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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Bicycle association honors Kathryn Starkey’s tenacity, service

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Becky Afonso, executive director of the Florida Bicycle Association, recently honored Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey as its 2018 Elected Official Champion of the Year.

Afonso highlighted Starkey’s tenacity and public service during the Pasco County Commission’s April 23 meeting.

These cyclists attended an event on Oct. 30 to celebrate the construction of the new Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail. (File)

The association executive reminded commissioners that the Tri-County Trail connection won the 2014 Future of the Region development infrastructure award from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.

“Today, the future of the region is here and the Tri-County connection on the cusp of completion,” Afonso said.

“Commissioner Kathryn Starkey has been and continues to be, the champion of this connection and for Pasco County,” said Afonso, whose association uses advocacy and education to encourage more people to bicycle in Florida.

“I personally want to thank the commissioner for her persistence to make this vision a reality.

“Her experience, tenacity and public service record are admirable and inspirational.

“I remember a few years back, when the Florida Department of Transportation held a Coast-to-Coast Connector Trail public meeting in Webster,” Afonso said.

Starkey fought for Pasco County to host a meeting, she said.

“I also recall her determination to fill the trail gaps in Pasco County, ASAP, to ensure those using the trail will boost the local economies where shops and restaurants are accessible, and ultimately to have residents and visitors on the trail embrace Pasco as a friendly destination and a community to enjoy.

“I look forward to the ribbon cutting for the Tri-County connection. I also look forward to riding from my city of Oldsmar, come into Pasco County, have a lunch and then going back,” the association executive said.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey recently was named the Florida Bicycle Association’s 2018 Elected Official Champion of the Year.

Starkey was pleased by the recognition.

“I am honored that you guys thought of me. My path to my trail work started when I was on the Pinellas Anclote River Basin Board and then I was also doing some work within the county as a civic activist.

“When they were building the Suncoast, they built a trail along the side.

“My husband said, ‘You know, the trail and the park really should connect to that trail.”

Starkey agreed and began talking with various departments about connecting that trail.

She said when she talked to each group individually, they said they wanted it. But, they also claimed that another group did not.

So, all of the parties came together for a meeting.

“In the first 15 minutes, we had that trail connected, and then in the next 45 minutes, we figured out the funding. We split that, one third, one third, one third. So we connected the Starkey Trail to the Suncoast Trail and, because of that, then I got notice from state officials and that’s how I got put on the state’s Greenways and Trails Council. From there, that’s when I learned of the state’s plan to make a connected system in Florida, and from there, I started working on the Starkey Gap, and that was when Gov. (Jeb) Bush was in office.

“Sometimes, government goes way too slow.

“We’re really glad that gap is under construction. We’ve also worked on off-road trails in the county.

“I think trails add so much value to the quality of life to communities. I recall being at a meeting in Tallahassee when Visit Florida gave us a presentation. They said there were more people asking for trails maps than golf courses. Trails have really overtaken the recreational desires of people coming to Florida,” Starkey said.

Starkey has served for years on the State Greenways and Trails Council through appointments from Gov. Jeb Bush, Gov. Charlie Crist and Gov. Rick Scott.

She frequently points out the need to connect segments of trail, and to ensure that those connections are considered during discussions of potential changes to zoning.

The new 2.4 mile Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail is expected to be completed this summer.

Once the segment is finished, it will provide connectivity to a trail that’s more than 100 miles and continues to grow.

Published May 01, 2019

Wesley Chapel plays host to disabled hockey festival

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More than 1,000 athletes representing more than 100 teams from dozens of states recently converged on Wesley Chapel, testing their mettle in the world’s largest indoor disabled ice sporting event.

Two-time Paralympic gold medalist and world champion Brody Roybal, No. 8 on the USA Hockey team, the Chicago Blackhawks, is seen during a game with New Hampshire’s NE Passage Wildcats. Roybal, a congenital bilateral amputee, was born without legs. (Christine Holtzman)

AdventHealth Center Ice played host to the 15th annual USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival, marking the second straight year the event has called home the multi-rink Wesley Chapel hockey complex.

The festival took place the last weekend in March and first weekend in April.

It featured divisions for players who are wounded military veterans, blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, and for special needs such as Down syndrome and autism. The festival concluded with the adult sled hockey national championship.

In total, 14 programs were crowned champions within the sled and warrior hockey disciplines, including the Chicago Blackhawks Warriors capturing the sled championship title.

Wendy Major, a team leader on the Tampa Bay Lightning USA Hockey sled hockey team, center, gives pointers to 11-year-old Tyler Smith, of Riverview, left, and 12-year-old Christopher Avis, of Wisconsin, during a sled hockey demo on April 6. Major is a disabled U.S. Army veteran facing leg amputation later this year. She was wounded during a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The mission of the festival is to provide fun and exciting games, and promote and expand disabled hockey throughout the country.

Meanwhile, the event kicked off with a Friday night welcome social for participants, and a friendly game between the Tampa Bay Lightning Alumni team and the National Standing/Amputee team.

The Lightning Alumni team featured hockey Hall of Famer and 2004 Stanley Cup team captain Dave Andreychuk, alongside other well-known former Bolts players, including Brian Bradley, Jassen Cullimore and Stan Neckar.

Attendees were welcomed to the event by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, along with Andreychuk, USA Hockey President Jim Smith and USA Hockey Disabled Section Chair J.J. O’ Connor.

Moore later dropped the festival’s ceremonial puck in front of Andreychuk and David Levesque, captain of the National Standing/Amputee team.

“Pasco County is Florida’s Sports Coast, and we are thrilled to be the first in the state to host the Disabled Hockey Festival,” Moore said at the event. “I am honored to participate in an event that shows anybody can participate and be included. I thank USA Hockey for their commitment to the disabled community and coming to Wesley Chapel.”

Published May 01, 2019

Two-time Paralympic gold medalist Declan Farmer, a sled hockey player for Connecticut’s Gaylord Wolfpack, closes in on the puck during a game with the St. Louis Blues. Farmer, a Tampa native, was born with bilateral congenital limb deficiencies, which resulted in amputation.

Upgrades on tap for AdventHealth Dade City hospital

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With construction ramping up at AdventHealth Dade City, patients and staffers will soon have access to some of the new amenities and upgrades as part of $22 million in capital improvements headed to the health care facility.

An update on the various upgrades was shared in a presentation by Dr. Rodrigo Torres, chief medical officer for AdventHealth Dade City, at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce April breakfast meeting.

AdventHealth Dade City is getting a $22 million makeover in the way of new care units, technology and services. (Courtesy of AdventHealth Dade City)

The latest addition to the health care facility is a 45-bed transitional care unit, which launches on May 1.

It’s one of the many enhanced facilities the hospital will see throughout 2019.

Torres described the unit as “a rehab center, but with higher capability.”

Patients discharged from in-patient stay will be able to be at the rehab center, but still have access to hospital services, surgeons, orthopedics and other medical staff. They’ll go to the rehab center because of medical necessity, to finish medications, to work on strength and balancing, and so on.

The unit projects to have a patient volume of 300 this year, and a patient volume of 1,000 in subsequent years.

“This is going to be something great that we look forward to,” Torres said.

Across from the transitional care unit is another wing that will house post-operative patients along with patients requiring a higher level of care, Torres said.

The interior of the wing is currently being retrofitted with a fresh paint job, new flooring, new bathrooms and more.

“Everything is brand new, literally from the floor all the way up,” Torres said. “The bathrooms look better than the ones at my house.”

Other aesthetic upgrades throughout the 100,000-square-foot facility include a new lobby and overhauled cafeteria, and even a chapel.

It’s all about providing patients at the 120-bed facility the best care possible, Torres said.

“We are tearing down the walls,” Torres said, “to make sure this facility can be the best that it can be.”

Several medical equipment upgrades also are on tap at the hospital, at 13100 Fort King Road in Dade City.

That includes an outpatient X-ray machine and an on-site MRI machine that Torres called “the latest and the greatest.”

AdventHealth Dade City’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rodrigo Torres was the featured speaker The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce April breakfast meeting. Torres discussed many of the new upgrades coming to the 120-bed, 100,000-square-foot health care facility. (Kevin Weiss)

Additionally, the hospital has since implemented a robotic surgery program with the da Vinci Si Surgical System.

Torres explained the robotic system — controlled by a surgeon from a console — is used by general surgeons, urologists and gynecologists for complex minimally invasive procedures, including hernia repairs and gall bladder removals.

He noted the da Vinci machine becomes useful for surgeries that may take several hours, where physician fatigue can sometimes come into play.

Other new features have come to the health care facility of late, too.

That includes an electronic medical records system, Cerner, which has eliminated the need for paper charts.

Torres noted the paperless technology offers “clarity and transparency when providing medical care.”

“It’s a better way of keeping medical records, especially in the age of identity theft,” he said.

The hospital also has installed an around-the-clock, telemonitoring system to its intensive care unit.

The system, Advanced ICU Care, allows patients and nurses to communicate virtually with on-call physicians in cases where an intensivist is not immediately available in person at the hospital.

Torres said the technology was originally brought to AdventHealth Zephyrhills about a year ago “with great results.”

Another new service to the hospital is online scheduling capabilities for emergency room visits — allowing patients to reserve a treatment time and avoid long waits in the waiting room.

The service, accessed through GetInQuicker.com, is recommended for patients with non-life or limb-threatening emergencies.

Since its launch in February, Torres said the check-in program “is one of the best things that has happened” to the health care facility.

“We have 100 percent recommendation rate for all the patients that have used this service,” he said.

Aside from facility and technological upgrades, the hospital has added five new physicians to its staff: Dr. Olga Villa (obstetrician-gynecologist), Dr. Jennifer Roller (gynecologist), Dr. Forrest Rubenstein (thoracic vascular surgeon), Dr. Armen Duekmedjian (neurosurgeon) and Dr. Amir Ahmadian (neurosurgeon).

Torres said doctors Ahmadian and Duekmedjian will be operating out of AdventHealth Zephyrhills, but will provide consultations and services to patients at AdventHealth Dade City, as well.

With the addition of gynecological physicians and services, Torres noted the hospital may consider adding labor and birth delivery services at some point: “In the near future, that’s one of the avenues that we’re looking at.”

Torres also mentioned that AdventHealth Dade City recently received its accredited recertification from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, designating the hospital “a center of excellence for bariatric surgery.”

Published May 01, 2019

Sea turtle nesting season is here

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The month of May marks the beginning of sea turtle nesting season on many of Florida’s beaches.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking property owners and beach visitors to help nesting turtles and hatchlings by turning off or shielding lights that are visible from the beach at night.

Helping to keep the beaches dark at night is one of the most important things that can be done to help sea turtles.

Even small artificial house lights, a flashlight or cellphone camera can confuse female sea turtles and their hatchlings, causing them to wander off course.

According to the FWC, more loggerhead turtles nest in Florida than anywhere else in the continental United States, with 91,451 loggerhead nests counted statewide during the 2018 nesting season.

Leatherback and green sea turtles also nest in significant numbers in our state.

Follow these FWC basics to be sea turtle friendly:

• Turn off the light. After sundown, turn off any lights not necessary for human safety. Close shades or curtains, too.

  • Don’t take flash photos or use bright cellphones or flashlights on the beach at night.
  • Stay back and give sea turtles space if you see one on the beach at night. Do not touch a nesting turtle. It is illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles, their nests, eggs or hatchlings.
  • Clear the way by removing beach furniture, canopies, boats and toys left behind on the sand. These items can become obstacles that block nesting and hatchling turtles. Fill in any holes dug in the sand.
  • Keep your distance from nests and hatchlings. Do not handle hatchlings crawling toward the water. Any interference or disturbance by people increases the chances the hatchlings will get confused, go in the wrong direction and not reach the ocean quickly, which makes them vulnerable to dehydration, exhaustion and predators.

The FWC maintains a list of certified wildlife-friendly fixtures for property owners. The list can be found online at MyFWC.com/Conservation by clicking on the “How You Can Conserve,” “Wildlife Lighting,” and then “Certified.”

To report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922, #FWC, *FWC on a cellphone.

Learn more about Florida’s sea turtles at MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle.

Published May 01, 2019

Students learn the value of thankfulness

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Students of the Academy at the Lakes spent part of their school day on April 15 reflecting and sharing their thoughts on the value of gratitude.

The session was part of a daylong presentation known as “Day of Manners,” presented by Tia Young, president and CEO of her company, Tia Young Image and Etiquette LLC.

Young has been the presenter for the etiquette series hosted at the academy.

Tia Young, an etiquette instructor, explained the importance of gratitude to a room of students on April 15. It was part of a series entitled ‘Day of Manners,’ at Academy at the Lakes. (Brian Fernandes)

She asked a classroom of seventh-graders:  “What are we really grateful for?

“Just learning and understanding the thing that you’re grateful for helps you to thank those people that have helped you be successful,” Young said.

She used the analogy of a bucket to represent the emotional heart.

Compliments and positive comments add not only to the receiver’s bucket, but the giver’s bucket as well, she said.

On the other hand, negative words take away from both buckets — because no one benefits from this, she added.

As a former flight attendant, Young is well-versed in the do’s and don’ts of decorum.

Traveling to various countries and meeting people from different walks of life, she said that not everyone holds themselves to the same standards of mannerisms.

As the mother of a newborn, and having witnessed the events of September 11, Young was prompted to take a new career path.

She wanted to educate people on standards that everyone could live by, regardless of class or culture.

After receiving an etiquette certification, she began teaching her own courses on proper manners in 2002.

Her students’ age range varies from kids to those more seasoned in life, but said that even adults in her courses see the need for character growth.

“They know the importance of it, but they just want to get better,” Young explained.

This day’s class helped the middle-schoolers think about what they really appreciate in their lives.

Young handed out papers and asked the students to write down a list of words beginning with each letter of the alphabet on what they’re grateful for.

From A to Z, students revealed in a single word what was of importance to them.

Olivia Wells mentioned her appreciation for her entire family.

“They do so much for us and they sacrifice so much,” the 13-year-old said.

Friends were said to be admired as entertainment, while pets were seen as a source of comfort when sad.

“I’m thankful for my neighbors,” chimed in Kevin Crowley, varsity golf coach at the academy. “We’re all great friends and we help each other out.”

One student expressed gratitude for a good quality of life, and another voiced appreciation for having rights as a citizen.

In another exercise, Young used a stack of counterfeit money.

Students began naming various needs they may take for granted that their parents have to pay for.

For each need called out, whether pet food, a home or clothing, the instructor placed the bills inside a container – with her stack of bills slowly dwindling in size.

Young explained that this lesson aims to help students understand what parents must contribute to provide a comfortable life for them.

While the kids contemplated their privileges, Young encouraged them to write ‘thank you’ letters to their parents.

“Don’t take them for granted,” she said, handing out cards and envelopes. “Every day is not promised, so make sure you thank them for every opportunity you get.”

Before the students began writing, Young shared something quite sentimental to her. She held up a card with a drawing of herself that her daughter had made as a special commemorative.

As part of the lesson, Young instructed the students where to place their greeting and signature. She also offered ideas as to what to write, and how to properly address the envelope.

Ian Curry, 13, said that he left the presentation feeling well-informed on what it means to show gratitude.

“It’s a great review on being a good person, overall,” the seventh-grader added .

That’s the kind of response Young hopes students will take away from the session.

She noted how well-behaved the students were, and added that the training begins at home with the parents.

“Most times people think I’m helping bad kids, but it’s quite the opposite,” Young said.

“There are people who already have it (good etiquette). They just want to brush up on it.”

She hopes that the lessons on respect and compassion that she teaches will spread from one person to another, well beyond the classroom’s walls.

For upcoming courses or additional information, contact Tia Young at (813) 629-2785, visit www.TampaEtiquette.com, on Facebook at Tia Young Image and Etiquette or email .

Published May 01, 2019

Dade City to finalize city manager contract

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The City of Dade City is nearing a contract agreement with its newly named city manager and current finance director Leslie Porter.

Details of the latest drafted employment contract were shared and amended during an April 23 regular city commission meeting.

Leslie Porter (File)

The latest draft calls for a base salary of $98,906.00 payable in monthly installments in the same manner as other city employees are paid.

The base salary would be automatically amended to include any salary adjustments that are provided or required by the city’s compensation policies to other city employees, such as cost of living adjustments.

Additionally, the agreement calls for the city manager to receive standard benefits provided to other city employees, including holiday leave, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, term life insurance, FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) leave, short- and long-term disability, and transfer of earned benefits to named beneficiaries in the event of death.

The contract also includes provisions for sick leave, retirement contributions and expenses provided for a cellphone and professional development services.

A final version of the employment agreement is expected to be approved at the next commission meeting on May 14.

Porter would be on a probationary period during her first 90 days of employment as city manager, per the contract.

Porter, who lives in Tampa, will not be required to maintain a residence in Dade City while serving as city manager. She also will be permitted to continue operating her tax service and real estate businesses.

In the event Porter is terminated without cause within the first 180 days of employment as city manager, the city would pay eight weeks’ salary and any accrued benefits. Severance pay maximizes out at 20 weeks’ salary and any accrued benefits if Porter is terminated after two years of employment, according to the draft contract.

In the event of voluntary resignation, Porter would be entitled to accrued vacation leave and sick leave (capped at 480 hours) if employed for longer than 10 years. She would also be paid through the last workday and is required to give at least 60 days’ notice prior to resignation.

Elsewhere, regular performance reviews and evaluations have been worked into the contract agreement.

City commissioners would conduct structured quarterly reviews with Porter during her first year as city manager, then proceed to annual evaluations every year after that; pay raises or salary increases may be tied to the results of those reviews and evaluations.

In early April, the commission voted to extend an offer and enter contract negotiations with Porter to become its next city manager.

Porter has been acting as the interim city manager since February, while also maintaining duties as the city’s finance director, a position she’s held since 2014.

Porter assumed the city manager vacancy created by Billy Poe, who left the post after nearly 12 years. Poe is now the deputy city manager in the City of Zephyrhills and is expected to move up to city manager once longtime city manager Steve Spina retires later on this year.

Before coming to Dade City, Porter spent nearly a decade working as town treasurer for the Town of Chesapeake Beach in Maryland. She holds a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and a master’s degree from George Washington University.

The decision to offer Porter the city manager job came during a special meeting on April 3, when commissioners reviewed and ranked top candidates for the city manager position; Porter was one of the nine applicants who applied by the March 15 deadline.

It marked the second call for applications after the city was unable to come to a contract agreement with Tallahassee-based real estate associate Christopher Edwards, its top candidate for the city manager position back in February.

Published May 01, 2019

Know your flood risk

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Pasco County is offering an interactive, online tool for property owners to see how the proposed flood hazard data contained in the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) could impact their property.

The digital FIRMs identify flood hazards throughout the county and help determine flood insurance rates.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma dumped quite a bit a rain, leaving behind flooded roads in Dade City. (File)

Residents and businesses can view the maps to better understand their potential flood risks to help identify steps that may be needed to protect against property damage and loss.

A FEMA appeal process is now open for anyone in Pasco County who is affected by the preliminary FIRMs.

Official appeals and/or comments must be submitted directly to FEMA by mail to Rick Sacbibit, Engineering Services Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 400 C Street, Washington D.C. 20472; or by email to . The deadline to submit an appeal or comment is May 28.

After the appeals process closes, FEMA will review all public input and make any necessary revisions to the preliminary FIRMs.

The final maps will then be presented to the Pasco County Commission.

To learn more about FEMA’s flood hazard data, visit bit.ly/FloodHazardData.

For more about the Pasco County Flood Plain Management, visit bit.ly/PascoFloodInfo.

Published May 01, 2019

Grant encourages careers in advanced manufacturing

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CareerSource Pasco Hernando and AmSkills Manufacturing Training & Apprenticeships have been awarded a $100,000 grant to encourage students to explored a career in advanced manufacturing.

The grant will benefit 16 local students, according to a news release.

It will provide hands-on skills training, exploration of multiple career tracks, tours to local manufacturers, and the opportunity for job placement or paid apprenticeship with a local manufacturing company.

The AmSkills Pre-Apprenticeship Program is designed to replicate a real working environment, to prepare students for real-world careers.

Students clock-in and out, meet attendance goals, participate in team-building exercises and complete hands-on projects in various career tracks. They also have the opportunity to tour local manufacturing companies and experience manufacturing firsthand.

The program also includes soft skills training — including communication, presentations, setting goals and others, the release says.

AmSkills has a “dual-coaching” system, which identifies mentors within participating manufacturing companies and provides a program coach.

The program coach and company mentor work together to help students develop skills needed to launch their career. Students are matched with a manufacturer whose culture and environment is complementary for both participants.

Assessing technical and soft skills prior to placement allows for greater success between the manufacturer and pre-apprentice.

At the end of the 90-day program, the manufacturer, pre-apprentice and program coach map out each students training plan, and the student may officially become an apprentice working for the manufacturer.

The Apprenticeship Program provides students with paid hands-on experiences through on-the-job training with top local manufacturers and trade businesses, which helps students gain greater insight to determine their career goals.

For more information about the program or to register, contact AmSkills at (727) 301-1282, ext. 126, or visit their website at AmSkills.org.

Published May 01, 2019

Protection for freshwater springs makes progress

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Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaimed April as Springs Protection Awareness Month, recognizing springs as a natural resource unique to Florida.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) celebrated the month in recognition of the environmental, recreational and economic importance of Florida’s 900 iconic freshwater springs.

“Springs are vital to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state,” said Brian Armstrong, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, in a release.

“The District, in partnership with DEP, the governor and the Legislature, is committed to implementing projects to conserve and restore the ecological balance of our spring systems, supporting the regional economies and quality of life,” Armstrong added.

Brett Cyphers, executive director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, pointed out that under Gov. DeSantis and DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein, northwest Florida is making real transformative progress with springs restoration and water quality improvement.

And, Hugh Thomas, executive director of the Suwannee River Water Management District, said “Florida is entering a remarkable era for environmental protection” under the leadership of DeSantis and Valenstein.

As per the proclamation, the Bold Vision for a Brighter Future budget recommends $50 million in funding to restore the state’s world-renowned springs, and safeguard these natural resources through nationally recognized water quality assessment and restoration programs.

In celebration of Springs Protection Awareness Month, DEP partnered with Florida’s water management districts to continue the statewide public education initiative, “My Home. My Springs.”

The initiative highlights the uniqueness and importance of the state’s springs, as well as the restoration efforts and the expertise behind them.

Residents can access informative resources, such as fact sheets, videos, educator resources, a springs locator tool and more by visiting MyHomeMySprings.org.

Published May 01, 2019

Pasco administrator emphasizes teamwork, service

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As Pasco County’s rapid growth continues, County Administrator Dan Biles said his team continues to focus on the county’s mission.

Stated simply, it’s this: “Serving our community to create a better future.”

Biles loves the clarity and simplicity of the statement.

“How many governments have a mission statement that is eight words?” the administrator asked, during a recent luncheon meeting of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said if the county was a city, it would rank between Tucson, Arizona, and Fresno, California in terms of population. It ranks 12th in population, among Florida’s 67 counties, he said. (B.C. Manion)

The mission statement lacks the bureaucratic gobbledygook often found in mission statements.

It doesn’t even mention the word government.

But, Biles said that every member of his 2,500-member team knows that they play a role in pursuing that mission, and he noted that internal studies reveal that employee engagement continues to increase.

“I tell my team, ‘You come to work every day with the ability to go home, knowing you’ve improved somebody’s life. It doesn’t matter if you work in purchasing, and you happen to be purchasing the water valves for the water department — making sure we have clean water to go to our customers; or you work in community services and you’re working with the homeless to help the people in the county who have fallen on hard times.

“Everybody in the county has the ability to do (improve lives) that,” Biles said.

The county is a big operation, with a budget of more than $1 billion and 60 departments and divisions.

And, it’s easy to see — with new development popping up along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor, that the county continues to grow, the administrator added.

Pasco issued 50,000 permits last year, according to county records. That included permits for simple things, like water heaters, he said. But, it also included 3,600 single-family home permits last year.

Biles expects the growth to continue, and he expects the county’s population to approach 560,000, when the population is counted in the U.S. Census in 2020.

“If you look at growth trends in Florida, just among the 67 counties, there’s about 18 counties driving all of the growth in Florida,” Biles said, including Pasco County.

“For comparison purposes, if we were a city, we would rank between Tucson, Arizona, and Fresno, California,” he said, adding that it’s Florida 12th most populous county.

In terms of land mass, the area west of Little Road to the coast is actually larger than the city of Seattle, Biles added.

As the population increases, county services must increase, too, Biles noted.

“We will probably, in the next couple of years, have the second-largest fire department in the region. We’re about 630 firefighters and administrative staff in 24 stations, and we’re adding five stations,” he said.

Those stations are being financed through a bond issue overwhelmingly approved by voters last November. Voters also agreed to general obligation bonds to upgrade libraries, expand the county’s jail and enhance county parks.

Biles said his job is to guide the county in the direction that the Pasco County Commission wants the county to go.

The county has worked hard to improve its delivery of services, and has made progress, Biles said.

“It’s the existing team that has made it happen, not me bringing in a new team of people,” said the administrator, who was selected to fill the post when former County Administrator Michele Baker retired.

Biles said that he works to create an atmosphere where employees can feel comfortable expressing their opinions and sharing their ideas.

“We want to be a great organization. What is a great organization? It has people who show up to work, who want to be there,” Biles said.

Two of his goals are for Pasco County to be named a Best to Place to work, among large companies; and for the county to win a Sterling Award, for the entire county, not just a department.

Biles said the county has made strides in many areas to increase transparency, and improve access to services.

The MyPascoApp recently has been redesigned, which gives residents and customers quick access to many types of information, he said.

For instance, App users have a direct link to storm updates, he said.

“You can actually see what our wait times are at Central Permitting, on the App,” he added.

“You can drive down the street and see a new construction pop up, and you go, ‘What is that?’ “Well, in the app, under permitting, you go to the project pipeline, you can actually find out what that project is,” he said.

There are some limits, though. “If it was permitted over 2 years ago, it is not in the database right now,” Biles said.

The county administrator also told the luncheon crowd that his job is to lead his team, not to know every detail, of every project.

If there’s a discussion over the price for a piece of right of way, for example, that’s something that experts on the county’s staff can and should handle, he said.

His job, he said, is to serve the people, who serve the people.

Published April 24, 2019