As Florida’s positive COVID-19 cases continue to climb, local officials are taking action to require the wearing of face coverings. The requirements vary by jurisdictions. Pasco County has joined the list of local governments imposing restrictions in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles issued an executive order on June 23, requiring everyone in … [Read more...]
Fewer resources, tighter budget
May 12, 2020 By
Pasco County is estimating a $5.7 million hit to its general fund this fiscal year, due to impacts from the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to County Administrator Dan Biles. Biles shared that projection during the Pasco County Commission’s virtual board meeting on May 5 . “We think we have a plan in place to be within that revenue within the next six months, from an … [Read more...]
Florida takes first step to reopen
May 5, 2020 By
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis began the first phase of reopening the state this week — after ordering all but essential businesses and activities to close down on April 3. The new “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step” order institutes a phase one reopening throughout the state, except in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Under phase one, schools will remain in distance learning through the end … [Read more...]
Pasco assessing COVID-19’s fiscal impacts
May 5, 2020 By
Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said the county is working through how it will respond to negative economic effects caused by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). “We’ve had a pretty tremendous revenue impact to us — across several different funds. We are working through now, how we are going to make sure that we still stay solvent through the rest of the fiscal year, in light of the … [Read more...]
Election supervisors seek more flexibility
April 28, 2020 By
The Florida Supervisors of Elections — an organization representing all 67 county election supervisors across the state — is seeking greater flexibility regarding how elections are conducted during the remainder of the 2020 election cycle. The organization has asked that Gov. Ron DeSantis issue an executive order granting more flexibility, in light of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) … [Read more...]
Pasco eyeing big changes to apartment mobility fees
March 4, 2020 By
The Pasco County Commission has signaled it wants to end mobility fee incentives that it provides for new market-rate apartment construction within the county. At the same time, commissioners are looking to waive mobility fees for builders of affordable housing — homes or apartments. Commissioners also are eyeing a mobility fee waiver aimed to spur new construction in an area along U.S. 19, … [Read more...]
Pasco property values expected to grow
March 4, 2020 By
Pasco County is projecting a 8.5% to 9% increase in assessed values, Robert Goehig, said Pasco County’s budget director, during a recent county workshop. “We’re going to budget to 8.5%, and then if the property appraiser comes in with more, we’ll make adjustments,” County Administrator Dan Biles said, during the Feb. 25 workshop with commissioners. That would generate an additional $17 … [Read more...]
Touchpoint opens global headquarters in Pasco
February 26, 2020 By
TouchPoint Healthcare, located in Odessa, had a grand opening for its new global headquarters. It’s an unprecedented mark in Pasco County, as it houses the flagship base for the company that supplies 90 countries with manufactured medical supplies. Visitors at the Feb. 20 ribbon cutting had the chance to go on a guided tour of the building, which is a two-story structure of 142,000 … [Read more...]
County marks Ridge Road extension milestone
January 22, 2020 By
It was a historic day in Pasco County, as a groundbreaking ceremony was held to celebrate the upcoming construction of the Ridge Road extension. The new stretch of road will give motorists another east-west option through Pasco County, and will provide an additional evacuation route in the event of a disaster. The groundbreaking, held Jan. 13, followed a permit issued in December by the … [Read more...]
