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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Pasco’s budget is lean on new initiatives

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While the tax increase for fire services dominated the discussion at Pasco County’s final budget hearing on Sept. 19, the overall spending plan covers everything from pay raises to increased code enforcement to athletic field maintenance.

Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa told the Pasco County Commission that the county’s budget was thoroughly scrubbed, to keep it as lean as possible before he presented it to the board. (File)

During its discussion of increasing the Fire Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) millage rate from 1.8 mills to 2.1225 mills, county board members agreed to reduce the operating millage from 7.6076 mills to 7.57 mills.

One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value.

In reducing the operating millage, the board directed County Administrator Mike Carballa to make across-the-board cuts, including the budgets of the county’s constitutional officers, where that’s legally possible.

At both public hearings on the $2.1 billion budget, Budget Director Robert Goehig offered an overview and covered some of the spending plan’s highlights.

“Last year, we were here talking about the record height of new construction in Pasco County,” Goehig told the board.

But it turns out this year’s new construction surpassed last year’s mark by about $500 million.

“We’re almost at $2.5 billion in new construction values in Pasco County,” Goehig said.

However, at the same time, he said: “Inflation is taking its toll on our ability to meet customer demands. We have growth in demand for services.”

Here are some of the highlights for this year’s budget:

  • Health insurance costs are going up because of inflation.
  • The county also must increase its contributions to employee retirement costs because of a state mandate.
  • The county has assumed operations of the detention center from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and is facing renewal on contracts that are expected to cost more. A 15% increase has been budgeted for those renewals.
  • The county has earmarked $1 million Pasco Hope, to address homelessness.
  • Additional staff is being hired, including an animal services officer, five code enforcement officers and detention center crew leaders.
  • Additional funding is being provided to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) to cover the cost of 10 additional deputies.
  • A 5% wage increase is planned for county employees.
  • Operations of Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, now being run by the county, $300,000

Highlights in the capital budget include:

  • Building renovations and upkeep: $5.8 million
  • IT hardware and software: $1.4 million
  • Parks and recreation athletic fields: $300,000
  • Parks maintenance: $1 million
  • Pinehill Park improvements: $1.4 million
  • Detention Center expansion: $2.9 million
  • Magnolia Valley Park, phase one: $5 million
  • Seven Oaks Library: $5 million

Funding to outside sources, includes: 

  • $19,500 in additional funding for Pasco Kids, which provides examinations for children who are thought to be victims of abuse
  • $85,000 in additional funds to United Way, which has not received an increase since 2015

About 40% of the increase in property tax revenues will go to the PSO, as part of an agreement between the county and the sheriff. The split previously was 50-50, but the county decreased it to 40%, after taking over jail operations.

Most of the increases in the budgets for the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office, the Property Appraiser’s Office, the Supervisor of Elections Office and the Tax Collector’s Office are  related to wage hikes and higher costs for retirement and health care.

The Supervisor of Elections Office also will have additional expenses because of the Presidential Preference Primary and local elections in August, and some funding has been earmarked for the clerk’s office to pay for updates to the criminal justice system software, Goehig said.

Published October 04, 2023

Pasco scores grant for New River debris project

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a cooperative grant agreement between the county and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), relating to cleaning up debris in New River, in an area of Wesley Chapel.

The agreement calls for the project cost not to exceed $1,799,712, according to materials in the county board’s Sept. 19 agenda packet.

The Pasco County Commission has approved a cooperative grant agreement between the county and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), relating to cleaning up debris in New River, in an area of Wesley Chapel. The agreement calls for the project cost not to exceed $1,799,712. (Mike Camunas)

The project funding is related to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, which caused a significant amount of damage in the New River waterway, on Sept. 28, 2022.

Hurricane Ian littered the waterway with debris, branches and fallen trees, in an area between Betts Drive and Creek Road.

That debris impeded the river’s flow and has created potential risks to life and/or property.

The county’s public works department is undertaking a project to restore the impacted section of the New River to pre-storm conditions by removing the debris, branches and fallen trees.

The public works department applied for a grant from the NRCS to help pay for the project, under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program of the federal Flood Control Act of 1950. 

The public works department received word on April 17, 2023, that its grant had been approved.

Under the grant, the NRCS will provide 75% of construction costs, which totals $1,249,800, and all technical assistance costs up to 8% of construction costs, up to $133,3120, for a total of up to $1,383,112 in federal funding.

The county is expected to provide the remaining 25% of the cost, which equals $416,600, as well as any technical assistance costs that exceed the federally funded amount.

The cooperative grant is a cost reimbursement grant.

The county will spend the budgeted funds and then request reimbursement. The county has until March 1, 2024 to complete the eligible work.

Published October 04, 2023

Zephyrhills approves 2023-2024 fiscal budget

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The City of Zephyrhills has adopted a budget of slightly less than $106.5 million.

The Zephyrhills City Council has approved a millage rate of 6.25 for the 2023-20224 fiscal year. One mill equals $1 for every thousand dollars of taxable value.

The City of Zephyrhills approved its 2023-2024 fiscal budget, with the tab coming in at just over $106 million, a $6 million increase from last year. (Mike Camunas)

This is the fifth time, out of the past six budgets, that the city has increased its spending plan.

The millage rate approved on July 24 is expected to generate $7,990,644 of ad valorem tax revenue for the general fund. 

The council adopted a budget of $106,470,399 for the coming fiscal year, up slightly from the previous year, at its Sept. 25 meeting.

Total expenditures for the 2022-2023 budget were $100,621,184.

The city — Pasco County’s largest municipality — now has an estimated property valuation of more than $1.1 billion. It also has a steadily increasing population, which is now approaching nearly 20,000.

Several ongoing projects in the city, however, were part of last year’s budget, including the city’s massive sidewalk construction project spanning approximately 10,500 linear feet in areas surrounding West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

The city earmarked $1 million of the 2022-2023 fiscal budget — which is a 33% increase from the previous year — specifically to address this sidewalk project, which is expected to be completed in June 2024.

Funds for the sidewalk project, as well as other projects, such as the Hercules Park project, were made available through the Penny for Pasco initiative, which was renewed through Dec. 31, 2039 in the municipal elections in November 2022.

Published October 04, 2023

Merger is pending for Dade City and Zephyrhills chambers

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The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce are discussing a merger to become the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The chambers announced the pending merger in a news release on Sept. 28.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce are discussing a pending merger to become the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the two chambers announced on Sept. 28. (Mike Camunas)

Discussions of a possible merger have popped up in the past and now the two groups are in the planning stages to create a single business support organization.

They are expected to combine their efforts to “continue to strengthen and enhance the businesses throughout East Pasco.
By uniting their efforts they will be able to bring “new cooperative marketing opportunities, workforce development strategies and a stronger combined effort for advocacy,” the release says.

During the coming weeks, committees will address how to preserve traditions, while assisting area businesses to help build prosperity.

“The merger aims to enhance the organization’s presence in the area including workforce development, membership services, small business networking, mentoring, growth opportunities and a broader impact in this fast-growing economic environment,” the release adds.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce has been operating as a successful trade association organization for over 50 years and represents over 430 businesses, associations, nonprofits, and individuals throughout Pasco County, according to the release.

Membership in The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce includes businesses, government agencies, public-private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and individuals with a shared interest in preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Zephyrhills, the release says.

The East Pasco Chamber Foundation is incorporated in the State of Florida as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is dedicated to advancing the quality of life in East Pasco through education, leadership, economic development, and community enhancement.

Revised October 03, 2023

Pasco residents will pay a new tax to cover costs for residential road improvements

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Pasco County is proceeding with a new tax assessment to cover the costs for residential road projects.

The new tax is expected to be on tax bills sent out in November 2024.

The Residential Road Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) will replace the county’s Paving Assessment (PVAS) system, that’s been used for decades.

Pasco County plans to institute a Municipal Services Taxing Unit tax to pay for local road improvement projects. The system will replace the decades-old Paving Assessment (PVAS) program. Plans call for sending out tax bills with the new assessment beginning in November 2024. (File)

The PVAS system required the owners of a majority of property along a street that would benefit from the program to agree to proceed with the paving.

Once agreement was reached, the Pasco County Commission would consider the PVAS application, and if approved, all of the property owners on the street would be assessed for the improvement, whether they wanted the improvement or not.

The program pitted neighbors against neighbors.

In some cases, owners of the majority of the land would not agree to the improvement.

In other cases, property owners along a street pleaded to the county board for relief, citing an inability to pay.

Additionally, the PVAS system had no funding for maintenance or repairs of dangerous sidewalks.

Those issues are expected to be addressed through the new Residential Local Road Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU).

The county board voted on Sept. 19 to continue the county’s pursuit of the MSTU to replace PVAS.

The new MSTU will show up on tax bills, creating a source of revenue to pay for local road projects, maintenance, and in limited cases, sidewalk projects.

The boundaries of the new Residential Local Road MSTU includes all unincorporated areas of Pasco County, except for parcels that currently — or in the future — are subject to or within the boundaries of an Active PVAS; and, parcels within a Homeowners’ Association or Community Development District that maintains its private roads.

The county board also has granted property owners who have paid or are paying their PVAS assessments a two-year reprieve from the new assessment. They said some sort of reprieve is only fair, but they don’t want to make the tax break too long because they don’t want to cripple the system.

Justin Grant, public infrastructure fiscal and business administration director, said the goal is to proceed with the new system in time to include the MSTU assessments on the tax bills that will be sent out in November 2024.

Meanwhile, a determination will be made regarding who is listed on the final tax roll for the MSTU, and the county board will deliberate what the millage rate should be.

Grant said the new system will provide a source of funds to pay for incremental maintenance, which ultimately allows roads to last longer and to avoid the need for high-cost repairs.

The new system also will allow the county to complete some sidewalk work, but only in cases where the sidewalk is affiliated with a local road project, and when it is deemed to pose safety issues.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said the county must use due care, when it comes to sidewalks.

Once the county does any sort of maintenance on a sidewalk, it becomes the county’s responsibility, Steinsnyder said.

Published October 04, 2023. This story was revised on Oct. 04, 2023.

The pros, cons of requiring road connections

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On the one hand, motorists benefit when there’s more than one way to get through an area.

On the other, creating roadway connections between new developments and existing neighborhoods can cause disruptions to the peace and quiet of residential life.

That’s the gist of a discussion that came up during the Sept. 21 Pasco County Planning Commission meeting when an applicant was seeking a waiver from a county requirement that calls for creating connection from new developments, on all four sides of the property.

The discussion came up during the review of an application from Mary Burke and Thomas Schrader to allow up to 625 multi-family units and 106,686 square feet of commercial uses on 57.49 acres, north of County Road 52 and east of Interstate 75.

Pasco County Planning Commission requiring roadway connections between new developments and existing neighborhoods could cause cut-through issues for the residential areas on Oak Street and Florida Avenue, in San Antonio, for example. (Mike Camunas)

The land is part of Connected City, a sizable area that was designated years ago for a greater intensity of development, job creation, high speed internet and good connections within the area, either through golf cart paths, roads or both.

The applicants sought permission to eliminate required connections on the west and on the east.

County staff agreed to the waiver on the west side of the property because there’s a Category 3 wetland and a self-story business that would impede connecting there.

But county planners rejected the request for the waiver to the east.

They determined that an interconnection to the east is feasible at Oak Street and Florida Avenue.

Christie Barreiro, of Heidt Design, represented the applicants during the public hearing.

She told the planning board that her client is proposing three access points into the project, two from County Road 52 and another one at a new vision road being built through Connected City.

“We feel that we have those three access roads, one to the east isn’t necessary for development,” she said.

She also noted that providing the connection suggested by county staff could create a cut-through issue for the residential areas on Oak Street and Florida Avenue, in San Antonio.

“Oak Street is the north-south street and Florida Avenue is the east-west,” she said, noting both streets are maintained by the City of San Antonio.

“There are eight single-family homes on Oak Street.

“There are eight additional parcels on the north side of Florida Avenue, not all of them have homes on them. The south side of Florida Avenue has two property owners, multiple parcels but only two property owners,” she said.

She said her clients believe that full access on Oak Street would not be welcomed by the nearby residents in San Antonio.

She also noted that the roads are not currently up to county standards and requiring her clients to bring one of those roads up to county standards would be an undue burden.

County Attorney David Goldstein asked Barreiro: “Why not connect to the northeast?”

She responded that could be a possibility.

Goldstein said if that occurs, no waiver would be needed.

Brad Tippin, the county’s development manager, said county staff was attempting to create a way to create access to Curley Street.

But Goldstein replied: “It seems to me that it would be more important to be able to connect to property within Connected City. Connected City was given that name for many reasons. Part of it was interconnectivity. I’m not sure why we’re not connecting to other property in Connected City.”

Planning board member Jon Moody said he understands that establishing connections between developments is a high priority with at least one Pasco County commissioner, and possibly others, as well.

But Moody noted forcing such connections can have negative consequences in established neighborhoods.

He said he understands the general need for requiring interconnectivity, but he added, individual situations must be considered.

“I’ll point to a couple of examples where an interconnect has destroyed a neighborhood,” Moody said.

“Fox Hollow Drive, between U.S. 19 and Little Road. You took a wonderful, quiet street and have turned it into a cut-through that’s a de facto highway. I would never walk on one of the sidewalks along Fox Hollow Drive. That would be taking your life into your hands. And, if I had children, I could never live along Fox Hollow Drive.

“Jasmine (road), same thing. We took a street, we cut it from U.S. 19 to Little Road. We have interconnection and now we made it miserable for residents who live along that road.

“Connections can be good, but we can’t do them at the expense of a neighborhood.”

Moody added that he appreciates the applicant’s respect for existing residents.

“Sometimes we have to apply some common sense to some of this.

“All interconnects are not the same. They’re not one size-fits-all. And, we can’t destroy a neighborhood for the sake of providing an interconnection. We have to look to make sure it’s a responsible interconnection,” Moody said.

Planning board member Jaime Girardi made the motion for approval, which the planning board supported. The approved motion does not require the connection to the east to the residential streets in San Antonio that had been suggested by county staff.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission for final action.

Published October 04, 2023

A Sense of Place

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Way of the Water
Frances V. Innace, of Zephyrhills, snapped this shot of one of downtown Zephyrhills’ murals on Sept. 23. This mural, titled ‘Ocea,’ which means water goddess in Greek mythology, was painted by Jonathan Sierra and unveiled in May 2021 and is on the south-facing wall of 5210 Seventh St., also home to Painted Pixie hair salon. ‘I think it’s great artwork!’ Innace said, ‘and sort of symbolic of Zephyrhills, since it’s known for its bottled water.’
Swamp Thing
Barry White, of Land O’ Lakes, grabbed this picture of a cypress swamp near Ehren Cutoff in Land O’ Lakes.

If you’d like an image to be considered for publication, please email it to . Please add a sentence or two, describing when and where you took the photo and what the image means to you. Be sure to include who took the photo, where he or she lives and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crossroads
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Photographer Mike Camunas shot this pic of the intersection of Robinson Avenue and Seventh Street, outside the Dade City Brew House in downtown Dade City in July.
Out to Pasture
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Photographer Mike Camunas got this pic of a sunset going down over the fields just off State Road 52 in Land O’ Lakes in August.

 

Water management district approves $224.8 million budget

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board has approved a $224.8 million budget for fiscal year 2024, according to a news release.

The budget includes about $92.4 million in cooperative funding initiatives and district grants for water resources projects.

Key initiatives include:

  • $65.2 million for development of alternative water supplies to ensure an adequate supply of water resources for all existing and future reasonable and beneficial uses
  • $17.8 million for Watershed Management Program plans to support flood plain management decisions and initiatives, and projects to address potential and existing flooding problems
  • $17.1 million for the management and improvement of critical flood control and water conservation structures, canals, culverts and levees
  • $6.6 million for springs initiatives to improve water quality and clarity of springs and spring-fed rivers, as well as restore their natural habitats

Through cooperative funding partnerships, the water management district will leverage funds for a total regional investment of more than $175 million for sustainable alternative water supply development, water quality improvements and other water resource management projects, the news release says.

For the 12th straight year, the governing board adopted a millage rate that is equal to, or less than, the rolled-back millage rate. 

The adopted millage rate for the coming fiscal year is 0.2043 mill, 9.6% lower than the current fiscal year. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value.

The water management district’s new rate will save taxpayers an estimated $13.9 million in property taxes, according to the release.

Published October 04, 2023

Student Saturdays launched for teen drivers

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The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office has launched Student Saturdays for teen drivers.

The new initiative during the month of October, aims to make the driver license testing process more convenient for Hillsborough County high school students and their parents. 

The program’s launch was timed to coincide with National Teen Driver Safety Week. It allows aspiring teen drivers to take their driving skills test on the weekend, eliminating the need to miss school.

With the significant growth in the county’s population, Tax Collector Nancy Millan and her team have worked to increase staff resources and expand capacity for driving tests and driver license services to meet the demand.

The driving skills tests for teens are by appointment only and are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, at the East Tampa Tax Collector’s Office, 2814 E. Hillsborough Ave., in Tampa.

Saturday tests are available only for Hillsborough County high school students who meet the eligibility requirement to take their driving tests, including a valid learner’s permit and written test completion. There also are a limited number of written testing spots available for students who want to obtain their learner’s permit.

Visit HillsTax.org/student-Saturdays to see if the student meets eligibility requirements to take the driving skills test.

Eligible candidates can book an appointment by calling 813-347-4386. 

Published October 04, 2023

Hillsborough seeks applicants for diversity council

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The Hillsborough County Commission is seeking applicants for its Diversity Advisory Council. 

The council was created to facilitate communication between Hillsborough County government and diverse populations, and to address matters related to diversity that affect County government and its citizens. 

The county board appoints council members who represent a number of categories.

There currently are five vacancies on the board, in these categories: Caribbean; Indian Asian; Middle Eastern; Native American; and Northern and Southern European.

Advisory council members are volunteers and serve for two years.

All nominees must live in Hillsborough County and be registered voters.

The council meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

Those interested in applying must submit:

  • An essay of 200-500 words highlighting what your goals would be as a member of the Diversity Advisory Council and state why you are most suited to carry forth those goals.
  • A completed Questionnaire for Diversity Advisory Council
  • A Standards of Conduct Form  

Forms are available on the County’s website at: HCFLGov.net. To download a form, click on the following tabs/links: “Government,” “Boards and Committees Forms.” The forms can be filled out and printed, then scanned and emailed, faxed, or mailed.

All forms must be signed and dated, and all questions must be answered in entirety to be eligible. Applicants declining to submit an essay will be eliminated from further consideration for service on the Diversity Advisory Council of Hillsborough County.

The deadline for applications is the close of business on Oct. 12. The county board is scheduled to make the appointments in November.

Forms can be –
Mailed to: P. O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601
Faxed to: 813-239-3916
Emailed to:
Delivered to: 601 E. Kennedy Blvd, second floor, in Tampa

Published October 04, 2023