41, U-turn at Mossy Timber Boulevard to go south on U.S. 41, then turn right onto westbound Asbel Road.

For U.S. 41 project information and to sign up to receive alerts, visit FDOTTampaBay.com/project/257/256324-2-52-01.

Published July 12, 2023

County board approves new sprinkler system, concert series and other items

July 11, 2023 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has awarded a contract to Sprinkler Solutions of Florida to replace the irrigation system at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, off Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

The contract amount is in an amount not-to-exceed (NTE) $942,643, according to backup materials in the board’s agenda packet. The project is among the list of Go Bonds Capital Projects, which is being supported by a voter-approved general obligation bond to support projects for the county’s Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources department.

In another action, the county board approved spending $2,400 for a concert series to be launched at the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, in the Starkey Ranch subdivision, off State Road 54.

Pasco County Commission has awarded a contract to Sprinkler Solutions of Florida to replace the irrigation system at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.
(Mike Camunas)

An introductory concert was held May 20 and it will be followed by a six-part series, running from September 2023 to February 2024. The county board approved funding in the amount of $300 in its fiscal 2023 budget and will include $2,100 in funding in its 2024 budget.

In other action, during its June 20 meeting, the county board:

• Approved $1,660,000 for temporary labor services in contracts it has with Personnel Solutions Plus LLC; Ad-Vance Personnel Services Inc., d/b/a Ad-Vance Talent Solutions; and Mainzer Management Inc., d/b/a Techstaff.

The board approved the award of a bid for temporary labor services to these companies to provide job candidate sourcing, recruiting, screening, and placement services for various job types, as necessary, based on fluctuating or unique workloads.

On Aug. 24, the board approved funding for temporary services with Personnel, Ad-Vance, and Mainzer, in the annual not-to-exceed (NTE) amount of $197,833 in fiscal year 2022; $579,800 in fiscal year 2023; $622,800 in fiscal year 2024; and $670,100 for fiscal year 2025; $722,110 in fiscal year 2026; and $517,105 for fiscal year 2027, for a cumulative NTE amount of

$3,309,748 for the five-year contract.

Additional funding is needed, according to agenda materials, to assist the Public Infrastructure Branch because of higher-than-expected workloads and vacancies.

These services will be used by multiple departments within the Public Infrastructure Branch, including utilities customer information and services; utilities engineering and contract management; public infrastructure fiscal and business administration; solid waste and resource recovery; and, utilities operations and maintenance.

The new cumulative amount for the five-year contract is $4,969,748.

• Approved the purchase of model number T7 tasers, various accessories, virtual reality training equipment, additional equipment if necessary, and a 60-month duty cartridge replacement program, in a not-to-exceed amount of $735,000. This purchase is being made using a Sourcewell Contract, with Axon Enterprise, Inc.

The Corrections Department currently has 144 tasers issued to the county’s correctional officers. The tasers are nearing the end of their life cycle. The purchase will replace current tasers and allow the Corrections Department to transition to a new platform, supported by Axon, prior to the completion of the jail’s expansion, when additional staff and equipment will be needed.

Published July 12, 2023

Public invited to help Pasco shape its future

July 11, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco County will host its second series of workshops to invite public involvement in the update of the county’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan, according to a county news release.

The workshops will be at:

Elsie Logan Memorial Park, at 15830 Greenglen Lane, in Shady Hills, on July 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Community Center at Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., on July 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

All are welcome to attend these workshops, which will include a brief overview of Pasco 2050, a discussion of the issues and opportunities identified during the first series of workshops, and interactive exercises intended for members of the public to share their thoughts on the future vision of Pasco County.

Those unable to attend can provide input through the county’s Visioning Survey, which is available at MyPas.co/2050VisioningSurvey.

To register for updates on upcoming community meetings, community engagement, and other information about the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, visit Pasco2050.com.

Published July 12, 2023

Girl Scouts earn ‘gold’ for their achievements

July 11, 2023 By Mary Rathman

Thirty-two young women across the Tampa Bay area have earned the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting — the Gold Award. They were honored on June 10 at the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s (GSWCF) Annual Gold Award Ceremony, according to a news release.The award is the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn, available to girls in high school who create a significant and sustainable positive change in a community.

Gold Award recipients address the root cause of a problem, plan and implement innovative solutions to drive change, and lead a team of people to success.

These young women were among the 32 teens that were honored with the highest achievement of Girl Scouting — the Gold Award. (Courtesy of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida)

Earning the Gold Award distinction were: Emily Allen, Skylar Anderson, Courtney Bennett, Yasmine Bouanani, Shaw Bouley, Abigail Cardoza, Georgia Chandler, Elaine Feaster, Isabela Fry, Riley Glogowski, Alexis Hatch, Madison Hurst, Lauren Kacinko, Nitya Katwala, Edy Krook, Emma Lefferts, Presley Lomel, Mariam Masud, Silvana Messina, Isha Patel, Saylor Purks, Emma Ream, Lisa Rosario, Kathleen Roset, Taylor Russell, Audrey Shelby, Samantha Squires, Maggie Warren, Abigail Weber, Emma Weiland, Amanda Whittlesey and Ayla Yebba.

“These Gold Award Girl Scouts courageously made a lasting impact throughout the Tampa Bay Area and beyond – and as a result, they know they have the power to do it again,” Cami Gibertini, GSWCF board president, said in the release.

The 2023 Gold Award Girl Scouts in West Central Florida invested more than 3,200 hours in planning and implementing projects that tackled many pervasive issues.

Each year, the projects are evaluated by the High Awards Committee for various scholarship opportunities.

The GSWCF Scholarship was presented to Emily Allen for her project that created community gardens to promote mental health initiatives.

Elaine Feaster’s literacy awareness project and Samantha Squires’ rain garden projects earned each of them an Ann Hensler Scholarship — an award established in 1999 in memory of former GSWCF CEO Ann Hensler.

In addition, a $10,000 GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship will be presented later this summer to a GSWCF Gold Award Girl Scout whose project exemplifies the core components of the Gold Award and demonstrates extraordinary leadership to drive lasting change in her community and beyond.

To learn more about the 2023 Gold Award Girl Scouts in West Central Florida, visit GSWCF.org/en/events/gold-award-ceremony.html.

Published July 12, 2023

Florida’s $117 billion budget is $5 billion more than last year

July 11, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Florida’s budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year of $117 billion is about $5 billion more than last year and roughly 27% percent larger than the state’s spending plan just three years ago.

Those were among the facts that Ralph Lair, intergovernmental affairs officer for Pasco County, and Shawn Foster, the county’s lobbyist from Sunrise Consulting, reported during the Pasco County Commission’s June 20 meeting.

The two men provided an overview of highlights from this year’s legislative session.

Lair told the board the budget includes about $46.5 billion in general revenue funding and more than $70 billion in trust fund spending, which is mostly earmarked for specific needs.

“The Legislature was able to set aside more than $11 billion that will be held back for future needs for the state,” Lair said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the budget on June 15 and it took effect on July 1.

Foster told the county board: “You know, every session we go up there, we’re like: ‘This is the toughest year we’ve ever seen on local governments. It can’t be as bad as last year.’”

Foster told the board that of the state’s budget, about $41 billion is pass-through money from the federal government.

“We have had extra pass-through federal dollars since COVID. Those will stop in the next years,” he said.

Meanwhile, the extra funds have “very much helped our reserves.

“In 2019, we only had $4 billion in reserves. We only had enough to last less than 14 days.

“Today, because of the reserves the governor and the Legislature have done, we’ve moved into $33 billion. We’re higher than other states have around the nation, and we’re in a very good position.”

Now, the state has enough in reserves to operate for roughly 36 days, Foster said.

“For us to put away the dollars we have the past two years has been phenomenal. We’ve been very, very responsible,” Foster said.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said that’s impressive, “especially on the heels of a hurricane that we had.”

During the session, 1,873 bills were filed and 356 bills passed, Lair said

“We had a really, really smooth session. The two houses got along really well. They were able to compromise and both come out, as they felt, as winners,” Foster said.

“I think the governor, as you saw, pretty much got all that he wanted,” Foster added.

The budget includes $2.7 billion in tax relief and $4 billion for moving forward initiatives that will accelerate the completion of 20 transportation projects around the state.

Published July 12, 2023

All about the Red, White & Lutz

July 11, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The floats were patriotic and as hot as the sun.

Nearly 50 entries, along with hundreds of Lutz residents and locals, made their way up Lutz Lake Fern Road for the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade. The much-anticipated event — held on the sweltering morning of the Fourth of July — brought together the best of the unincorporated community of more than 28,000 to celebrate the country’s birthday.

Parade-goers out at the grandstand, near the library, jump and cheer as beads and trinkets are tossed from floats. (Mike Camunas)

The parade route, which stretched more than a mile, started near the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex and finished in front of the Lutz Branch Library and historic Lutz Train Depot.

Local organizers also held a 5K and Mile Fun Run in the early morning, a cake-decorating contest and, after the parade, announced the winner of this year’s Lutz Guv’na campaign.

Annabelle Depolis, a young local singer, belted out the National Anthem to kick off the parade, which was led by grand marshal 2022 Guv’na Atlas Cortecero.

Katelyn Easterwood, and Missy, walk along First Ave. N.W., on the tail end of the annual Lutz Independence Day Parade on a sweltering Fourth of July morning.

Hundreds lined the street as floats from the likes of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, Boy and Girl Scout troops, North Tampa-Lutz Civil Air Patrol Squadron, Lutz Chiefs Cheer Squad, and local politicians, leaders and businesses owners all tossed out patriotic beads and other trinkets.

Other floats included Lutz All Star Baseball, Lutz Scoops passing out ice cream, the Tampa Rough Riders, Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Hagen, Learning Gate Community School and the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes.

In the 5K, the top Lutz finisher was 17-year-old Ethan Russ (16:52), who finished in sixth place, barely edging out 17-year-old Dylan Powell, of Land O’ Lakes (16:55).

All three Lutz Guv’na candidates also had entries in the parade, with eventual Guv’na winner Jerome Smalls bringing his company, SoccerGemz, and several athletes to walk in the parade.

It’s an event he looks forward to every year.

“The turnout, every year, is always amazing,” Smalls said. “It is one of the best parades, really, in the area. We learned to not throw all beads and goodies away so fast, because you then still have a mile to go!

“(The parade is) always phenomenal, and we love being a part of it and coming out to see it every year, no matter how hot it is, and it’s always hot!”

Lutz Independence Parade Trophy Winners
Best Vehicle: Charley Musselman
Bicycle Entry: West Coast Elite
Commercial Entry: Pinch-A-Penny
Largest Turnout Participation: Lutz Chiefs Cheer
Most Patriotic: Boy Scout Pack 37
Themed Entry (RED, WHITE & Lutz): Lutz Volunteer Fire Department
Walking Unit: Civil Air Patrol
Youth Entry: Learning Gate Community School
Judge’s Favorite: The Barn at Stark Farms
Grand Marshal’s Choice: First Baptist of Lutz

Published July 12, 2023