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Dade City Council debates proposed rate, then adopts it

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Dade City property owners won’t see an increase in their ad valorem tax rate for fiscal year 2021-2022.

Despite a debate, the Dade City Commission voted 4-1 to adopt the tentative millage rate at 7.14 mills for fiscal year 2021-2022 — the same rate as it has been for several years.

Under state law, once a tentative millage rate has been set, the city cannot raise it before the start of the fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez (File)

The commission has the option, however, to reduce the rate before then.

At the rate of 7.14 mills, ad valorem tax revenues in the city’s general fund are anticipated to levy an estimated $2.3 million, an increase of slightly more than $262,000, up from this year’s $2 million budget.

The breakdown of ad valorem revenues comes from the assessed value of the city’s 1,857 single-family homes, of which 1,231 have at least one exemption, according to city records.

A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 worth of a property’s taxable assessed value.

The property tax on a home assessed at $95,000 at 7.14 mills would yield $678, for example.

Public hearings on the proposed millage rate are scheduled for Sept. 15 and Sept. 27.

Debate ensues over tentative millage rate
Commissioners debated at length, during their July 27 meeting, before adopting the tentative rate.

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter offered no staff recommendation, leaving the direction up to elected leaders.

Dade City Commissioner Knute Nathe (File)

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Shive made a motion to set the tentative property tax rate at 7.14 mills, quickly seconded by Commissioner Normita Woodard.

Then, Commissioner Knute Nathe opened up discussion.

He advocated setting a higher millage, at 7.497 mills, to provide greater financial flexibility to fund various initiatives discussed during a preceding 90-minute budget workshop.

This higher rate of 7.497 mills would represent a 5% increase in ad valorem revenues compared to 7.14 mills, levying slightly more than $2.4 million. (The property tax on a home assessed at $95,000 at 7.497 mills would be $729, instead of $678 at 7.14 mills.)

During the preceding workshop, needs identified included about 15 new full-time positions to resolve staffing needs across several city departments, a need to adopt a competitive pay scale and the need to address wage compression for existing employees.

Nathe noted that workshop discussion involved a lot of talk “about a lot of wants and a lot of extra dollar signs.”

Commissioner Scott Black backed Nathe’s concerns, expressing the need to give the city some “wiggle room” to help accommodate staffing needs and wage increases.

The City of Dade City set its tentative property tax rate at 6.35 mills for fiscal year 2021-2022 — the same rate as it has been for several years.

Black moved to amend the original motion to set the tentative millage rate at 7.497.

But Black’s motion failed, on a 2-3 vote, with Shive, Woodard and Mayor Camille Hernandez dissenting.

After that, Nathe suggested setting the tentative millage rate at 7.3185 mills, but that failed to find support from his colleagues.

So, board members voted on the original motion to set the tentative millage rate at 7.14 mills, passing it on a 4-1 vote, with Nathe voting no.

Hernandez pointed out that the city has some “creative funding mechanisms” it can use to resolve some staffing and salary issues.

“There are some things that we’ve had in the past that people said we couldn’t do it, and we did it,” she said.

Some of these funding options will likely be addressed in more detail at forthcoming budget workshops, she said.

“I know there’s lots of things that need to be done,” Hernandez said, “so I certainly look forward to the next workshop with some numbers and things that we can continue to have some productive conversation, as we continue to move forward.”

Shive likewise is confident with the city’s budget situation.

He suggested the municipality is “in a better position than we have in the past,” thanks to a slew of new residential developments (and thousands of new homes) coming on board over the next handful of years. “I think we’re going to be fine,” he said.

Black cautioned that items discussed during the budget workshop may not be feasible, if the city is not willing to generate the revenue that’s needed.

Published August 04, 2021

Zephyrhills draft budget shows big jump

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Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe (File)

The City of Zephyrhills anticipates a roughly 24.5% increase over this year’s budget.

The proposed budget for 2021-2022 draft is estimated at nearly $75.3 million.

That compares to this year’s budget of roughly $60.5 million.

The proposed budget also is significantly more than it was in the 2019-2020 and 2018-2019 fiscal years, which were approximately $66.3 million and $59.4 million, respectively.

The city’s proposed budget is based on a 6.35 millage rate, assessed on taxable value of aggregate property of just over $946.6 million within the city. At that rate, it is expected to generate about $5.7 million in ad valorem revenues, based on a 95% collection rate.

Within the proposed budget are anticipated leaps in the special revenue fund (estimated at slightly more than $13.1 million in the coming year, compared to about $7.2 million this year); the utility fund (estimated at nearly $22.8 million, up from slightly more than $16.4 million); and the utility impact fee fund (estimated at nearly $6.3 million, up from slightly more than $4.3 million), respectively.

Estimates for other funds are similar to previous years. Those include the general fund, at slightly more than $15.6 million; the Community Redevelopment Agency fund, at nearly $800,000; the impact fee fund at slightly more than $6.1 million; the airport fund, at slightly more than $8.4 million and the sanitation fund at nearly $2 million.

City Manager Billy Poe offered a comprehensive overview of the proposed budget to the Zephyrhills City Council, during its July 26 meeting.
Public hearings on the proposed property tax rate and budget are scheduled for Sept. 13 and Sept. 27, both at 6 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St., Zephyrhills.

Big-ticket projects abound
Poe during the meeting detailed some of the big-ticket items — including the multimillion expansion of the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, which comes in as the highest single-ticket item on the books. That project has a state appropriation of slightly less than $4.7 million.

Another 800-feet of roadwork to complete Simons Road Phase II has an estimated price tag of $2.3 million, which is included in the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. The elevated cost surprised several members of the Zephyrhills City Council during a July 26 regular meeting. Shown here is the completion of Simons Road Phase. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The municipality received the state funds to construct 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.

The budget item drawing the greatest reaction from council members involves the Simons Road Phase II project, to finish roadwork linking Eiland Boulevard to Fort King Road.

The project carries a price tag of $2.3 million, causing some council members to question its cost.

The work — funded through transportation impact fees — calls for paving about 800 feet of roadway. That’s compared to Simons Road Phase I, which cost about $2.1 million, but required about 1.1 miles of roadwork.

Phase I was completed in February 2020, paving Simons Road from Eiland Boulevard to the northern boundary of The Links at Silver Oaks.

Phase II will continue from the Silver Oaks subdivision to Fort King Road, making a continuous link between Eiland Boulevard and Fort King Road, creating a north-south connector, providing residents on the north end of town another option to get onto Eiland Boulevard.

The cost of phase II drew consternation from the dais.

Councilman Lance Smith was quick to question the cost, as did Council President Alan Knight.

Knight characterized the estimated cost as “almost ridiculous.”

Poe said he, too, was surprised by the figure.

He explained the cost — an engineer’s estimate — is attributed to the road section traversing wetlands and low areas, requiring box culverts and retaining walls, among other add-ons.

Zephyrhills Public Works Director Shane LeBlanc added to Poe’s explanation for the sticker shock, observing economy of scale and current market trends also need to be taken into account.

Given the area’s drainage accommodations, the project’s scope is more involved “than just a road section,” LeBlanc explained.

LeBlanc went on: “The engineer’s estimate was $2.3 million, and I also had a contractor look at the engineer’s estimate, and the contractor said in this day and age, that price is pretty close, so we’re hoping when we go out to bid, it’ll be less than that, but we’ve got to make sure we have enough in the budget to cover that.

The City of Zephyrhills draft budget is $75.3 million budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. Public hearings on the proposed property tax rate and budget are scheduled for Sept. 13 and Sept. 27. (File)

“Historically, an engineer’s estimate is high, so that they cover themselves, and we were skeptical and had it looked at, and it’s checked out,” LeBlanc said.

One option would be to package the Simons Road Phase II project with several other citywide roadway projects to benefit from economy of scale with discounts on construction mobilization costs, Poe said.

“We might be able to get it a little cheaper, a little less expensive,” he reasoned.

Smith noted that allocating $2.3 million in the budget for the job might result in higher bids than it would, otherwise.

“We always understand, a lot of times, if you have $2.3 million in your budget, the bids are all around $2.3 million,” Smith said.

LeBlanc acknowledged that a project’s budgeted amount often is one of the first questions a contractor will ask.

But LeBlanc said if the city allotted too little for Simons Road Phase II, and all of the bids came in higher than the budget amount, the city would need to change the budgeted amount, anyway.

The public works director also noted that a 10% contingency is built into the scope.

Major utilities projects are on tap for the city, too.

This includes a $4 million allocated in the wastewater utilities fund for the Northside lift station and force main.

The project calls for a master lift station in the vicinity of 23rd Street and Otis Allen Road, then installing a force main at Otis Allen, County Road 35A and State Road 54, into another lift station in that area. Poe explained the project not only meets septic-to-sewer initiatives but also helps to serve the rapid development on the north end of town.

Other notable utilities projects include a pair of waterline extensions combining to total $3 million — and paid through loan by Florida’s State Revolving Fund (SRF).

One aims to create a waterline loop from Copeland Drive to State Road 39 and Tucker Road ($2 million).

The other calls for a waterline loop that includes Fort King Road from Simons Road to Phelps Road ($1 million).

The city’s proposed budget also includes $1 million in Penny for Pasco dollars for sidewalk improvements throughout town — a big-picture initiative to make the city more walkable for residents and visitors.

Poe put it like this: “I want to be able to create loops in our sidewalks and our trails, so as individuals want to go out and exercise, they have a loop and it’s not just an out and back, so we’re working on connectors, and also connecting our schools to our parks and our neighborhoods, so we’re hoping that $1 million will make a big dent in our needs for sidewalks.”

Meanwhile, another $1 million-plus in Penny for Pasco funds also will go toward park improvements, the bulk set for renovations to Hercules Park.

“We’ve been talking about Hercules Park, and the enhancements we want to make there,” Poe said, “so we feel that we can put $1 million towards that. We don’t believe that will complete the entire project, but that will get us going in the right direction and be able to do a large portion of that.”

While smaller in nature, Gateway and Jennifer Lane roadway projects also would be notable — as they represent the last dirt roads in city limits, Poe noted.
Those projects — funded through transportation impact fees — are estimated at $350,000 and $120,000, respectively.

Personnel matters
The city manager also addressed various personnel matters during the budget discussion portion of the meeting.

The proposed budget calls for several additional positions, including a human resources specialist, senior maintenance mechanic, equipment operator, police officers, water distribution officer, wastewater maintenance/inventory technician and senior utility billing service representative.

Determining how many new Zephyrhills police officers to hire remains an open budget question for Zephyrhills City Council. (File)

The need for additional police officers — and how many to hire — yielded debate among the council.

Poe relayed that Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer has requested hiring six more officers, to accommodate the city’s rapid residential growth.

That would meet the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recommended standards of 2.4 full-time sworn officers per thousand residents, Poe explained.

However, the city manager himself told council he’d prefer hiring just two officers for this upcoming fiscal year, with a plan to bring on additional officers in coming years.

Hiring two more officers this fiscal year would roughly give the city 2.1 full-time sworn officers per thousand residents, he said.

The starting salary for a full-time sworn officer is $44,500 plus benefits — bringing a total cost to the city at about $70,000 per officer, per year, Poe noted.
Brewer did not speak at the meeting.

Councilman Charles Proctor, however, was vocal about considering the police chief’s request, or at least meeting somewhere in the middle.

“Personally, with the growth, I would like to see more (officers),” Proctor said.

“I mean, I’d like to try to get closer to the number that (Brewer’s) requesting. I know six is probably undoable, but if we could do four, I mean, with the growth, I am concerned that we’re going to need more.

“I would definitely like to see more than two (officers), but I know sometimes we can only do so much.”

Also on the personnel front, Poe said the budget encompasses a 3% pay increase for all employees — a total impact of $194,618 spread across the general fund, CRA fund, utility fund, airport fund and sanitation fund.

Another subject at hand is ensuring the city is in line with the minimum wage increasing to $15 per hour in September 2026. Anticipated savings from the merger of the city’s fire department with Pasco County may help methodically offset salary increases each year, Poe noted.

Elsewhere, the city manager mentioned several possible add-ons that are not yet included in the draft budget:

* $2 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to purchase and install permanent generators for the city’s utilities department
• $100,000 to transform an inline hockey rink at Krusen Field into a short-sided turf soccer field
• $65,000 for place branding the city for marketing purposes

These items will likely be considered at another meeting or budget workshop. Meanwhile, Poe said he wants to schedule one-on-one meetings with each council member to gather additional input on budgetary needs and issues.

Published August 04, 2021

Renovations will limit tax collector operations

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Renovations at the Dade City Tax Collector’s Office at the East Pasco Government Center in Dade City will temporarily affect the office’s operations, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

The office will be offering limited services from Aug. 4 through Sept. 30, according to the release.

The renovations are being made to improve customer services.

During the work, the office will continue to provide automobile/ boat registrations and renewals, all title work (Florida title and out-of-state titles transferring to Florida), hunting and fishing licenses, property tax, business tax, and dealer drop-off and pick-up work.

The office will not be handling concealed weapons permit applications or driver license services, including road testing. Those services will be provided at the office located at 4610 Pet Lane in Lutz (referred to by the tax collector’s office as its Wesley Chapel location).

To find out more about services available at the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office, locations, hours of operation and other information, visit PascoTaxes.com, or contact the centralized call center at 727-847-8032, 813-235-6076 or 352-521-4338.

Published August 04, 2021

New subdivision recommended in Land O’ Lakes

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a rezoning for a new subdivision on the southwest corner of Lake Patience Road and Perdew Drive, in Land O’ Lakes.

Applicants Pulte Home Company LLC and Curtis L. Law Inc., are requesting a change in zoning from an agricultural district to a master-planned unit development to allow 240 single-family homes on roughly 80 acres.

The land currently is occupied by a residence and agricultural pursuits, according to materials in the planning board’s agenda backup.

The county’s planners have found the request to be consistent with the county’s land development code and comprehensive plan, and they recommend approval of the request.

Clarke Hobby, an attorney representing the applicants, said the request calls for roughly 240 units, which is far fewer than the 400 possible under the comprehensive plan designation.

He also pointed to other master-planned unit developments in the area and noted that the site is located in the urban service area, where the county is encouraging most of its growth.

One resident raised concerns about traffic on Lake Patience and about any potential impacts the new development would have on an adjacent community’s two private lakes.

But Hobby said, “There’s a dedication of right of way for a future collector that runs along the eastern boundary, and I believe the lady who just spoke lives to the east of that, so our project, per se, will not end up being immediately adjacent to the road that she’s talking about or her subdivision.”

He also noted there is no access to the other community’s lakes.

The planning board voted unanimously, with Planning Commissioner Roberto Saez absent, to recommend approval of the rezoning.

The application now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction over zoning and land use issues.

Published August 04, 2021

Seeking to use historic buildings to generate a buzz

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Two historic buildings in the heart of the city could become a catalyst for attracting new life into downtown Zephyrhills.

City officials are seeking proposals from potential tenants for The Captain Jeffries House and The Carriage House — structures that have undergone relatively recent makeovers.

Local business owner Chemeka Chambers, of Zephyrhills, checked out The Jeffries House during the open house. The local landmark has been revitalized, and the city is looking for a new tenant. The city is seeking a tenant for the Carriage House on Ninth Street, too. (Fred Bellet)

“The city seeks an overall adaptive reuse of these historic buildings for the economic benefit of the area,” according to the city’s Request for Proposal (RFP).

In choosing the tenant, the city will consider the proposal’s “ability to provide an attraction or anchor” in downtown that will entice both residents and visitors alike, the RFP adds.

The document provides insight into the city’s vision for the potential of these historic buildings.

“The city believes that retail, restaurant operations are appropriate, and a feasible business opportunity, since the structures are located in the downtown Zephyrhills shopping district, which includes City Hall, the City Library, along with multiple retail shops and a microbrewery,” the RFP notes.

Linda Kerns, president of Main Street Zephyrhills, sits in the renovated lobby of the Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave., during the building’s recent open house. The City of Zephyrhills is seeking proposals from potential tenants of the Jeffries House and the adjacent Carriage House, at 5232 Ninth St. The idea is to use the historic buildings to help generate foot traffic in downtown Zephyrhills.

A city news release observes: “Both buildings are a short walk to the popular Zephyrhills Brewing Company, Your Turn Board Game Cafe, and Gentlemen’s Quarters Barber Shop.”

To encourage the redevelopment, the city may offer incentives such as zero lease payment for a period of time and assistance with remodeling costs to business owners who also invest in the property and will drive foot traffic to downtown, the city news release says.

Community Redevelopment Agency Director Gail Hamilton provides some background in the release.

“The downtown district has been evolving over the past few years into an area that draws our community members, and even people who don’t live in Zephyrhills, to it,” Hamilton says, in the release. “It’s got a very “Main Street” vibe, with the brick sidewalks, music throughout, string lights, and businesses that people enjoy frequenting. We are looking for businesses that will continue to add to the walkability and excitement of our downtown.”

The Captain Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave., is named after the city’s founder, Captain H.B. Jeffries, who established Zephyrhills as a retirement area for old Union soldiers.

The 2,365-square-foot structure, built in 1912, was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Nov. 29, 1995.

In addition to the interior space, it has a 600-square-foot wraparound porch. It has original hardwood floors, windows, light fixtures, a fireplace and stained glass windows.

Work completed in 2016 included plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC).

Local designer Allen Cooke, of Zephyrhills, who also works at Song Printing in Zephyrhills, checks out the view from a second floor window of The Carriage House. He and printer Sue Prenderville, of Wesley Chapel, toured the renovated building.

Some maintenance issues remain, which will be addressed by the city, in partnership with the new tenant. The idea is to avoid having to redo that work.

The Carriage House at 5323 Ninth St., was built in 1940. It is a two-story structure of 1,320 square feet, including a balcony on the second floor. It has restored original windows and folding garage doors.

The building has a one-bedroom apartment, with a kitchen and bathroom on the second floor, which has its own entrance.

New plumbing, electrical and HVAC work was completed in the structure during 2020.

The city’s RFP offers guidance to those seeking to lease these unique spaces.

“The city will evaluate proposals that offer further rehabilitation or reuse of the buildings in a new way that attracts people to downtown Zephyrhills.

“Innovative leasing proposals are welcomed.

“Proposals should be persuasive as to their feasibility and should reflect a realistic understanding of the building and its value,” the document says.

The deadline for proposals is 11 a.m., on Aug. 16.

An evaluation team will rank the proposals. The final selection will be determined by the Zephyrhills City Council, expected around mid-September.

Lease dates could begin as early as Oct. 1.

Published August 04, 2021

The Carriage House, at 5323 Ninth St., was built in 1940. It is a two-story structure of 1,320 square feet, including a balcony on the second floor.
Pedro Cruz, of Zephyrhills, was among those checking out The Jeffries House and The Carriage House, during a recent July 22 open house at the two historic buildings. Cruz’s son, Bengue, was in front of the historic structure serving up hot dogs. Left, Rob LaMacchia waits for his order and one for Jeremy Nansteel, both of Zephyrhills.
The Jeffries House underwent a renovation to its porch, and the refurbished porch was named The Hopkins Family Porch, to honor the donor.
Shelves of mementos and historical pictures — behind Karen Miller’s desk — tell the story of The Jeffries House. Miller, who is the purchasing agent for the city, was on hand to answer questions and give tours of The Jeffries House and Carriage House.

Library branch to reduce hours, then close for remodeling

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The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will be operating on reduced hours through Aug. 13, then will close on Aug. 14 for renovations, according to a Pasco County news release.

The library’s hours through Aug. 13 will be:

  • Mondays and Tuesdays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During its renovation, the library will undergo a complete, floor-to-ceiling upgrade.

The work is being paid for through a General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) Referendum, which Pasco County voters passed in November 2018.

Each library in the county’s system is being remodeled to provide a better user experience.

When the renovations are completed, libraries throughout the system will have updated technology, new furnishings, high-efficiency air-conditioning and faster internet.

Materials on hold can be picked up at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, next to the library, on select days.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the remodeling can be found at PascoLibraries.org/lol-remodel/.

For additional information, in general, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Published August 04, 2021

Having fun and learning, all at once

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Children had a chance to get an up-close look at big pieces of equipment — and to learn about them at the same time, during a Touch-A-Truck event, put on by Pasco County Public Works and Pasco Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

Jason Farr, a heavy equipment operator for Pasco County public works, shows 12-year-old Marsello Cammarota, of Land O’Lakes, how to operate the vac truck. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The two county departments teamed up to give about 100 children a chance to see a grader, a grapple truck, a bucket truck, a vac truck and Gradall equipment, according to information provided by Ryan Hughes, of Pasco County’s media relations and communications team.

Robert Dingman, a heavy equipment operator, explained how the grader equipment works, and Josh Timms and Joel Terkovich, also equipment operators demonstrated the grapple truck for the children.

Bryant Fretz, an equipment operator for Pasco County public works, demonstrates how the lights on the bucket truck work to twin 9-year-olds Kharington Mitchell, left, and Honor Mitchell, of Land O’Lakes.

The kids cheered, as Terkovich picked up some branches.

Bryant Fretz, an equipment operator, and Tony Felice, a heavy equipment operator, showed the kids how the bucket truck works. The boom can stretch 65 feet into the air.

Jason Farr, a heavy equipment operator, explained how the vac truck is used to clean out storm drains and remove water from sites. The kids had a chance to press buttons on the equipment to move the vacuum.

Alan Jackson, an equipment operator, and Nino Rojero, a special equipment operator, showed the children the Gradall equipment, which is used to clean swales.

“The vac truck was my favorite. It is an interesting machine,” said 11-year-old Chase Christmas, of San Antonio. “This has been fun.”

Scott Denney, a labor supervisor said, “The kids have been awesome and have asked unique questions. They have all been attentive. It’s been a great group.”

Published August 04, 2021

From left: 11-year-olds Brian Pugliese, Jace Aguiao and Matthew Broderick, all of Land O’ Lakes, sit on a tree branch at the grapple truck station.

In-person public comments return to Hillsborough meetings

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The Hillsborough County Commission once again will allow in-person public comment, in a limited capacity, at county board meetings beginning Aug. 4.

The board sets aside 45 minutes at the beginning of its regular meetings to hear from the public.

Also, in order to maintain accessibility, the board will continue to allow a virtual option for public comment, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

COVID-19 coronavirus protocols have restricted in-person public attendance at the Hillsborough county board’s meetings, which are held in the second-floor boardroom of the Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., since March 2020.

Under the new rules, seating in the boardroom will be limited, with some overflow seating available in the first-floor multipurpose room. Speakers may address the county board from either location. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and to practice social distancing. Groups will be limited to four people.

Here are the guidelines for public comment:

  • All speakers, whether virtual or in-person, will be required to sign up in advance at HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp.
  • Online registration for both virtual and in-person public comment will open 48 hours before the meeting.
  • Sign-ups for both virtual and in-person public speaking opportunities for public hearings and public comments close at 9 a.m., on the day of the meeting.
  • Speakers, both virtual and in-person, will be called on in the order of when the speaker sign-up form is submitted.

Assistance will be available at the county government building between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Unless the board chair designates otherwise, speakers are limited to 3 minutes.

Audiovisual presentations such as PowerPoints, digital photos, audio, and video files for public comments are not accepted at this time. However, presentations may be submitted to the clerk’s office for insertion into the official record. Please email any submissions to .

Presentations of proclamations, certificates, and other recognitions will continue to be virtual, for the time being.

For more information, visit HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp. For general county information, call the Customer Service Center at 813-272-5900.

Published August 04, 2021

Pasco is planning to update its mobility fees

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The Pasco County Commission is expected to update the county’s mobility fee schedule — with proposed rates increasing, decreasing or staying the same in a number of categories.

The proposed fee schedule calls for a sizable fee increase in the retail category.

It also proposes the addition of two new categories — one that provides a discount for locally owned small businesses and another that establishes a rate for accessory dwelling units.

Changes are being recommended to the county’s mobility fees, which are used to help pay for the impacts that new development has on people’s ability to get around. (File)

Mobility fees are the charges which accompany new development to help cover the costs for multi-modal impacts — road, pedestrian, bicycle and transit.

Consultant Bill Oliver, a registered professional engineer, has conducted a number of mobility fee studies for the county. He managed this one, as well.

He presented the county staff’s recommended updated fee schedule to the  Pasco County Planning Commission for its consideration during the planning board’s July 22 meeting.

The Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction, is expected to consider the proposed changes at its Aug. 10 and Aug. 24 meetings, Oliver said.

“The costs of implementing your mobility system have increased over recent years,” Oliver said.

“And, according to the Florida DOT (Department of Transportation), we expect those costs to continue to increase by about 3% per year, over the coming four or five years,” Oliver said.

“The bottom line is, the mobility fee rates do need to increase,” Oliver said. “We have to recover greater costs.”

The proposed fee schedule update would:

  • Continue the existing (zero fee) incentives for office, industrial, lodging, and redevelopment and infill in the West Market Area
  • Increase most retail fees by 50% over 4 years, divided equally by year, due to cost increases and partial or full subsidy removal
  • Increase rates for apartments by 6% annually, for a total of 24% over four years due to cost increases and full subsidy removal
  • Create a new category for locally owned small businesses, with a 50% discount in standard fees
  • Continue to charge full rates for mini-warehousing and mining
  • Increase other fees by approximately 3% annually, or about 13% over four years, to address cost increases
  • Create a reduced rate for accessory dwellings, sometimes known as mother-in-law residences

Accessory dwelling units are defined as an ancillary or secondary living unit, not to exceed 900 square feet, that has a separate kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area, either within the same structure or on the same lot, as the primary dwelling.

Oliver said the new schedule also is being changed to reflect changes made in state law during the last session of the Florida Legislature.

The new law establishes that impact fee increases must be limited to every four years, with a maximum of a 50% increase in individual rates.

A 50% increase must be implemented over four years in four equal installments, Oliver added.

In presenting his impact fee study to the planning board, Oliver said Pasco began charging transportation impact fees in 1985.

It later shifted to mobility fees and decided to provide mobility fee incentives to encourage growth in specific categories.

While the proposed fee schedule calls for increasing the rate for retail by 50% over four years, it also calls for giving a discount for locally owned small business.

He said that proposal is based on private conversations he had with each member of the Pasco County Commission at the outset of his update study.

The discount for locally owned small business is based on a concern they could not absorb the increased retail fees, he said.

For purposes of the fee schedule, locally owned small businesses are defined as businesses that are not chain operations, that have 25 or fewer employees and that are 51%-owned by people whose permanent household is in Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas, Sumter or Polk counties

All other fees, such as single-family residential, institutional fees, recreational fees, other land use categories, will be indexed over the next four years at about an increase of 3.13% per year, Oliver said.

Oliver also noted that: “By and large, Pasco County’s fee rates are comparable to Hillsborough County’s — slightly less in some cases, slightly more in other cases.”

He added that Pasco’s incentives offer a great benefit for office, industrial and lodging developments.

The consultant reminded the planning board, “the change we’re making now is supposed to last us for four years, unless we find extraordinary circumstances.”

The county’s planning department has found the proposed changes to be consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan and recommends approval to the Pasco County Commission.

The planning board voted to do the same, on a unanimous vote, with Planning Commissioner Roberto Saez absent.

If the changes are approved, they would take effect on Jan. 1, 2022, Oliver said.

Published July 28, 2021

Pasco County expanding its library options

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The Hugh Embry Branch Library is closed for remodeling and the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library soon will close for a makeover, too.

Meanwhile, in just a few weeks, the new Starkey Theatre, Library and Cultural Center will open in the Starkey Ranch development, off State Road 54, in Odessa.

Hugh Embry has been cleared of its contents, with construction set to start on remodeling the 7,223-square-foot library. The $2 million project is expected to be completed by mid-2022, according to Bob Harrison, marketing program manager for the Pasco County Library Cooperative.

Meanwhile, the 18,169-square-foot branch library in Land O’ Lakes is scheduled to close on Aug. 14, in preparation for its remodeling. That project is estimated at $4.75 million, and is expected to wrap up by late 2022.

The Hugh Embry library’s makeover will be a floor-to-ceiling remodel and will include new furnishings, updated technology, faster broadband and other improvements.(Courtesy of Pasco County Library Cooperative)

Despite the difference in size, both libraries will be getting the same treatment, Harrison said.

“Both of these libraries were built, I believe, in the ’80s, and they are well overdue for a complete remodel,” Harrison said.

The two branches will get new furnishings, new lighting, faster broadband, new computers and printers for the public, Harrison said.

“It’s a top-to-bottom remodel. Floor-to-ceiling. Everything is brand new. Literally, from the floor coverings to the wall, to the ceiling treatments,” he said.

Space is being reconfigured at both libraries to maximize the space available for public programming, Harrison added.

In-person programs were curtailed by COVID-19, but the library system hopes to be able to resume those in the fall.

“We really can’t wait to get into some of these new spaces and start doing some of the in-person programs,” Harrison said. “That’s really what the public wants.”

At the same time, though, some remote programs introduced during COVID-19 will be retained, because they are popular and they meet a need, he said.

Funding for the library renovations is coming from proceeds of general obligation bonds that were approved through a referendum in 2018, with a 66% approval rating from voters, Harrison said.

Closing the branch libraries to allow remodeling will pose an inconvenience for patrons, Harrison said.

But, he also noted that it’s not feasible to keep the libraries open while doing the upgrades.

To try to mitigate the impacts, the library system has staggered the branch closings.

For instance, Hugh Embry wasn’t closed until the New River Branch Library was reopened.

It also is looking for alternative locations where patrons can pick up book holds, to minimize the distance people have to drive to borrow materials, he added.

As the Hugh Embry and Land O’ Lakes branches are temporarily closed, the Starkey Ranch Theatre, Library and Cultural Center, referred to as the TLC, will be having its soft opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Aug. 2.

The TLC is on the campus of the Starkey K-8 School, at 12200 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, and is the result of a collaboration between Pasco County and Pasco County Schools.

“During school hours, the children and the teen area will be closed off to the public and will remain available to the kids. Once school is over, then we open it up to everybody,” Harrison said.

The library has a 250-seat theater and the library system’s first Maker Space for ceramics, he added. “There’s a pottery wheel. There’s a kiln.”

Future plans also call for a library in Seven Oaks, in Wesley Chapel.

“It’ll probably be about three years down the road,” Harrison said. “That community has been clamoring for a library close to them.”

Published July 28, 2021