The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Attention gardeners: Pasco Extension has a plot for you

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The UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension is offering free garden plots and opportunities to grow your skills at community gardens in Dade City, Land O’ Lakes, San Antonio, Zephyrhills and Shady Hills.

You can create your own garden bounty, with a free community garden plot offered through the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension. (Courtesy of UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension)

Pasco Extension pairs applicants for the free plots with the appropriate garden locations.

A new Wesley Chapel location also will be opening soon.

A community garden plot offers the opportunity to:

  • Grow and harvest your own food
  • Work with compost
  • Gain gardening experience in classes and seminars that are offered on site
  • Learn from experts

Plots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

For East Side Community Gardens, call 352-521-1255, or email .

For West Side Community Gardens, call 813-996-2411, ext. 2458,  or email .

The Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service provides practical, educational programs in environmental horticulture; sustainable agriculture; 4-H and youth development; and, family and consumer sciences.

To find out more, including how to volunteer, call 352-518-0156, or visit bit.ly/2I7gTs5.

Published September 15, 2021

Nominations open for recycling awards

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The Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2021 Recycling Champions Awards to recognize companies, organizations, governmental entities or individuals that have made a significant impact in recycling.

The group also is looking to recognize and celebrate new innovative programs in water reuse and recycling, energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Nominations are open now; self-nominations are welcome.

Suggested award categories include:

  • Communication and Education
  • Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
  • Water Reuse and/or Recycling
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Innovation and other
  • Recycle Market Development

Applicants can be a nonprofit; large business (more than 100 employees); small business; governmental entity; or educational organization.

The deadline for nominations is Oct. 1.

Notification of award decisions will be made in November, and awards are scheduled to be presented during Florida Recycles Week from Nov. 15 to Nov. 19.

The 2020 winners included Anheuser-Busch, DAR PRO Solutions, Florida State University, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and Sarasota County Solid Waste.

Applications can be found online at FLRecycling.org.

For questions, contact Keyna Cory at or 850-728-1054.

Published September 15, 2021

Hitting the links for a few friendly rounds

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Idlewild Pastor Tim Hurlesss, left, was pleased with his drive off the first tee, a Par 5. Frank Mutz, director of recreation, is nearby. (Fred Bellet)

Idlewild Baptist Church ministers to both the body and soul, as seen through its recreation ministry, which wrapped up a coed summer golf league at Plantation Palms, in Land O’ Lakes, last month.

The league ran through Aug. 25.

Tee times at the golf course, at 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., began at 5:30 p.m.

Rounds involved a two-player scramble, consisting of nine holes.

There also was an optional free golf clinic, and a $15 buffet, available.

For more information about Idlewild’s recreation programs, visit Idlewild.org/recreation/, or contact Griffin Shollenberger at 813-264-8737 or .

Published September 15, 2021

Jim Willis, of Land O’ Lakes, watches as his ball comes up short while putting on the third green.
Jim Willis, of Land O’ Lakes, reacts to his putt on the third green. Tim Hoelle, Jeff Ennis and Wade Griffin played along with Willis.
Allison McCoy, of Tampa, reacts with a laugh after over-shooting the cup outside the practice green at the Plantation Palms Golf Course. Allison’s husband, Brad McCoy, a seasoned golfer, was lending tips to his wife, a newcomer to the game. The couple was practicing before the tournament began.
Tristan Kennedy of Land O’ Lakes works on getting more distance using a sand wedge during the Idlewild Baptist Church coed golf clinic and weekly golf match, at Plantation Palms Golf Course.

Specialty plate ‘cleared for takeoff’

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Purchases of the new Blue Angels specialty license plate will benefit the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. (Courtesy of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has announced that the new Blue Angels specialty license plate is available now at tax collector offices and license plate agencies statewide.

Purchased presale vouchers for the plate can be redeemed now, as well as the purchase of a plate.

The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation is the second organization from the 2020 Legislative Session to have its newly authorized specialty plate meet all design, development, manufacturing and presale requirements established to begin the distribution process.

The revenue collected annually from the sale of the Blue Angels plate will be distributed to Florida’s nonprofit, Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. The money will fund the maintenance, programs, marketing and projects of the foundation, including the Naval Aviation Museum and the National Flight Academy in Pensacola.

To purchase a license plate and to see a complete list of specialty plates offered, visit FLhsmv.gov, and click on the “Motor Vehicles, Tags & Titles” header.

Published September 15, 2021

Pasco County gives a sweet send-off to long-time attorney

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During her 19 years in the Pasco County Attorney’s office, attorney Jane Fagan was involved in legal work on thousands of county actions and shared her wealth of knowledge on complex issues.

She had a hand in issues, great and small.

Her contributions were described in a resolution adopted by the county board on Aug. 24.

Fagan joined the county on July 29, 2002, as an assistant county attorney, specializing in the area of procurement, according the resolution, which was unanimously adopted in her honor.

She later was promoted to senior assistant county attorney, and while continuing her work in procurement issues, also served as an academic resource for other attorneys in the office on issues ranging from ethics to emergency management, and more.

Senior Assistant County Attorney Jane Fagan was lauded by the Pasco County Commission and the county attorney’s office, as she ended her 19-year tenure in the County Attorney’s Office. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

Certified by the Florida Bar, in city, county and local government law, Fagan is a highly experienced, well-regarded attorney, the resolution says.

And, regardless of how busy Fagan was, “she would set aside her own work to listen and assist co-workers” who were seeking direction and information, the resolution notes.

She shared her knowledge on government law, edited documents and listened to her co-workers’ professional questions to help steer them on a productive path and to identify resources to help them with the issue at hand, according to the resolution.

It goes on: “She is also a talented editor, with a knack for finding mistakes and clarifying ambiguities others have overlooked.”

And, it notes: that “despite Jane juggling a heavy workload for years — working nights, weekends and on vacation, and assisting and supporting co-workers — Jane could be relied upon to get the job done.”

Indeed, the attorney assisted with legal work on a myriad of assignments, including multimillion projects and complicated county initiatives.

She was involved in work on the Ridge Road extension, the Wesley Chapel District Park, the Wiregrass Sports Campus, the software used for public access to county documents, the construction of fire stations throughout the county, and a multitude of other issues and projects.

In addition to highlighting some of her professional contributions, the resolution compliments Fagan’s personal qualities. It notes: “In addition to Jane’s intellect and legal skills, Jane’s thoughtfulness and kindness is abundant. She is always among the first to sympathize with frustrations, help to organize celebrations, and give others credit rather than engaging in self-promotion, even when it is well-deserved.”

After approving the resolution of appreciation, commissioners were quick to heap on additional praise.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley told Fagan: “We’ll let you go, but we don’t want you to go.”

Commissioner Mike Moore put it like this: “What a true professional you are.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano expressed his respect: “You were a solid, tremendous worker for the county, always protecting the county, every step of the way.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey observed: “We’re losing a leader up on the third floor. What a void we’re going to have.”

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder also expressed his gratitude for Fagan’s professionalism and her personal warmth.

“I inherited a marvelous team when I got here. Jane was one of those people that was there, and was there to help me grow into the role of county attorney.

“I can’t tell you how many emails I have gotten at 2 and 3 o’clock in the morning, with her finishing up projects that just had to be done. She’s always been there, always ready to help.

“She’s always there to help her teammates and has always thought of the good of the county for the entire time I’ve been county attorney and she will be very missed,” Steinsnyder said.

Fagan was obviously touched by the tribute.

“I’m just totally floored. This is totally unexpected,” she said, her voice choking with emotion.

“It’s been an honor to represent Pasco County and to work with all of you all, and all the staff.

“It’s been a really positive experience.

“It has always been my goal, to give the best advice,” said Fagan, who received a standing ovation from the commissioners, county staff and those attending the meeting.

Published September 08, 2021

Ending pandemic requires a unified effort

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Doctors are continuing to urge those who are eligible to get vaccinated, to mask up, to keep a social distance from others and to practice good hygiene — in a layered effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Doctors from the University of South Florida, BayCare and AdventHealth delivered that message in two separate virtual sessions held last week.

“As we opened the school year, it was truly what I call the perfect storm,” Dr. Christina Canody, pediatric service line medical director for BayCare said, during a Zoom call arranged by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who represents Florida’s 14th congressional district.

“Last year, when we opened, we had mandate mask requirements, we had some of the lowest rates of infectivity, positivity and prevalence that we had seen during the pandemic,” Canody said.

“This year, we were at absolute opposite ends of the spectrum.

“We were at very high prevalence and positivity rates, and we continue to see a large number of children impacted,” Canody said.

She emphasized that despite the tremendous increase in pediatric admissions to the hospital, that children generally have a less complicated course of treatment and pediatric death rates remain low.

However, she noted that the hospital chain had 180 pediatric admissions in August, which was the highest number, by far.

“The majority of those are cared for at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital,” the pediatrician said.

“We have seen an uptick in our emergency room visits, and in general, we still have capacity,” she said.

But the increase in pediatric cases, coupled with the surge in adult cases, puts a strain on health care workers, she said.

Previously, many of the hospital’s pediatric staff had transitioned to help care for adults, she said.

The hospitalization of a child also takes a toll on families — both emotionally and financially, and disrupts their daily lives, she said.

She also talked about the importance of children being able to go to school.

She noted that the social isolation during last school year has had a lasting effect on some children’s mental health.

She also noted that many people are coping with the death of relatives, colleagues or friends.

Canody emphasized the need to educate people about the seriousness of the pandemic.

She put it this way: “It’s going to continue to circulate as long as it continues to be transmitted. Most pandemics last, on average, three years.”

She underscored these steps to help reduce the spread:

  • Become fully vaccinated, if you’re eligible.
  • Wear a face mask. “It’s more important if a person who is infected wears one, but if you wear one as well, you can decrease your risk of being exposed to the virus,” she said.
  • Practice good hand hygiene. “For little kids, we try to encourage them to keep their hands to themselves and keep their things to themselves, and also to wash their hands frequently.”
  • Stay home, if you’re not feeling well.

“We all have to take care of each other,” Canody said. “It is a little defeating sometimes, when people don’t heed the message. And, I can be honest with you that personally, I’ve had family members who have been affected by this virus. I know people personally who have passed away from this virus.

“The majority of our patients in the hospital are unvaccinated and the majority of the deaths we are seeing now are unvaccinated.”

Dr. Jason Salemi, of the University of South Florida, noted “nine or 10 weeks ago we had about six children being hospitalized every day in the entire state, with COVID-19.

“We’ve had a (more than) 10-fold increase, where more recently, over the past seven days, it’s been about 66 children being hospitalized every day, with confirmed COVID-19,” Salemi said.

The USF doctor also shared statistics regarding numbers of people who are not fully vaccinated in Florida. He said those figures stand at 1 million, among those ages 12 to 17; 5.5 million for those 18 to 64; and 800,000 among those 65 and older.

There’s also 2.8 million children in Florida who are younger than 12 who cannot be vaccinated, he said.

“The most heavily vaccinated group in our society is our seniors, and they are realizing the benefits of vaccination more than any other group,” Salemi said.

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce also hosted a Zoom session involving Amanda Maggard, president and CEO of AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, and Dr. Rodrigo Torres, vice president and chief medical officer for the two hospitals.

Maggard told those listening that “about 90% of our admissions have not been vaccinated. So, the science really is proving true that vaccinations save lives, vaccinations prevent critical illness, so we really want to get the word out in the community and try to increase vaccination. That’s going to be our best way to get through this virus.”

She added that wearing masks continues to be important.

She also touched on the availability of a new monoclonal antibody treatment for patients who are 12 or older. The treatment can prevent hospitalization or death in COVID-19 patients.

The state has opened a number of sites offering the treatment, including the Fasano Hurricane Shelter, at 11611 Denton Ave., in Hudson.

AdventHealth also is offering it at its Dade City campus. (Call the hospital or check its website for details.)

Torres gave a brief history on the pandemic and touched on various strains of the virus.

While much has been reported about the Delta variant, Torres said there’s another strain, known as the lambda, which is being carefully watched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The lambda was identified in Peru at the end of last year, he said.

“It’s one that’s very virulent and it’s able to escape the mechanisms of how the vaccine works,” Torres said. “We believe that for the time being, we have a good control over this lambda variant, but this is one that actually concerns the CDC the most, out of all of these variants of interest.”

Torres also touched on the fact that the Pfizer vaccine has received FDA approval, and the hospital has recommended its staff get the third shot.

“The data has proven that on your third vaccine, you provide antibodies up to nine times the amount of what you normally would have produced just by keeping your two-vaccine regimen,” Torres said.

Published September 08, 2021

Request for mixed uses aims to wrap up Wesley Chapel project

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The Wesley Chapel Lakes project has been on the books for decades, but now the developer is seeking an amendment to its master planned unit development (MPUD) to pursue entitlements at three intersections within the community.

The project is located south of, and adjacent to State Road 54, about 3.5 miles east of Interstate 75, and extending south to the Pasco County line.

The developer, M/I Homes of Tampa LLC, is seeking entitlements for vacant parcels within Wesley Chapel Lakes that are consistent with market demands, according to information contained in the Pasco County Planning Commission’s Aug. 26 agenda materials.

The proposed uses will not generate more vehicle trips from the development than were previously approved and that have already been addressed through mitigation (which normally includes impact fees and/or transportation improvements), according to the agenda background materials.

Most of the residential component of the project has been developed.

Now, the applicant is seeking approval of entitlements along three nodes on Meadow Pointe Boulevard, according to Barbara Wilhite, an attorney for the applicant.

The northern node is at Meadow Pointe Boulevard and State Road 54; the central node is at Meadow Pointe Boulevard and State Road 56; and the southern node is Meadow Pointe Boulevard and Beardsley Drive.

The project originally was approved decades ago, as a Development of Regional Impact, which allowed an array of uses, Wilhite said.

Wilhite told the planning commission: “This is not the beginning of this project. This is the end of the project.”

The changes being sought will allow a mixture of uses, along with conditions, at the intersections, Wilhite said.

“It just so happens that the developer has held those properties and not developed those,” she said. “All of those nodes are approved for commercial today. What we’ve done is the ability to do residential at those nodes.”

The property is not within the current multifamily moratorium boundary.

The modification area includes about 166 acres. It calls for up to:

  • 850 single-family attached, townhome or apartment units
  • 420,000 square feet of commercial use
  • 150,000 square-feet office/light industrial
  • 700 hotel rooms

The request also seeks a variation from the county’s land development code to permit a reduction in the standard parking space size of 9-feet by 20-feet to a reduced size of 8-feet by 18-feet, with the condition that curbs and/or wheel stops will be required to prevent vehicles from overhanging required landscape buffers, or sidewalks, unless the sidewalk is 7-feet wide, to keep the sidewalk width at a minimum of 5 feet for pedestrians.

One speaker, who appeared via a virtual connection, expressed support for the additional development planned at the State Road 54 and State Road 56 intersections with Meadow Pointe Boulevard, but asked to preserve the area near the Meadow Pointe and Beardsley intersection for residential development.

Wilhite said that the Beardsley intersection currently has some commercial entitlement. But the attorney said her client will not seek to increase the commercial potential at that location.

The county’s planning staff recommended approval of the request, with conditions.

The Planning Commission agreed with county planners, unanimously recommending approval of the request to Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning decisions.

Published September 08, 2021

Zephyrhills tennis center changing membership packages

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The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills is overhauling its membership pricing model — in an effort to streamline options, encourage more annual memberships and better capture growing demand for play.

Among the most noteworthy changes are raising seasonal and non-resident rates essentially across the board, while removing age-specific senior (over 65) and junior (17 and under) packages in favor of a comprehensive one-size-fits-all individual membership.

The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills is altering its membership pricing model for the coming year. (File)

The Zephyrhills City Council approved the requests from the facility’s private operator, Tennis Pro Florida LLC, during an Aug. 23 regular meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall. Zephyrhills entered into a management agreement with Tennis Pro Florida in October 2019, when it was established that any membership changes required council approval.

Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center’s Chief Financial Officer Nick Walton made a presentation at the meeting on the proposed changes, expected to take effect this month, following the council’s action.

During a presentation to council members, Walton began by detailing the tennis facility’s popularity since its soft opening last September, even in the wind of the coronavirus pandemic.

The state-of-the-art complex has seen some 2,000 visitors who have been there at least once. It also has about 175 members who pay monthly dues.

“It’s been a crazy year this past year,” said Walton, emphasizing the consistent turnout.

The $4.9 million tennis complex at 6585 Simons Road in Zephyrhills is marketed as “Tampa’s first boutique-style racquet sports and wellness club.”

The city-owned, but privately operated facility offers:

  • 11 regulation-sized outdoor tennis courts (nine clay surface, two hard surface)
  • Eight outdoor pickleball courts
  • Four outdoor padel courts
  • Outdoor multipurpose turf field
  • A nearly 8,000-square-foot indoor clubhouse, featuring a full-service restaurant/cafe, fitness center, salt room, yoga room, cryotherapy chamber and pro shop

Tennis center leadership is striving to attract more annual members, and to encourage patrons to use more of the facility’s supplementary offerings, beyond tennis, Walton said.

“We have people coming once a month, they pay the non-member rate, but what we want is people to become members, so they’re kind of incentivized to come every single week, and enjoy all of the services that we have to offer,” he said.

Simplifying its existing membership model will help, Walton said, which he labeled “a little confusing currently, because there’s so many levels.”

Changes include tapering membership combinations from 72 different options down to 24 choices.

Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center Chief Financial Officer Nick Walton. (Courtesy of Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center)

Membership increases for seasonal, non-residents
The most significant price hikes will be coming to six-month, seasonal membership offerings —to both Zephyrhills and non-Zephyrhills residents.

A seasonal, tennis-only membership was set at $160 total for Zephyrhills residents and $200 total for non-residents.

Now those rates will more than double —  to $344 total for Zephyrhills residents and $430 total for non-residents.

Other activities show similar seasonal hikes.

A seasonal, pickleball-only membership jumps from $120 total to $264 total for Zephyrhills residents, then from $150 total to $330 total for non-residents.

Annual rates for non-residents are slated to go up, to varying degrees, too.

Encouraging more activities, beyond tennis
Walton went on to discuss the facility’s current supply and demand issue for tennis, in comparison to myriad other sports and activities.

Because tennis is “overwhelmingly” the facility’s largest attraction, that’s causing issues with accommodating adequate court space needs for all users during the evenings, he said.

While “a great problem to have” in one sense, Walton said, the facility is working on inventive ways to encourage other offerings, too. This may include offering one-week trials and other specials highlighting pickleball, padel, fitness classes and so on.

“We don’t want to box anyone out with pricing, but we want to allow ourselves to make money, and we’re almost maxed out with the tennis community,” Walton said. “We almost want to say, ‘Look, we’re not going to sell anymore tennis-only memberships, because we’re running out of courts.”

The council unanimously approved the facility’s membership model request, following some back-and-forth discussion.

Councilman Charles Proctor summarized the membership changes: “We all know, prices go up, so you’re going to have to raise the price, that’s inevitable, so I mean, I don’t have any problem with what I’m seeing here.”

Meanwhile, the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center has grander plans in play in the next year or so.

The city received a $4.7 million state appropriation this year to construct six additional outdoor hard tennis courts, as well as a 30,000-square-foot indoor tennis facility with the capability for other sports and activities, such as soccer, ping pong, banquets and ceremonies.

Another membership step is expected in September 2022, in advance of the targeted completion of the additional outdoor courts and indoor multipurpose facility.

Visit SVBTennisCenter.com for more information.

Published September 08, 2021

County office building in Land O’ Lakes to get upgrades

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The Pasco County Commission has awarded a task order for slightly more than $1.78 million to Bandes Construction Company LLC., to complete interior renovations at the David “Hap” Clark Jr. Building in Land O’ Lakes.

The work will be performed in two phases, on the first and second floor of the building referred to as the Hap Clark building, at 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Details of the project were included in the county board’s agenda materials for its Aug. 24 meeting.

Phase one will be done on the northern side of the building on the first floor, and will accommodate building construction services, veteran services, human services and conference suits.

The general scope of work shall be approximately 6,027 square feet of existing space,

including the surrounding restrooms and corridor.

Phase two of the renovation will be on the southern side of the building on the second floor, and will consolidate the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources team into one suite of approximately 6,250 square feet.

Published September 08, 2021

Pasco offers $500 bonus for vaccinated employees

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Pasco County employees who get vaccinated will receive $500 in premium pay, under a plan approved last week, by the Pasco County Commission.

The $500 in premium pay is for every county employee who is fully vaccinated, regardless of whether they are already vaccinated, or if they get vaccinated before Nov. 1.

The additional pay will be distributed to qualifying employees on Nov. 12.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles would prefer to reward employees who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 than to punish those who aren’t. (File)

The county also will be providing premium pay to county employees who worked during the pandemic, with the exception of those who are already receiving a bonus from the state of Florida.

Employees who were employed in 2020 and are still employed now will receive $500 in premium pay. Those who were employed in 2021 and are still working for the county will receive $250.

Those bonuses will be included in employees’ Sept. 17 paycheck.

County Administrator Dan Biles explained the thinking behind the premium pay plans during a presentation on the county’s plan for spending funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act.

He told commissioners that about 50% of the county’s employees have been vaccinated.

“Our firefighters are actually vaccinated at a lower rate than 50%,” he said.

The county wants to get its vaccination rate up into the range of 70% to 80%, Biles said.

At the same time the county wants to increase its rate of vaccinated employees, it also wants to decrease potential medical costs, Biles said.

“We’ve only had about 10% of county employees actually test positive with COVID. Those 10% actually cost $3.4 million in COVID claims.

“We’ve surveyed the counties and cities around us. Many of them are using what I will call negative incentives to encourage people to get vaccinated.

“There are a couple of counties in the state who have basically said, ‘If you’re not vaccinated by a certain date, you are no longer a county employee.

“Several counties are doing more on the, if you are not vaccinated, you have to test weekly.

“Some of the areas around us, if you’re vaccinated, you don’t have to wear a mask. But if you’re not vaccinated, you have to wear a mask and are subject to testing on a recurring basis.

“Those are all what I would consider negative incentives and I would actually prefer to do a positive incentive to encourage people in a positive manner. Give them a carrot, as opposed to a stick,” he said.

“It makes good business sense, and additionally, I think it’s the right thing to do for our employees,” Biles said.

“It’s less expensive operationally, from a budgetary perspective, to pay people to get the vaccine — that are county employees — than to go pay for their health bills, health insurance bills,” the county administrator added.

He also explained the other bonus plan, to reward employees who have worked for the county “during the pandemic.

“The governor and the state legislature approved premium pay for public safety employees and teachers. It didn’t make sense for one section of our employee base to get premium pay from the state and not do a premium pay on the rest of the employee base,” he said.

So, the county developed its own plan.

Published September 01, 2021