The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Zephyrhills Police undergoes restructuring

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The Zephyrhills Police Department is shaking up its command staff — a measure it hopes will improve efficiency and communications throughout the law enforcement agency.

The department is adding an operations lieutenant and an administrative lieutenant, while eliminating a captain’s position and a detective sergeant’s position — roles that have been vacant for months.

The lieutenants’ positions already have been advertised internally and will be filled from the current group of sergeants. The starting salary for both is $53,584.  The starting salary for the eliminated captain and detective sergeant positions were $57,975 and $47, 696, respectively.

The new positions are expected to be filled by the end of the year or in early 2018, Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer said.

The Zephyrhills City Council approved the staffing proposal last month.

In a memo to the council and City Manager Steve Spina, Brewer said it offers a number of benefits, including, “better span of control, improved unity of command, opportunities for employee advancement and potential cost savings.”

The department’s command staff in the past has been budgeted for a chief, two captains and five sergeants, as well as 25 sworn officers.

One of those captain’s position has been vacant since June, however. The detective sergeant’s position also has remained vacant since the promotion of Capt. Reggie Roberts, at around the same time.

Because of that, Roberts has been the liaison for the agency’s operations and administrative divisions, without the benefit of another captain or detective sergeant to reduce the burden.

Adding two lieutenants — to report to Roberts — will “level out” supervision for both divisions and improve agency directives, the police chief explained.

“By placing some lieutenants in between the sergeant and the captain, it allows for information to flow a little better, and also for the captain not to be stretched so thin,” Brewer said.

Once in place, the operations lieutenant will directly oversee three departments: uniform patrol, criminal divisions and special operations — which encompass reserve, honor guard, bike patrol.

The administrative lieutenant, meanwhile, will oversee communications and administrative support and services, ranging from property and evidence management, record keeping, accreditation and training, fleet maintenance and so on.

Brewer, a 15-year veteran of the department and a former lieutenant, said the idea to reshuffle the command staff arose while he was serving as interim chief from June to September.

He was officially sworn-in as the city’s police chief in October, replacing former chief David Shears, who retired in May.

Brewer pointed out many similar-sized agencies, such as the New Port Richey Police Department, “adopt that model of more layers in-between.”

It gives the command structure “a more linear approach,” he said.

“One thing I’ve kind of noticed with the chief and the two captains over the years is that span of control is still pretty wide, so I kind of felt like this was the best way to approach the span of control, as well as just making sure things move more fluid,” the chief added.

The shuffling may also reduce agency overtime costs.

Besides assisting with administrative duties, the lieutenants would also support patrol functions by filling gaps in supervision should unforeseen needs arise from shift supervisors, such as sick time. Instead of calling in another supervisor for coverage, a lieutenant could cover the open shift to eliminate the need to call in a sergeant or officer in charge on the opposite side of the schedule.

Brewer explained, “A lot of times when sergeants accumulate overtime, we don’t have that ability to adjust their schedule, but having lieutenants may allow us to fill those gaps, so as they accumulate the overtime, we can kind of adjust their schedule and save in overtime.”

In 2014, independent consultant William Liquori, from the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA), recommended reinstituting lieutenants within Zephyrhills Police.

In his report, Liquori, a 44-year law enforcement veteran from Altamonte Springs and past president of the statewide association, said communication was a major concern among all employees, and that command staff needed to address the issue.

Brewer said that report further “reinforced the need to bring (lieutenants) back.”

By hiring lieutenants from within, Brewer said it allows for additional opportunities for promotion and internal movement for the department’s employees.

“We thought that it would create better morale; that was another thing we had looked at,” Brewer said.

Published December 20, 2017

Financial expert presents mixed U.S. economic outlook

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One Tampa-based financial expert sees a positive economic outlook for 2018, yet also remains cautious about decades ahead.

John Largent, chief investment strategist at Members Trust Company, was the featured speaker at a Dec. 13 business-networking event hosted by the San Antonio Federal Credit Union.

He offered an encouraging assessment of the current U.S. economy.

John Largent was the featured guest speaker at a Dec. 13 networking event presented by the San Antonio Federal Credit Union. Largent is the chief investment strategist at Members Trust Company in Tampa. (Courtesy of Members Trust Company)

“We’re at a stock market all-time high,” Largent told an audience of small business owners at the Scotland Yards Golf Club.

“Yields are low. Housing prices are back. All those great things like that are going on,” Largent said.

But, he cautioned that how the foreign-owned U.S. debt market is managed is something “to worry about a little bit.”

Last week, the Federal Reserve (Fed) raised interest rates by 0.25 percent, the third increase in 2017.

The decision to raise interest rates, raising the cost of borrowing, takes the Fed farther away from the ultra-low rates it put in place during the financial crisis to boost economic activity.

Even so, Largent explained the Fed’s policy to keep “artificially low” interest rates for too long — combined with negative interest rates in several European countries — could wreak havoc sometime over the next several decades.

“There will be consequences,” said Largent, who’s been an active panelist for Morningstar Advisor, Index Universe, and S&P Dow Jones Indices.

“Hopefully they won’t be as bad as ‘07 and ‘08 with the housing deal, because (investment banks) are not leveraged in this…but, our governments are really, really leveraged.”

Largent began his career on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and is past president of Chartered Financial Analyst Tampa Bay.

Since joining Members Trust Company in 2004, his team has grown managed assets from $60 million to over $2 billion.

Besides the global economy, Largent also discussed the recently finalized “Tax Cut and Jobs Act.”

The Republican plan is the largest one-time reduction in the corporate tax rate in American history — from 36 percent down to 21 percent. The bill also lowers taxes for the vast majority of Americans and small business owners — at least until the cuts expire after eight years.

Largent said the deal generally “could be a positive thing for corporations, to make it a little more competitive.”

He added the movement to 21 percent “is not a big deal,” as the Effective Tax Rate of all companies in the United States “is about 22 percent.”

“If you’re at a 36 percent tax bracket, you’ve got a windfall. However, if you’re at 15 (percent), you may be at (21) percent, and that’s not so good,” Largent explained.

He does, however, anticipate the tax plan yielding “unintended consequences” in due time.

“The law of unintended consequences is something that is absolutely very real when you move from 36 (percent) to 21 (percent),” Largent said, “and you did it so fast that you didn’t think of the consequences of this thing…”

The speaker also briefly touched on the bitcoin phenomenon that’s created a global stir.

Bitcoin is the first decentralized digital currency, created and held electronically.

He suggested it’s not really something U.S. consumers should be concerned with, even though it debuted on the world’s largest futures exchange.

“It’s a massive marketing success story,” Largent. “It’s one of the best marketing success stories ever.”

While fascinated by the cryptocurrency, Largent noted bitcoin doesn’t have a value; rather it’s just a medium of exchange.

“It’s kind of fun; that’s about it,” Largent said.

Published December 20, 2017

Adventist Health System to buy Bayfront Health in Dade City

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Adventist Health System, which is the parent company of Florida Hospital, signed an agreement to buy the 120-bed Bayfront Health Dade City Hospital, according to a news release from Adventist Health System.

The deal is expected to close in early 2018.

Details on the sales price weren’t disclosed.

The sale will include the hospital, at 13100 Fort King Road, as well as physician clinic operations and outpatient services.

“Finding a partner to allow a seamless medical care experience for our patients is important,” said Linda Stockton, in the news release. “Florida Hospital can bring their experience to build on our history of service and success.”

Bayfront is owned by Community Health Systems.

The sale is the “best plan for the future of Bayfront Health Dade City, according to the news release.

“Bayfront Health is a valuable asset to Dade City and its residents, and we want to continue the long history of providing essential care in that facility,” Mike Schultz, chief executive officer of the Adventist Health System West Florida Division, said in the release.

In recent years, Community Health Systems has struggled financially, and has been selling its hospitals.

A new release from Community Health System issued in November previewed “additional planned divestures,” based on $110 million loss in the third quarter of 2017. That was an increase over losses last year.

According to a news release, Bayfront Health in Dade City was one of those divestures.

About $40 million in losses for 2017 resulted from complete or partial shutdowns of some hospitals in Texas and Florida during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, according to the company press release.

Published December 20, 2017

It’s the holidays again, time for some homemade gifts

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It’s that wonderful time of the year that usually brings cooler weather to our Sunshine State, and gives us a chance to throw another log on the fire — or flip the switch on the electric models.

It’s also a time to spend more time with family and friends.

And, our thoughts also turn to thinking about what we can do to make this holiday season a little brighter for those we care about, which often involves a gift from the heart, or hearth.

Fortunately, there are many do-it-yourself gifts you can easily make in your kitchen. They won’t break your budget and are guaranteed to spread good cheer.

Some of you have been planning ahead and canning your bounty —turning your garden produce into family favorite jams and jellies, so that all you have left to do is to decorate those lids.

Others will use those same canning jars to make tasty treat jars for recipients.

Soup and chili are great one-dish meals that are inexpensive and nutritious.

Dried beans and peas have a lot going for them. They are one of the least expensive forms of protein, provide vitamins/minerals and fiber, and don’t require refrigeration.

Of course, everyone deserves to splurge a little during the holidays.  So, gift jars can be made holding ingredients for brownies or cookies.

The ingredients that are needed can be easily assembled with an interesting layered-look, and bright colors to appeal to any youngster.

And, we just can’t forget our four-legged friends during the holidays. Just remember, that even for pets, these treats are considered “sometime foods,” so don’t let them pig out and pack on the pounds during the holidays.

So, here are a few recipes for last-minute gifts for teachers, neighbors, mail carriers, party hostesses and so on. The jars also make a nice addition to a gift basket, with other food or other items.

Last but not least, be sure to give yourself time to savors the joys of the season.

Happy Holidays!

Betsy Crisp, MS, LD/N, is a professor emeritus for UF/IFAS Extension – Family & Consumer Sciences

Barley-Pea Soup (makes 4 gifts)
Ingredients4 pint canning jars

1 package (16-ounce) each: Pearled barley; green split peas; lentils

Seasoning packet (make four/repeat measuring amounts below, four times)
4 small zip-top snack bags

1 bay leaf

1 Tablespoon each: dehydrated onion and parsley flakes

2 teaspoons low-sodium chicken bouillon granules (or powder packets)

½ teaspoon each: oregano; thyme; teaspoon garlic powder (or one clove minced fresh); lemon-pepper seasoning; and, ground black pepper

Cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)

Preparing the jars:
Wash jars and let dry completely

In a large bowl, mix together barley, peas and lentils. Distribute evenly into four, one-pint canning jars.

Into each of the zip-top snack bags, add the listed seasonings. Seal bag and add to jar. Cover with lid and band.

Decorate jar with fabric and ribbon.

Include a card with these instructions for making Barley-Pea Soup.

Barley-Pea Soup
Ingredients
1 jar soup mix (stores for up to six months)

1 quart chicken broth

2 cups water

2 cups cooked chicken (or ham, or sausage, or beef cubes (but substitute beef broth for chicken broth and beef bouillon granules.) The same can be done to create a vegetarian soup, using 2 cups or more of vegetables.

Note: Fresh vegetables such as sliced celery, carrots, diced onion, green peppers, potatoes and so on may be added, too, but are optional.

Instructions:
Remove seasoning packets from jar and set aside.

Empty barley, peas and lentils into a colander to rinse and sort, remove any debris.

In a slow cooker, or a large pot on top of a stove, add soup mix and seasoning packet, chicken broth, water and meat.

Slow cook, high for 4 hours to 5 hours or low for 8 hours to 10 hours, or simmer on stove top for 50 minutes to 60 minutes, until peas are tender. Remove bay leaf. Serve with croutons (optional). Makes six, bowl-sized servings, or 12 cups.

Fudgy M & M Brownies (makes one gift jar)
Ingredients
1 canning jar (1 quart)

1 cup + 2 Tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

1/3 cup baking cocoa

2/3 cup granulated white sugar

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

½ cup milk chocolate M & Ms (great for kids, but adults may prefer ½ cup chopped pecans/walnuts)

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions
Wash jars and let dry completely

In a large bowl, mix together the first three (white) ingredients (which will become the first layer to be added to the jar.)

Each of the other ingredients on the list becomes another layer. (Use the back of a wooden spoon to carefully pack each layer before adding the next one)

When finished, apply lid and seal with band. Decorate jar with fabric/ribbon and include the following card: Fudgy M&M Brownies

Fudgy M&M Brownies
Ingredients:
1 jar brownie mix

3 large eggs

2/3 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil and vanilla.

Add brownie mix and carefully stir until all ingredients are moistened/blended.

Pour into a greased 8-inch square pan.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes to 30 minutes. (Be careful not to overbake)

Cool on wire rack before cutting into 2-inch squares. (Makes 16 brownies)

Homemade Dog Biscuits (makes 2-3 gifts)
Ingredients
2 or 3 airtight storage containers

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup wheat germ

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¾ cup water

¼ cup creamy peanut butter

1 large egg

2 Tablespoons canola oil

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large bowl, whisk together first three (dry) ingredients.

In a smaller bowl, combine next four (wet) ingredients and mix well. Add to dry mixture and mix well.

Turn out onto a floured surface. Roll to ¼-inch thickness and cut out dough with dog bone cookie cutters (They come in various sizes).

Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies (1 ½” to 3 ½”) They are done when the bottom is slightly browned.

Let cool on a wire rack and then package in airtight containers.

Published December 20, 2017

Iconic scenes offer good cheer across the region

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The Historic Pasco Courthouse in downtown Dade City is dressed up for the holidays. (Richard Riley)

Whether it’s a traditional Nativity scene in San Antonio, a dressed up historic courthouse in downtown Dade City, synchronized music and lights at a shopping mall in Wesley Chapel or an old-fashioned Christmas at the Old Lutz School — the spirit of the season abounds across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Whether you’re gathering with family and friends here, or traveling elsewhere to enjoy the holidays, we at The Laker/Lutz News want to wish you the very best that life has to offer during the holiday season, and throughout 2018.

Published December 20, 2017

Choirs and bands provided holiday music at many venues this season. (RIchard Riley)
A look at one of the many realistic scenes from a Walk Through Bethlehem at Richland Baptist Church. (Richard Riley)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dade City Garden Club helped to decorate the Pioneer Florida Village & Museum. (Richard Riley)
Giant old-fashioned holiday cards convey an expression of seasonal cheer to those passing by, or dropping into, the Old Lutz School on U.S. 41. (B.C. Manion)

Peeking behind the scenes at Busch Gardens

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Pasco County Master Gardeners recently took a behind-the-scenes tour at Busch Gardens in Tampa, to get a closer look at the theme park’s horticulture, topiaries, turf management and more.

Jenny Gerard, Wayne Porter and Robin Manino, who work for Busch Gardens, gave the Pasco County Master Gardens a tour of the theme park’s horticultural displays, including a look at seasonal and permanent topiaries at the park. (Courtesy of Madonna Wise)

Wayne Porter, supervisor of landscaping, greeted the group of gardeners at the entrance near Busch Gardens’ colossal topiary lion.

Porter, who lives in Pasco County and is a graduate of the University of Florida, gave an overview of the 360-acre theme park.

Jenny Gerard, who graduated from State University of New York, told the group about the theme park’s topiaries.

Although she studied plant pathology and related coursework, she was introduced to topiaries during an internship at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania.

This topiary depicts Mary, Jesus and Joseph, in a seasonal display showcasing the Nativity scene.

She described the process used to create topiaries, comparing a topiary to a human body — complete with a skeleton, muscle structure and skin.

The process of creating a topiary involves using rebar to create the metal structure, using bent metal for the bones and using flexible plastic fiber to create the frame. The figure is then fleshed out sphagnum moss which holds the plants, and plants that simulate images.

Gerard told the group that maintaining topiaries is a painstaking process, involving frequent watering and inspection.

This topiary depicts Mary, Jesus and Joseph, in a seasonal display showcasing the Nativity scene.

During the tour, master gardeners also were given a close look at the Nativity topiaries, which took four people about a month to create. Materials used to create the Nativity scene includes an abundance of alternanthera, dusty miller, ficus and other materials, as well as coco fiber used to create authentic-looking camel hair.

Gerard also took master gardeners on a tour of Christmas Town, which features 2 million lights and includes a model train and village. That exhibit will be on display until Jan. 7.

Robin Manino, another Busch Gardens employee, led the master gardeners on a tour to show them some of the theme park’s flower beds and baskets. She said the park purchases tiny plant plugs from nurseries and then cultivates the plants.

By Madonna Wise

Published December 20, 2017

They hit the water to solve crimes, make rescues

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A Pasco Sheriff’s Office team has been trained to respond to emergency calls involving water rescues, and to search for evidence in lakes, rivers and other water bodies.

The tactical units, called the Underwater Recovery/Swift Water Response Team, includes divers, rescue swimmers and deputies who pilot boats.

“We really can do anything that needs to be done on the water,” said Lt. Jay Galassi, who oversees the Marine Unit.

The Underwater Recovery/Swift Water Response Team held a training exercise on Dec. 4 at SunWest Park on Old Dixie Highway in Hudson, to practice its new waterborne skills. The unit was deployed over the summer during Hurricane Irma to assist residents living in flood-prone areas, such as the Elfers community in Pasco County. They also recovered items and debris in the November plane crash of former Major League Baseball pitcher Roy Halladay. (Kevin Weiss)

The 18-member team became nationally certified in November, after completing advanced swift water training through Dive Rescue International.

The certification means the team is ready to serve a wide range of scenarios, from safety and security, to special waterborne operations — even in strong water currents.

Officials say no mission is too large, whether its retrieving cars crashed in bodies of water, rescuing drowning victims, or looking for evidence or weapons underwater.

The certification also allows it to assist in Federal Emergency Management Agency-related response efforts, on a local, regional and national level.

“We could deploy to Texas, we could deploy to South Florida, North Florida, wherever…and then still have a team here that could effectively deal with issues in Pasco County,” Galassi said.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office began the task of creating and implementing a Swift Water Recovery Team in late 2016 for rescue and recovery operations in areas that frequently flood in the county.

The team initially planned to include just four members who would respond to any swift water event in Pasco County. But, as the process of creating the team evolved, the Sheriff’s Office obtained funding from private citizens allowing the agency to dedicate more than a dozen fully trained and equipped personnel to the team.

The unit has been deployed for several high-profile occasions this year.

For instance, they assisted during Hurricane Irma to provide aid to residents living in flood-prone areas, such as the Elfers community.

They also recovered items and debris from the November plane crash of former Major League Baseball pitcher Roy Halladay.

They also conducted underwater searches in Wesley Chapel in a recent missing persons case.

The team held a training exercise on Dec. 4 at SunWest Park on Old Dixie Highway in Hudson, to practice and maintain its new waterborne skills.

Mitch Bollenbacher is a member of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s Swift Water Response Team. The team’s 18 members retrieve cars crashed in water, rescue drowning victims, conducting evidence and weapons searches underwater and handle other water-related duties.

Team members tested three new 12-foot long INMAR inflatable/recovery boats purchased from private community donations.

As part of the drill, they assembled the boats — which involved inflating them and connecting motors — and then they operated them on the water.

They also practiced setting up what’s called a highline, a rope that connects to the boat and is controlled by someone on land. The rope line helps stabilize the boat for rescue and recovery operations in high waters or strong currents.

“We just kind of keep current on getting the speed down of getting the boats out and getting them in the water. The water here is nice and clean, so we just run the boats out here and get the motors all cleaned up,” Galassi said of training at SunWest Park.

The boats, equipped with 25-horsepower Suzuki motors, are designed to hold steady control in all bodies of water, fighting against heavy winds and currents.

They are being used instead of the larger, bulkier boats the team previously used, said Mitch Bollenbacher, a member of the team.

“These are easier to maneuver. They sit very still,” Bollenbacher said. “You can anchor the boat, and then a diver can dive off the back of it. The boats aren’t really affected by the wind or the current. They kind of maintain control in the water.”

Bollenbacher also said the boats can traverse tight-access areas, including lakes, canals and retention ponds — where someone might discard a body, weapons or another type of criminal evidence.

“It’s definitely something that we needed at the Sheriff’s Office,” said Bollenbacher, who’s been with the agency more than four years.

“We can now definitely search an area and say, ‘No, it’s not here.’ You can 100 percent say, ‘There’s no one here, there’s no object here, and we searched it,’”

said Bollenbacher, who is a swimmer and a diver, and has been around the water since he was a teenager.

To be considered for the special unit, deputies must pass a standard test for their water skills.

Even with his skills, Bollenbacher said there’s still trepidation in and around water, with the presence of alligators and other unknowns.

“It’s Florida. There’s always a fear,” he said.

The team takes precautions to stay safe.

“The biggest thing is safety, double-check and use the right equipment for the right job,” Bollenbacher said.

By year’s end, the agency looks to also have its Underwater Recovery Team, or tactical dive team, certified as a specialized unit of the Division of Homeland Security. It would allow the Sheriff’s Office to assist federal task forces in waterborne operations, including: antiterrorism and maritime dignitary protection, drug interdiction, underwater crime scene, special response team support, and maritime surveillance.

Published December 13, 2017

Dade City poised to adopt anti-corruption code

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Dade City is on track to become the first municipality in Pasco County to embed an anti-corruption measure into its city charter.

The Dade City Commission and members of the Charter Review Advisory Committee met Dec. 5 to discuss recommendations on charter revisions.

Plans are to let voters decide on at least some of those recommendations during the April 2018 city elections. Other items might be handled through an ordinance instead.

Details on which charter items to include on the ballot will be determined in coming weeks.

A handful of residents attended the Dec. 5 meeting at City Hall, including members of the nonpartisan citizens’ group, Representing Pasco.

The activists are part of a growing anti-corruption movement in Florida.

Tallahassee and Cocoa Beach have been at the forefront of approving ethical standards for elected officials and government employees.

Locally, Representing Pasco wants the county and other cities in Pasco to follow Dade City’s example.

“We think people are basically protected through ethics provisions (in the charter),” said Land O’ Lakes resident Elyse Mysles.

She told committee members and city commissioners that Representing Pasco plans to actively educate the public about the charter’s ethics measure.

The charter committee has recommended that the city fund its own educational outreach effort.

The citizens’ group also had a request.

“It is our hope you’re including at least one citizen as part of the board to investigate complaints,” Mysles said.

The charter review is routinely completed every 10 years. Committee members began meeting last summer and presented their final report in November.

Committee members were Judge Lynn Tepper, Steve Hickman, Julie Hale, Dr. Bernice Mathis, Pablo Vela-Guerrero, Mattie Jones and Jim Ward.

Marilyn Crotty served as facilitator. She is the director of the Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida.

Crotty said there is an anti-corruption trend statewide. Some cities have ordinances, or they designate someone as an ethics officer who investigates complaints, she said.

However, using a charter to establish ethics standards is rare, she added, and it has more permanency that an ordinance.

The amendment, if adopted, would require a code of ethical standards for elected officials and employees. The city commission would have six months to establish a local ethics code once the amendment passed.

“You can establish how strong you want it to be,” Crotty said.

Other recommendations from the charter review committee include:

  • Banning former city commissioners from doing business with the city for one year
  • Removing a city commissioner from office for a misdemeanor conviction for dishonesty or making a false statement (The current standard is conviction for a felony)
  • Making the finance officer a charter position, which is appointed and removed by a simple majority vote of the City Commission

The charter review committee also discussed some issues that are not included in the charter revisions.

Members suggested an ordinance that would cap local finance campaign contributions at $250 per individual per election.

Crotty said several cities, including Tallahassee and Cocoa Beach, have adopted limitations.

“This would remove the possibility of someone trying to buy a seat,” she said.

However, Dade City Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon wondered how that would work in races where one candidate could afford to fund his or her own campaign. The cap didn’t seem to address that, she said.

“I feel like that hurts the candidate who is not, as an individual, as well-funded,” Newlon said.

Committee members also didn’t include a recommendation that the city manager live within city limits. Some favored that, but there wasn’t a consensus.

“I do feel he or she should be fully invested in the city and its goings on,” said Hale.

Others said there should be some flexibility, and it should be an issue addressed in contract negotiations.

There also were differences on whether hiring or firing a city manager should require a super majority vote, rather than the simple majority required now.

“When you have a super majority, it does give job security,” said Dade City Commissioner Scott Black, who favors the switch. With a simple majority, he said, a qualified candidate might hesitate to apply.

Tepper observed: “Making it stable should be the goal.”

Published December 13, 2017

Residents discuss potential funding options

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Pasco County commissioners want to know if residents enjoy their parks and libraries enough to pay higher taxes for “quality of life” services.

Three community forums, in Hudson, Dade City and Land O’ Lakes, were held to get public input on the matter. Residents also have an opportunity to complete a 45-question survey on how to pay for parks and libraries.

A series of survey questions, for instance, ask if residents would be willing to pay monthly increases in property taxes of $6, $8 or $10 to pay for those amenities.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Land O’ Lakes Branch Library. The library celebrated the restoration of Monday hours. County commissioners will consider a property tax increase to help boost budgets for parks and libraries. (File)

About a dozen residents attended the forum at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center on Nov. 29.

There were mixed reactions.

Joel Jackson moved from Hillsborough County to Pasco about six years ago. “I was a little bit shocked at how little in services there were,” he said. “By all means, if we need to spend more money, absolutely.”

But, a couple from Gulf Harbors, Mitch and Diane Kobernick, weren’t convinced. “It seems we’re being nickeled and dimed to death on our taxes,” said Diane Kobernick.

At a workshop in October, Pasco County commissioners discussed one option to direct more tax dollars to parks and libraries. They could create a special tax district, known as a municipal services taxing unit.

Based on a set millage rate, the county would collect property taxes to fund those departments. Estimates range from a low of about $71 a year to a high of about $97 a year per household.

Or calculated in another way, the cost to a family living in a house valued at $100,000 would range from about $5.92 a month to about $8.12 a month.

No decision on the taxing district was made.

Most county commissioners leaned toward putting the matter on a referendum in 2018. The results wouldn’t be binding, but would give commissioners guidance in reaching a decision.

They have authority to create a taxing district now, if they choose. Instead, they asked county staff members to report back after reaching out to the public for comments.

At each forum, residents get information on the financial plight of parks and libraries, and scenarios on how to increase funding to each department.

Those scenarios include the taxing district but also other options, including increases in funding from general revenue sources.

“The goal is to get as much input as possible,” said Keith Wiley, acting director of the parks, recreation and natural resources department.

In past years, parks and libraries had significant budget cuts as a result of the 2008 economic downturn. Neither has fully recovered, though some additional funding has been approved.

Parks, for instance, received about $1.5 million to aid in deferred maintenance costs for 2018.

Pasco County commissioners “have been very supportive with a limited pot of money,” said Cathy Pearson, assistant county administrator for public services.

The financial picture for parks and libraries isn’t rosy.

The total in deferred maintenance is about $14 million. The parks’ annual budget is about $9 million.

“At the current rate of funding, we’re never going to catch up,” Wiley said.

The library spends about $13 per person annually for its services while the state average per person is about $26.

Based on state library standards, Pasco needs about 170,000 square feet of additional library space, and another 40 employees. The next library slated for construction, at Starkey Ranch, would be in 2021.

There are more budget stresses on the horizon.

The county’s overall budget could take a significant dip, if voters approve a $25,000 increase in homestead exemption in a November 2018 referendum. County officials estimate losing about $8 million in property tax revenues.

Still, some residents, including the Kobernicks, aren’t prepared to take on a tax increase. The Gulf Harbor couple, and others in their community, already face an assessment based on the county’s $1.2 million purchase of the former Gulf Harbor golf course. The property went into the county’s Environmental Land Acquisitions and Management Program.

The cost would be split between the county and about 1,700 Gulf Harbor residents. However, Diane Kobernick and Susan Levine have filed a lawsuit challenging the sale.

Others, though, are open to a property tax that would give parks and libraries a dedicated funding source.

Every year, those departments compete with other departments, including public safety, for general revenue funds, said Joan Clarke, president of the Land O’ Lakes Friends of the Library.

And, they struggle each year to provide residents with services they need, she said.

Even with all the growth in Pasco, she said, “They still have no library in Wesley Chapel.”

To take the survey, visit PascoCountyFl.net or https://goo.gl/J96J3K.

Published December 13, 2017

Residents get preview of Curley Road project

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New development is changing the landscape in northeast Pasco County.

And, road projects – both state and local – are seeking to address road widenings and intersection improvements to handle a growing volume of vehicles along State Road 52, and its offshoots.

Residents check out proposed road improvements in northeast Pasco County. (Kathy Steele)

Residents had a chance on Dec. 6 to review proposals for road work on Curley Road, including its intersections with State Road 52, Prospect Road, and the future Mirada Boulevard.

New developments along Curley include Epperson, with its Crystal Lagoon, the future Mirada master-planned community, and the Villages of Pasadena.

Pasco County officials were available to answer questions about Curley. Residents also could leave written comments.

Pasco County commissioners are expected to get a report on the study in January. However, no funding is available for either design or construction of the project.

Work is not likely for several years.

“There may be further appropriations for improvements, but we don’t know yet,” said Panos Kontses, a Pasco County project manager.

The Curley Road Route Study Re-evaluation is an update of a study done in 2005, before new development began sprouting along Curley Road.

The original study reviewed Curley Road, from north of Wells Road to north of a realignment of State Road 52 that will link with an extension of Clinton Avenue. The new focus looks at one segment of the study from north of Tindall Boulevard up to the realigned state highway.

Pasco officials also sought comments on whether residents preferred traffic signals or roundabouts at intersections.

“I hate seeing (development), but you’re not going to stop it,” said area resident Jimmy Smith. “I’m just here seeing what they’re offering.”

In general, Smith said road plans seem to come too late and can’t keep up with growth.

“They’re always backwards, the cart before the horse,” he said.  “I just don’t have too much faith in how they’ll do the engineering,” he added.

Longtime resident Margaret Beaumont worried about where the county would take right-of-way. They should do so where there is more vacant land, and fewer businesses and homes that would be displaced, she said.

She also added: “I don’t like roundabouts.”

Resident John Gassler is worried that the Knights of Columbus building on Curley Road could lose frontage to right-of-way, or possibly even lose the building itself.

But, as a former Hollywood (Florida) resident, he doesn’t object to the roundabouts. Hollywood had three of them, and he became accustomed to driving through them, Gassler said.

According to county data, 27 parcels to 30 parcels would be affected by the project, with one business or two, and between four to seven homes needing relocation.

Estimated construction costs range from about $32 million to more than $35 million.

Before the county gets to Curley Road, the Florida Department of Transportation will begin construction on about 7 miles of the realigned State Road 52. That work should begin in fall 2019 and be completed in 2021.

The project will build a new four-lane road from Uradco Place to Prospect Road/Happy Hill Road, with two additional lanes added from Prospect and Happy Hill to west of Fort King Road. New traffic signals, a 7-foot bicycle lane, 6-foot sidewalk and 10-foot multi-use trail extending to Curley Road also will be built.

Pasco County is expected to contribute more than $4 million toward right-of-way purchases for a total project cost of more than $107 million, according to county records.

Published December 13, 2017