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Matthew Maggard

Zephyrhills considers fire department merger

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After nearly 60 years of operation and tradition, the Zephyrhills Fire Department may soon be absorbed by Pasco County Fire Rescue.

As funding and staffing issues mount within the city’s fire department, the Zephyrhills City Council on July 1 unanimously directed city staff to begin formal negotiations to consolidate the local agency with Pasco County Fire Rescue.

The City of Zephyrhills will enter formal negotiations with Pasco County to merge Zephyrhills Fire Department into Pasco County Fire Rescue. Any consolidation agreement would need to be approved by the Zephyrhills City Council. (Kevin Weiss)

If the merger occurs, Pasco County Fire Rescue would operate the city’s two fire stations and would absorb the city’s fire department personnel at their proper pay step, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said. The county would ensure and maintain additional staffing needs at both stations and place an ambulance within the city limits.

The merger is anticipated to be “revenue neutral,” meaning it would not cost either entity any money, Poe said. The county can operate at lower costs because of economies of scale, Poe explained.

The merger negotiations follow attempts by Zephyrhills leaders to find ways to address the fire department’s rising costs.

The fire department budget this year is $3.3 million — up nearly $900,000 from 2016, according to a city manager memo to the city council. Those costs are expected to rise over time.

One option would be to levy a fire fee assessment through annual property tax bills — affecting commercial and residential properties, and churches and nonprofits. But, Zephyrhills residents and business leaders vehemently opposed that idea during public comment .

“We have to look at what is the best for overall,” said Kevin Bahr, owner of Bahr’s Propane Gas & A/C in Zephyrhills. “I work for a few nonprofits, to sit there and say they’re going to pay…and we’re going to have every one of the churches in town (pay), I don’t think they have any earthly idea that they’re fixing to start paying a fire assessment fee.”

With a merger, Zephyrhills property owners would pay for county fire rescue services through a Municipal Service Taxing Unit, or MSTU. Generally, an MSTU for fire services would have less financial impact on city residents and commercial entities than a fire assessment fee, city officials say.

Bingham Realty president Will Bingham represents owners of about 250 residential multi-unit properties in Zephyrhills. He said a fire assessment would have a significant impact, and appears unreasonable. “You’re looking at rents going up.”

Sunlight Realty real estate agent Sam Turgeon also opposes the idea of a fire assessment fee.

“I don’t think that’s sustainable. It’s definitely not fair and it’s definitely unaffordable for the city,” Turgeon said.

He supports the proposed merger.

“You’re going to have more people able to go on more calls that are going to serve our community better,” he said. “We’ve heard repeatedly that this fire department is understaffed, which also means that it’s underfunded. Our community is growing rapidly and, because of that, our city does not have enough money to sustain the fire department in its current form. If we leave our fire department understaffed, that’s dangerous for our citizens and it’s dangerous for our firefighters.”

Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce director Melonie Monson also weighed in regarding the potential impact a fire assessment fee would have on the nearly 500 businesses she represents.

Monson warned the council: “There will be many that will not be able to take on the cost, so you may lose businesses with the fee. Think about how much it’s going to tax our businesses.”
The Zephyrhills Fire Department deferred public comment to firefighter union leader Travis Geiger.

Geiger pleaded the council to find a way to maintain the city’s fire department. He expressed concern about the loss of local control and predicted a difficult transition in merging the two departments because the positions are not equivalent.

“If you look at it from our perspective, we feel that we’re being pushed out. We’re not choosing to go over there,” Geiger said.

City manager Poe told council members: “If the decision is to keep the department, we have to charge a fire assessment fee, and we have to hire additional staff to meet the minimum safety standards. If we don’t do that, the only other option is to merge with Pasco County and do the very best that we can to make sure the (city fire department) employees that are transferring over are not adversely impacted.”

Zephyrhills city attorney Matthew Maggard concurred with Poe’s assessment.

“I don’t think anybody wants to see our fire department go away from an emotional or pride standpoint, but financially you have to look at it. We can’t sustain going forward, and I don’t think there’s any dispute with that,” Maggard said.

City Council member Lance Smith voiced concerns about the city fire department’s “long-term viability,” and added, “the logical conclusion is we’ve got to merge with the county.”

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield agreed: “I think we have to look at sustainability.”

Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson put it like this: “If it were only up to me, I would spend the money in a heartbeat. But, I’m representing all of these people who have reservations about the cost. None of them want to lose our firefighters. It is the question, ‘Can we afford it?’”

City Council member Alan Knight was the most vocal about trying to find a way to keep the department. One possibility would be to increase the millage rate, he said.

“Once we lose our fire department, we aren’t getting it back,” Knight said.

Published July 10, 2019

Zephyrhills council approves fire assessment fee study

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The City of Zephyrhills may be adding fee assessments, as a reliable measure to boost the city’s general fund and support operations.

The city council unanimously approved a study analyzing the impact of a fire assessment fee, during a regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 23.

City Manager Steve Spina said a fire assessment fee — placed on individual property owner parcels throughout the city —would generate $1 million to $2 million annually toward the operation of the fire department.

It could also, at some point, result in a reduction of the city’s millage rate, he said.

“It’d be very similar to the Municipal Servicing Tax Unit that the county does,” Spina said.

The assessment study, performed by Stance Consulting, will provide the city with a detailed model for the development of a 10-year financial plan.

The cost for the development of the fire assessment study is $33,384. Implementation assistance ($8,500) and outside legal sub-consultant fees ($6,330) bring the cost of the program to about $48,000.

Spina acknowledged the program is “pricey,” but noted it could also be utilized if the city wanted to assess a stormwater fee in the future.

Last month, the city passed a Resolution of Intent informing residents and the Pasco County Property Appraiser and Pasco County Tax Collector offices that fee assessments are being considered.

In other action, the city council approved a three-year agreement with current City Attorney Matthew E. Maggard.

The term, which runs through Oct. 21, 2020, will pay Maggard $135 per hour for the first year and $150 per hour for the final two years. The contract also requires the city to pay a minimum fee of $700 per month as a retainer.

Attorney services were rendered at $125 per hour all of last year.

Maggard has served as the city’s attorney since last August, when he took over for Joseph A. Poblick, who stepped down to serve on the Pasco County Court.

Maggard also is an attorney with the law firm of Hersch & Maggard P.A., in Dade City and Zephyrhills.

He said the service fee for the first year of the contract is fair, noting “there are still some things in government work that I’m still learning to navigate, that will take a little extra time.”

“I think I’ll be a little more qualified and a little more experienced after one more year,” Maggard said.

The city manager, meanwhile, spoke positively of Maggard’s services to Zephyrhills over the past year.

“I’ve found him to be very informed, probably the most professional and agreeable city attorney to work with. He works with all the staff. He’s easy to get a hold of,” Spina explained.

Council members expressed similar feelings regarding Maggard and his expertise.

“He’s done a very professional job ,” councilman Charles Proctor said. “Anytime I’ve ever had any questions, if he didn’t answer the phone, he promptly called me back with an answer. I believe we’ve got a good guy here.”

“I could tell right from the (job) interview that I was going to like him,” councilman Ken Compton said. “He’s been nothing but professional, on the spot, very easy to get along with, and very accurate and very assertive and proactive with what he’s done.”

Council vice president Lance Smith added he’s glad the city has hired a local attorney “who provides a professional service to the city.

“Hopefully we can stick with him for quite a while. Hopefully he doesn’t get tired of us,” Smith said.

Published November 1, 2017

Water and sewer rates expected to rise in Zephyrhills

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Zephyrhills residents could see an increase on their utility bills, beginning next year.

City staff is recommending a 4-percent increase in water rates and an 8-percent increase in sewer rates for all customers each year for a five-year period, beginning Jan. 1.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted unanimously for City Attorney Matthew Maggard to draft an ordinance regarding the proposed rate increases, during its July 10 meeting.

The first reading of the ordinance is slated for its next council meeting, on July 24.

The new two-story Zephyrhills City Hall will include new council chambers, office and storage space, restrooms, a lobby, stairways, an elevator and a courtyard. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

As an example, a customer in Zephyrhills using 3,000 gallons of water per month currently sees a bill of $40.03. With the January rate hike, the bill would rise to $43.14, an increase of $3.12. It does not include sanitation rates, which already is an additional $11.25 per month.

Users of 5,000 gallons per month would see their bills increase from $53.29 to 57.52, an increase of $4.23; while users of 7,500 gallons of water a month would see their bills increase from $73.12 to $78.75, an increase of $5.63.

A recent study conducted by Raftelis Finance Consultants, found that 79 percent of residential customers use 5,000 gallons or less a month.

The impeding rate hikes, according to City Manager Steve Spina, are primarily to “help keep up with costs in the Utility Department for operation maintenance.”

Additional revenues from utility also will be used toward debt service, renewal and replacement costs (new pipes, equipment), capital funding (extending services to new development, plant expansions to handle growth) and maintaining reserves.

“I don’t like (rate) increases anymore than the next person,” councilman Lance Smith said, “but, I do like my water to come on when I turn the faucet on.”

The draft ordinance, too, will call for an increase to utility impact fees on new construction.

For a single-family residence, water impact fees are slated to rise from $641 to $1,010. Sewer impact fee rates also are expected to jump from $2,010 to $2,260, for a single-family home.

The city originally sought to enact the rate increases, if approved, by October.

Spina, however, suggested city leaders delay the implementation schedule due to an ongoing water utility project.

Last fall, the city began rolling out a program through a contractor, Arizona-based Fathom, to replace all of the city’s meters and begin a digital monitoring bill-paying system  — costing the city $6 million over two years.

The Fathom rollout led to numerous complaints from residents, who saw their bills go up after installation of new bar meters provided more precise water-usage readings, finding leaks the old system did not detect.

During the council meeting, Spina reasoned that delaying the rate increases will allow the city to fully complete the Fathom transition, and allow customers to adapt to both the new system and new rates.

“We had rough patches with Fathom, which we’re pretty much finalizing and getting through,” Spina said. … “Frankly, we — me and the administration— did not do a very good job of advertising, publicizing and explaining the different events that were going to occur during that rollout, and should we ever have something like this again, we definitely know what to do and what not to do.”

Council president Alan Knight later advised Spina to put together a public outreach campaign for the five-year utility rate increases.

The city’s last five-year rate hike, approved in 2012, called for a 10-percent hike for the first three years and 5 percent the final two years.

In other action, the city council received a visual preview of the new, $6.2 million Zephyrhills City Hall building.

Public works director Shane LeBlanc displayed an artist’s final design rendering of the two-story brick building, which will measure 19,615 square feet.

In January, the council voted to construct the new edifice, replacing the current 13,497-square-foot City Hall, at 5334 Eighth St., which dates back to the 1950s.

Demolition is scheduled in the next few weeks, with construction beginning Aug. 23 and lasting for approximately one year.

Council members expressed enthusiasm for the conceptual drawing showing the west entrance of the property, which features a courtyard plaza that will connect City Hall with the adjacent Zephyrhills Library.

The rendering also shows a fountain as its centerpiece in an area that will include public-use seating.

Besides the courtyard plaza, the new City Hall will include upgraded council chambers, additional office and storage space, restrooms, a lobby, stairways and elevator.

The rendering was furnished by architectural firm Harvard Jolly.

Published July 19, 2017

Zephyrhills bans fracking

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The City of Zephyrhills has banned fracking, a controversial practice of extracting oil or natural gas.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted unanimously to prohibit the use of land for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, within the city’s limits.

In taking the action, the city is following the lead of other Florida municipalities.

The City of Zephyrhills banned fracking on Nov. 14. (File Photo)
The City of Zephyrhills banned fracking on Nov. 14.
(File Photo)

The council’s vote received an ovation from representatives of several environmental groups who were present at the Nov. 14 meeting.

Several Pasco County residents spoke in opposition to fracking, a process of pumping chemically treated high pressure water into a drilled pipeline to break through rock formations to tap into oil or natural gas reserves.

Janice Howie, conservation chairman for the Nature Coast Native Plant Society, called the Zephyrhills fracking ban “a really bold initiative.”

“I don’t think any good comes from fracking,” said Howie, “especially not here in Florida with our aquifer.”

“People in Florida don’t want fracking,” said Pat Carter, a Dade City resident and member of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs.

“A big problem with fracking is what to do with that polluted water. There’s just no safe way to dispose if it,” Carter said.

The Zephyrhills ordinance says that fracking wastewater, or “flowback,” contains several known contaminants, including naturally occurring radioactivity, heavy metals, hydrocarbon and brine.

Fracking typically uses anywhere from 30,000 gallons to up to 13 million gallons for each drilling operation, the ordinance reads. It also notes that much of Florida’s water supply comes from aquifers in highly permeable limestone formations, which are “vulnerable” to hydraulic fracturing activities.

“I find the idea of fracking in any place in Florida to be alarming,” said Nancy Hazelwood, another Dade City resident. “We should not be doing anything that would possibly avenge our water resources that are so fragile as it is now, especially here in Zephyrhills. Why take the chance on anything that would endanger our water resources?”

Carl Waldron, of Dade City, added that fracking’s perceived economic benefits “isn’t worth the risk.”

Waldron added: “We have many basic needs, and one is clean, accessible water.”

The Dade City Commission unanimously passed an antifracking ordinance in August.

In other business, the council unanimously approved a first reading ordinance to impose a temporary moratorium on the opening of any new cannabis dispensing facilities. If passed on the second reading, the moratorium would expire Nov. 13, 2017.

Florida voters recently approved Amendment 2, which inserts language into the Florida Constitution allowing those with cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy and a host of other conditions to use marijuana, if it is recommended by their doctor.

Zephyrhills’ city attorney Matthew Maggard said he advocated for the moratorium because marijuana laws are “changing so rapidly.” He added the city also needs time “to research the various land use and zoning requirements” related to the amendment.

“We can put an outright ban on it because it’s still federally illegal. I think it’s a good idea to just put a hold on this,” said Maggard.

City manager Steve Spina, agreed, saying: “We thought it was in the best interest to look into it, and then plan on how we think the dispensaries would fit into Zephyrhills.”

Published November 23, 2016