The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pasco County government buys office space

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As Pasco County grows, so does its need for government office space.

The Pasco County Commission has approved the purchase of the Liberty Professional Center at 8606, 8624 and 8630 Government Drive, in New Port Richey.

The county purchased the three Class A buildings for $4.2 million, plus closing costs. The buildings make up more than 19,000 square feet.

The purchase is in keeping with the county’s Facilities Master Plan.

The location of the office buildings, which is south of and adjacent to the West Pasco Judicial Center, makes it ideal for the county, according to a memo in the board’s agenda packet for its July 12 meeting.

In other action, the county board:

  • Approved a task order for Alfred Benesch & Company in an amount not to exceed $126,856.12 for a Pasco County Greenways, Trailways and Blueways Master Plan. The work will involve planning services that will build upon past and current efforts to lay the groundwork for countywide greenways trails and blueways systems that connects communities, provide recreational opportunities, and complements or supplements existing recreational and transportation infrastructure.
  • Approved a professional services agreement with American Consulting Engineers of Florida LLC, in the amount of $573,434.27 for the Tower Road Route Study and Pond Siting Analysis Report, from west of Sunlake Boulevard to east of U.S. 41.
  • Authorized the county administrator or his designee to make binding incentive offers for parcels to be acquired in eminent domain proceedings for the Wesley Chapel Boulevard (County Road 54) widening project.

Using incentive offers is deemed to be a way to achieve significant savings by avoiding considerable costs that can be incurred in the process, according to materials in the county board’s July 12 agenda packet.

The county board has agreed with the county attorney’s recommendation to allow offers not to exceed 120% of the county’s written appraisal report of the affected property.

  • Approved an amendment to a task order with Williamson Dacar Associates to extend the completion date on the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library project, by 90 days, to Sept. 23. The change also increases the purchase authority by $6,3500, bringing the new not-to-exceed total amount to $211,800. The extension is needed to allow for additional site inspections resulting from unforeseen delays from material shortages.
  • Approved an amendment to a task order with Williamson Dacar Associates to extend the completion date on the Hugh Embry Branch Library to Aug. 8. The change also includes an increase in the purchase authority of $4,450, bringing the new not-to-exceed total to $152,825. The extension is needed to allow for additional site inspections resulting from unforeseen delays from material shortages.

Published July 27, 2022

Making a clean sweep

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Step into Steve Melton’s workshop, in the far reaches of Northeast Pasco County, and you’ll see a man who equally enjoys working with his hands, and spinning stories about the heritage arts.

In this case, he’s busy making a broom.

Steve Melton holds up two types of millet, also known as broom straw or broom corn, that are used to make brooms. (Christine Holtzman)

He starts with the material that will make the broom’s head.

“This is the millet seed and they would pull the seed off,” he said, touching the seeds with his fingers. What it does, after the seed is off, it turns into broom corn; or broom straw,” he said.

There are all types of millets. There’s one for syrup-making. Another for cow feed. Some millet is specially bred for broom straw, he said.

Millet, historically was grown in Illinois.

There are various accounts to the history of broom-making by hand, but Melton said the industry had its heyday during the ‘30s and ‘40s, when towns were founded on making brooms and workers assembled them by hand, in factories.

After attaching the millet to the broom handle, Steve Melton places his nearly finished broom in a broom vise to hold it flat in place, while he stitches the head. Melton is using a sewing needle that he made in his blacksmith shop.

“It was a huge industry at one time,” he said.

“Illinois was kind of the epicenter.

“In Rantoul, Illinois — that’s where I learned about this — there are broom festivals,” Melton said.

Not many brooms are made by hand, these days
Melton said he became enamored with the idea of making brooms after he saw some being made at an antique tractor show in the Midwest.

“I was enthralled,” he said.

While demonstrating how he makes a flat kitchen broom, Steve Melton, uses a machine called a ‘kick winder’ to attach the millet to the wooden handle. Melton uses his foot to control the spin of the machine, while hand-wrapping the millet to the handle, using metal wire.

At another show, he saw brooms being made on a commercial scale. Then, he learned about a man in Alabama who sold machines used to make brooms by hand, and he decided to buy some of that equipment and bring it home.

The Northeast Pasco man doesn’t make mass quantities of brooms, but he gets immense pleasure from the process.

He uses broom straw of varied colors.

Though the dyed broom straw is more expensive, Melton likes to mix some in.

“It just looks so pretty,” he explained.

When making brooms, he uses a kick winder, which wraps wire around the broom straw to attach it to the handle. His particular piece of equipment was patented in 1878 and likely has been used to make thousands of brooms in the past, he said.

Melton uses short, medium and long broom corn to create the broom head.

The process involves selecting the broom corn, evening it out and then attaching the batch of straw to the handle with wire, using the kick winder.

A look at some of Steve Melton’s handmade brooms.

He uses a broom vise to flatten the straw for the broom head and once it is flattened, he keeps it that way, by using a needle he made in his blacksmith shop, to stitch the straw together by hand.

While making brooms, Melton said his mind drifts.

He thinks of the others who came before him, using the same piece of machinery to make brooms by hand.

He imagines the lives of the people using the same kind of brooms, decades ago.

“This is broom-making as it would have been, 100 years ago,” Melton said.

He derives great satisfaction from the art of making brooms by hand, and he loves the practical nature of the finished product.

“Every time you pick this up to sweep your kitchen, that gives you a sense of accomplishment,” Melton said.

Revised July 27, 2022

Vessel turn-in program hopes to ease backlog

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has approved the final rule establishing a statewide Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP), as part of the Derelict Vessel Prevention Program. The new rule will create a voluntary program to remove at-risk vessels before they become derelict, which helps Florida’s environment and public safety, according to a news release.

The Division of Law Enforcement’s Boating and Waterways Section is spearheading a multi-year effort to dramatically reduce the backlog of derelict (abandoned or deserted) vessels currently on Florida’s waters.

These abandoned vessels cause the destruction of valuable seagrass resources and endanger marine life. They also threaten human life, safety and property, as the vessels drift on or beneath the surface of the water or block navigable waterways, posing a navigational hazard to the boating public.

Vessels that are deserted are more costly and complicated to remove than at-risk vessels. The VTIP is designed to allow owners of vessels at risk of becoming derelict the ability to voluntarily turn the at-risk vessel over to the state for removal and destruction.

“Removing at-risk vessels from Florida’s waterways before they become derelict is not only a win for the environment, but also for public safety, taxpayers and the vessel owners,” said Roger Young, director of the FWC Division of Enforcement, in the release.

For more on this topic, visit MyFWC.com and search “derelict vessels.”

Published July 27, 2022

Pasco provides details on county ‘Penny’ projects

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The Pasco County Commission has adopted a list of projects the county intends to pursue with proceeds of a proposed 15-year extension of the Penny for Pasco government infrastructure surcharge tax.

The board identified the projects during is July 12 meeting.

Voters will decide in the Nov. 8  general election whether they want to extend the tax for a third round.

The first Penny for Pasco, approved by voters, was in effect from January 2005 through December 2014. Voters approved extending the tax, from 2015 until 2024.

This time, voters are being asked to approve a 15-year extension of the tax, through 2039.

The tax proceeds are shared between Pasco County, the Pasco County School Board and the county’s six municipalities.

Of the county’s share, 20% would go for economic development; 20% for environmental land acquisition and recreation improvements; 20% for public safety; and, 40% for transportation.

Here are some of the ways the county said it would spend the tax proceeds:

  • Environmental Lands: Acquisition of an estimated 3,000 to 3,700 acres of environmentally sensitive lands; additional amenities such as picnic areas, campgrounds, hiking trails, observations towers, and associated infrastructure throughout the county; improvements at Baillies Bluff Wilderness Park and Len Angeline Wilderness and Recreation Park
  • Economic development: Efforts to support workforce development; rejuvenate semi-blighted economic corridors; encourage entrepreneurs through business incubators; provide economic incentives to attract businesses and jobs
  • Public safety: Funding for Pasco Fire Rescue and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Both Fire/Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office would receive for new vehicles and new in-vehicle computers and equipment. Fire Rescue also would receive specialty vehicles, including utility terrain vehicles and boats, life-saving emergency response equipment and facility upgrades
Pasco County’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program purchases environmentally sensitive lands throughout the county, using funds provided through the taxpayer-supported Penny for Pasco program. (File)

Transportation projects: This category stands to receive 40% of the proceeds, so that list is lengthy. Here’s a summary of some proposed projects:

  • A county-wide study to determine its multi-modal transportation needs
  • Proposed multi-modal improvements, including sidewalks and multi-use paths. Specific improvements, within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area include:
  • Eiland Boulevard A , from north of State Road 54 to Handcart Road, a multi-use path
  • Eiland Boulevard B, from Handcart Road to U.S. 301, a multi-use path
  • Starkey Trail bike/pedestrian overpass at State Road 54
  • Wire Road, from Pretty Pond Road to County Road 54, sidewalk
  • Sidewalk projects near schools, including Curley Road, near Wesley Chapel Elementary, Thomas Weightman Middle School and Wesley Chapel High School; Cypress Creek Road, near Denham Oaks Elementary School; and Parkway Boulevard, near Pine View Elementary School
  • Numerous other types of improvements including projects to improve connectivity and safety, including bicycle lanes, bicycle trail connections, bridge rehabilitation, accessibility improvements, roundabouts, paved shoulder safety treatments, roadway lighting and transportation technology and acquisition of right of way
  • Improvements for GoPasco: The list includes new buses, improved accessibility to bus stops, park and ride locations, and improved bus stops

Published June 20, 2022

Pasco limits new recurring expenses

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Pasco County’s revenues are up because of its burgeoning growth, but the county is taking a conservative approach when it comes to adding new recurring expenses.

The assessed taxable value in fiscal year 2023 is just at $2 billion, compared at just under $1.4 billion last year, according to Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director.

“The taxable assessed value in 2023 was actually higher than the new construction in 2008,” he said.

“So, because we can’t expect this taxable from new construction to be at this level for year over year over year, we are suggesting that we not spend this new additional revenues for new ongoing expenditures, except as they relate to Fire Rescue,” Goehig told the Pasco County Commission at its July 12 meeting.

“So, we are suggesting that we adopt a limited number of new business plan initiatives — or new spending for new ongoing expenditures — and take the remaining piece of that and invest that into one-time capital investments, into our capital improvement process to bring those projects up to speed,” Goehig said.

Emergency personnel representing Pasco County Fire Rescue repeatedly have urged the Pasco County Commission to provide them with more equipment and manpower, to reduce response time to emergencies. The county’s proposed budget reflects about $6 million in initiatives to bolster Fire Rescue operations. (File)

“So, we saw there’s an additional $21 million out there. Before we get carried away with all of this new money (and) figure out we’re going to spend it, there are lots and lots of things that we have to pay for with that new money,” he added.

Inflation, he noted, is at 11.3% in the Tampa Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Pasco County.

“Just the cost of fuel alone has increased 38% over the past year,” he said.

Fleet-related expenditures, including fuel and increased costs for maintenance and parts is expected to increase by more than $1 million for Fire Rescue alone, he said.

“It will increase over $3 million countywide,” Goehig said.

The county also is currently conducting a compensation/classification study for its staff, which is expected to result in a 7% increase in the county’s average compensation, he said.

Wages also will increase for firefighters, he said.

Goehig also noted that Fire Station 3 and Fire Station 9 are coming online and must be funded for a full year.

As Fire Rescue responds to more calls, costs for medical supplies are expected to increase by $500,000, he added.

There also are increases to health care and retirement costs.

The county, however, is recommending a number of enhancements to its Fire Rescue services.

Those proposed budget items follow persistent requests by firefighters at board meetings, urging the county to provide the equipment and manpower necessary to address a surging number of emergency calls.

This year’s budget calls for two new fire stations to come online, four new rescue units and four peak-hour rescue units, Goehig said. That brings the total number of new ambulance units on the street to eight, Goehig said.

The budget also calls for adding 65 firefighters.

Goehig noted the call volume for Fire Rescue increased by 16% in 2021, compared to a typical rate of increase of 3% to 4%.

The county doesn’t know if the spike in call volume in 2021 was a one-time thing because of the pandemic, or if that will be the new normal.

“In either case, we have to plan as if that 16% is the new normal,” Goehig said.

In total, there are 16 business plan initiatives for Fire Rescue, totaling about $6 million, he said.

The proposed county budget also includes two additional code enforcement officers and two additional animal services officers.

The budget also calls for providing a general fund transfer of $1.6 million to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office to support the hiring of 10 deputies.

Goehig’s presentation was made in concert with an agenda item on proposed tax rate and date for the first public hearing on the county  budget for fiscal year 2023.

The county board approved the proposed tax rate and set the first public hearing on the county’s budget on Sept. 6, at 5:15 p.m. The meeting will be in the board chambers at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

The final public hearing is set for Sept. 20 at 5:15 p.m., in the board chambers at the West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, in New Port Richey.

Pasco County’s proposed tax rates
Pasco County is planning :

  • No change in its operating millage rate of 7.6076
  • No change in its fire service millage rate of 1.8036

The Florida Constitution’s “Save Our Homes” provision caps the taxable value of homestead properties at 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. This year, the CPI is 7%, so the taxable value for homesteaded properties will be capped at 3%.

The taxable value of the house is $150,000, minus standard exemptions, resulting in a taxable value of $100,000. The taxable value thus increases by $3,000, based on the 3% cap. That house would pay $22.82 in additional property taxes.

Taxable values of non-homesteaded properties cannot be increased by more than 10%.

Source: Pasco County budget presentation on July 12

Want to weigh in?
The first public hearing on Pasco County’s budget is set for Sept. 6 at 5:15 p.m., in the board chambers at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.
The final public hearing is set for Sept. 20 at 5:15 p.m., in the board chambers at the West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, in New Port Richey.

Published June 20, 2022

County Administrator Dan Biles departs Pasco on a high note

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Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles found himself in a position he doesn’t particularly enjoy on July 12.

On that day, he stood at the podium, facing the Pasco County Commission, while a resolution was being read. It detailed many accomplishments during his five-year tenure in the county’s top job.

The resolution praised Biles “for his dedicated service to Pasco County and his contribution to creating a people-focused organizational culture.”

County Administrator Dan Biles poses with Pasco County employees on July 12, the administrator’s last meeting with the Pasco County Commission. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

It also lauds Biles’ focus on customer service and his commitment to training leaders, as well as empowering them to improve business operations.

His work in that area led to “radical cultural changes” within the organization resulting “in significant performance gains across the enterprise, as well as three different local and national ‘Best Places to Work’ awards,” the resolution notes.

The document also spells out some of Biles’ most notable accomplishments, including “his unwavering leadership and administrative creativity through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic; his involvement in making the construction of the Ridge Road Extension a reality, providing an essential hurricane evacuation route and a new major corridor for Pasco County commuters; and his collaboration in the momentous Moffitt Pasco County Project, which will provide more than 14,000 jobs in a geographic footprint larger than Downtown Tampa and more importantly, bring hope to innumerable people for decades to come.”

Additionally, Biles’ “People, Purpose, Performance” leadership philosophy has influenced members of his team who will carry on that desire to “prioritize people, connect them to their purpose and get out of the way of their success,” the resolution states.

This shot was taken during construction of the first phase of the Ridge Road extension. That portion of the road, between Moon Lake Drive and the Suncoast Parkway, is now open to traffic. Work continues on the stretch of Ridge Road that will extend it to U.S. 41. (File)

After Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles finished reading the resolution, Biles told the board: “It’s a little uncomfortable today because I don’t like standing up here. I actually prefer to be in the background, out of the spotlight, and let you or the team really take the credit for the great things that are happening.”

But Biles added: “I appreciate it. It’s been truly a remarkable five years. I don’t think I would’ve imagined the things that we’ve gone through the last five years, but thank you for all of the support, thank you to the team for all of the support, because I couldn’t have done it without the team, as well.”

He told commissioners he appreciated that they allowed him to work on building an organization that’s similar to corporations such as Publix, Southwest Airlines and USAA — that are focused both on their employees and the customers they serve.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done to support me over the last five years, even when we may not have agreed. That’s part of business, right?

“I think I’ve disagreed with every one of you from time to time. That’s part of a great work atmosphere … allowing discussion, debate and those kinds of things.

“Thank you for allowing me to tell you my opinion on stuff, because that’s also important,” he said.

Commissioners shared their thoughts on the administrator’s work, too.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey told him he was the right leader, at the right time, to bring the county to where it is today.

Commissioner Jack Mariano cited Biles’ work with the Ridge Road extension project as a prime example of his leadership capabilities.

“When you had the opportunity to get Ridge Road done quickly, you took a step back and said, ‘You know what, we’re ready to go, but we have a big development that wants to come in here, a big job employer, a big opportunity,’ Biles told Mariano.

Biles didn’t disclose the name of the prospect at the time, but it turned out to be Moffitt, and the road needed to be reset to provide what Moffitt needed, Mariano said.

A sinkhole opened on July 14, 2017, just months after Dan Biles became county administrator for Pasco County. The incident attracted international attention. (File)

Mariano said he had disagreements with Biles.

“But we always discussed it. What I always liked is, I always got the truth, and with the truth, you can work with it,” Mariano said.

Commissioners Ron Oakley and Christina Fitzpatrick both mentioned their impatience at the pace of government, but also both thanked Biles for the work he accomplished.

Commissioner Mike Moore said the board made a good decision when it hired Biles.

Biles tested early
Constitutional officers Alvarez-Sowles and Tax Collector Mike Fasano also weighed in on Biles’ contributions.

Alvarez-Sowles, who has butted heads with Biles, especially over budget issues, told the administrator: “I respect you tremendously, and your leadership.”

Moffitt Cancer Center is planning a campus in Pasco County, which County Administrator Dan Biles said will have a profound impact — not only in terms of new jobs, but also in the quest to find a cure for cancer. (File)

She reminded those gathered that during Biles’ first year on the job, he contended with a sinkhole, wildfires, floods and Hurricane Irma.

“You were tested, right off the bat, to see what stuff you were made of. Sitting back, watching you and taking part in those conversations, I was really impressed. Very impressed with your leadership — about (your style of) encouraging and giving the power to your team, so they can do their jobs and getting out of the way so they can perform well,” she said.

Fasano attended the meeting specifically to offer some remarks about Biles.

“Over the last five years, I’ve seen a dramatic change, a great change for Pasco County. Not only because of your (county board) leadership, but because of someone like Dan Biles.

“I want to thank Dan.

“Thank you for the great work you have done for our county,” Fasano said.

Pasco County used to be viewed as a stepchild of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, but that’s no longer true, Fasano said.

The former legislator also cited Biles’ work to help bring the Ridge Road extension to fruition.

Fasano said he used to seek funding every year for that project. At one point, representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation asked Fasano to drop the request, telling him the road would never happen.

“But it did happen, under Dan Biles leadership,” Fasano said.

Biles told the board that he’ll miss both the work and the people he worked with.

“At the end of the day, we have a great team that does great work, and Mike (incoming County Administrator Mike Carballa) is going to step in and take the county to the next level, with your support and the support of the rest of the team,” Biles said.

Published June 20, 2022

Let Us Do Good Village gets OK for amenity center

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has granted approval of a special exception to the county code to clear the way for an amenity center with the Let Us Do Good Village, a community being built by The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The requested center is planned for a site that’s slightly less than 5 acres on the south side of Parkway Boulevard, about a half-mile east of Ehren Cutoff.

Plans for the new subdivision call for 96 single-family detached homes.

The amenity center is planned for construction at the main entrance to Let Us Do Good Village, at the intersection of Parkway Boulevard and Do Good Way, according to information the planning board’s agenda packet.

In addition to the amenity center, two neighborhood parks are proposed to be located in the western section of the site, adjacent to the Panther Run subdivision.

The planning board approved the request as part of its consent agenda. The consent agenda contains a number of agenda items that are voted on, in a single motion, unless someone pulls an item for discussion.

There was no public comment on the request.

While the planning board has the authority to grant special exceptions, the Pasco County Commission can revoke them.

Published June 20, 2022

Upgrades to Simons Road to start

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Zephyrhills Public Works plans to begin Phase II of the Simons Road project on July 25, with expected completion of the construction within about 240 calendar days, according to Shane LeBlanc, public works director for the city.

Aerial map view of the Simons Road Project, showing the new intersection that will be created at Fort King Road. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills Public Works)

The Phase II project includes a new road section, box culverts, and gravity walls. The project also includes sidewalks and turn lanes on Fort King Road.

When the work is finished, Simons Road will connect to both Eiland Boulevard and Fort King Road, offering motorists an additional route to State Roads 54 and 56 and Interstate 75.

Connecting Simons Road to Fort King Road — essentially creating a new intersection — consists of about 800 feet of pavement and costs about $2.2 million.

The project includes the installation of a traffic signal at Eiland Boulevard and Simons Road, which the city said is greatly needed because of increased traffic in the area.

Use of Simons Road has increased dramatically because of the opening of the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, and Abbott Square (a Lennar Homes development behind the tennis center).

The community is expected to add about 700 residential units of single-family houses, townhouses and apartments.

BRW Contracting Inc. constructed Phase I and also is constructing Phase II. The contractor’s familiarity with the previous project is expected to be beneficial in the construction of the second phase of the project.

Published June 20, 2022

It’s not the cause, it’s the precedent, Commissioner Mike Moore says

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Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore wants his fellow commissioners to turn down a request by Feeding Tampa Bay because he fears granting it could open the door to scores of similar requests down the road.

Moore urged his colleagues to vote against a recommendation in the county budget to provide $250,000 in funding — over two years — to Feeding Tampa Bay. The money would be used by the nonprofit to construct a regional facility in Hillsborough County.

Moore’s comments came after Pasco County Budget Director Robert Goehig announced the list of budget recommendations for outside organizations for fiscal year 2023 included a new agency.

“The one new donation on this list is Feeding Tampa Bay. We are recommending that we provide $125,000 a year for two years to Feeding Tampa Bay to help them build their new facility,” Goehig said.

At that point, Moore told his colleagues: “I said, ‘No.’

“I have a serious concern about funding a capital project for a building that’s in another county.

“We have not-for-profits that feed people in Pasco County, as well. I would prefer to see those funds going to people here, closer to home, than I would a capital project outside of the county.

“If they were stating they were going to provide so many additional meals in Pasco County that was going to be pushed through one of our local organizations, then I probably would be more receptive of this,” he said.

“My fear is that you’re going to set a precedent here and next year you’re going to have 10 other organizations that are outside the door, asking you do something in another county, build a building, because they say they are providing services here,” he said.

“There’s a lot of nonprofits that aren’t located in Florida that provide services here in Pasco County,” he said.

He asked his colleagues if the board would support a similar request from a nonprofit in Louisiana because it’s providing services to Pasco residents.

Commissioner Ron Oakley responded: “The answer to that is no.”

But Moore said he wasn’t so sure, given the current request from Feeding Tampa Bay.

Oakley said he’s willing to provide a minimum level of support because “they help a lot of citizens here in Pasco County. I know they are here in East Pasco every week.”

Moore persisted: “We have additional charities here in Pasco County that do feed people.

“I’ll be honest with you, that $250 (thousand), give it to our Elderly Services and let them feed more people. We have a waiting list of people. We could divert those funds to our senior citizens, waiting there for more meals.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed with Moore.

“I don’t want to spend that money for capital outside the area,” Mariano said.

He said he hadn’t thought about diverting those funds to the county’s elderly meal programs, but thinks it’s a good idea.

“I’d rather take that $125,000 and feed a whole bunch of seniors,” Mariano said.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey said she supports the proposed expenditure.

“The number they asked for was much bigger than this,” Starkey said. “The reason I was OK with this number is because we are one of the major recipients of their food program. And so, they’re storing the food that comes up to be delivered to our nonprofits that get distributed to our people.

“That’s why I’m OK with this small amount. I hope one day they’ll have a facility in Pasco County, but right now for the region, it’s more cost-effective to have one big distribution center,” Starkey said.

“This doesn’t begin to compare to the cost of the food they’re holding for our citizens, so that’s why I was OK with this little number.”

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick also supports the expenditure.

“The number of citizens that benefit outweighs how much we are spending,” Fitzpatrick said.

She said Cathy Pearson, assistant administrator for public services, gave commissioners a breakdown of how many meals are provided and distributed.

“The amount that we’re investing is a lot less than it would cost us to provide those meals to all of those citizens,” Fitzpatrick said.

Unlike Moore, Fitzpatrick said she doesn’t view this as precedent-setting, but rather as a one-time thing.

Starkey added: “I personally don’t think $125,000 will even cover the cost of the racks that’s holding the food that’s coming to Pasco County.”

The discussion came up as part of a budget discussion, but the board won’t vote on the budget until September, leaving time for additional discussion on what the board will include in its fiscal plan for next year.

Moore said he appreciates Feeding Tampa Bay and what it does, but he reiterated that he won’t support this request.

“We should not be spending Pasco County taxpayer dollars to build a building that is outside (the county),” Moore said.

Published June 20, 2022

Political Agenda 07/22/2022

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Central Pasco Republican Club
The Republican candidates for Florida House District 55 — Gabe Papadopoulos, Brad Sollberger and Kevin Steele — will be featured at the July 25 meeting of the Central Pasco Republican Club. Join us to learn more about the candidates and their vision for the district.

The meeting is open to the public and the club encourages anyone that seeks to be involved in the political process to attend.

The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The social begins at 6 p.m., with the business meeting at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call 813-996-3011.

Endorsements
Pasco County Schools Superintendent and Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano have endorsed the Pasco County School Board’s referendum seeking a tax increase of up to 1 mil, to support increased salaries for teachers, bus drivers and other non-administrative employees of Pasco County Schools.

Supervisor of Elections updates
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has provided some updates regarding the upcoming Aug. 23 Primary Election, via news releases.

Corley has announced that on July 14, more than 116,000 vote-by-mail ballots for the Aug. 23 primary election were mailed to voters who had requested vote-by-mail. Ballots to uniformed and overseas citizens went out on July 8.

Voted ballots must be returned to the elections office by 7 p.m., on Aug. 23.

Corley reminded voters to be sure to allow sufficient time for first-class delivery by the U.S. Postal Service, or to hand deliver the ballots to any of the three Supervisor of Elections’ Offices in Pasco County. Voted ballots also are accepted at early voting sites, but may not be turned in at the polls on Election Day. Information on office locations and early voting sites is available at PascoVotes.gov.

Corley also noted that eligible voters who did not previously request a ballot can still receive one by calling the elections office, by submitting the request in writing, or by using the online request form on PascoVotes.gov.

Requests must include the voter’s Florida Driver’s License number, Florida ID number or last four digits of their Social Security Number; date of birth; and, Pasco County residence address.

Written requests also must include the voter’s signature.

Vote-by-mail ballots cannot be forwarded but can be mailed to a temporary mailing address if outside of Pasco County.

Voters are encouraged to confirm their mailing address when ordering a vote-by-mail ballot. Requests are fulfilled immediately, with ballots being mailed daily. The deadline to request a ballot to be mailed is 5 p.m., Aug. 13.

Written or telephonic requests for vote-by-mail ballots must come from the voter, an immediate family member, or legal guardian on behalf of a voter.

Voters may pick up ballots at any of the three elections’ offices until Aug. 14.

Those picking up ballots on behalf of someone will need a written request from the voter, designating them as the person authorized to carry out the ballot. The designee will be asked to provide a photo ID and to complete an affidavit before a ballot will be released to them.

Corley also has announced that sample ballots are available for the Aug. 23 Primary Election. The ballots are available at PascoVotes.gov.

The ballots will be emailed to Pasco County voters on July 28.

Voters are encouraged to look over their sample ballot and familiarize themselves with the candidates and issues before going to the polls.

To expedite the voting process, voters are encouraged to bring their completed sample ballots with them when early voting or on Election Day.
To view sample ballots online, voters should know their precinct and party of registration. Florida is a closed primary state, which means the candidate choices on your ballot will be candidates of the same party affiliation. All voters, including those registered without party affiliation or with a minor political party, will have non-partisan races on their ballot, such as school board candidates, judicial races, and a local referendum.

The direct link to sample ballots is https://www.pascovotes.gov/Elections/Sample-Ballots.

The Precinct Finder option is available to voters who are unsure of their precinct number, at https://www.pascovotes.gov/Precincts/Precinct-Finder.

If your voter registration is not up to date with a current address, you will not receive your sample ballot in the mail. Sample ballots are mailed to the address of record on file. To update your address, call 800-851-8754, or go to https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home.

Published June 20, 2022