• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
  • Online E-Editions
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits

Michael Cassano

New fire district a first in Pasco in nearly a decade

September 26, 2018 By Brian Fernandes

Pasco County firefighters, county officials and first responders gathered on Sept. 17 to mark the beginning of construction for a new Wesley Chapel fire station.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Station 38, which began at 8 a.m., was held at the fire station’s future location on Overpass Road.

Chief Scott Cassin gave opening remarks on Sept. 17 at the development site for the future Fire Station 38 in Wesley Chapel. Cassin oversees all Pasco County fire stations. (Brian Fernandes)

The ceremony marked the first addition of a new fire coverage area in Pasco County since 2009.

The fire station is situated within the Watergrass community, a residential area, which also includes a local elementary school.

The project comes in response to an increasing need for shorter wait times in that growing region of Wesley Chapel.

In his remarks, Fire Chief Scott Cassin talked about the amenities and advancements the new station will have.

The new 10,843-square-foot station will have a four-bay garage for trucks and supplies. It will have a kitchen and residential area, and a sheriff’s substation will be housed there, too.

The station will have a new call alert system that will be implemented to simultaneously dispatch numerous calls at the same time.

The installation of a Plymovent Diesel Exhaust Capture System will set Station 38 apart from other Pasco fire stations. The feature will lessen exposure to carcinogenic chemicals.

This is a customary image of the groundbreaking, taken at the Sept. 17 event, to mark the beginning of construction for Fire Station 38. From left: Erik Breitenbach, Manny Long, Michael Cassano, Scott Cassin, Andrew Fossa, Ron Oakley, Gary Joiner, Tait Sanborn and Todd Wyne.

“Station 38 will have atmospheric conditioning that will protect our firefighters from that gas,” said Deputy Chief Michael Cassano.

Going forward, existing and future stations in the county are planned to be equipped with the system.

Cassin has been visiting Pasco fire stations to get feedback on what improvements could be incorporated into Station 38.

“We’re trying to think long-term,” the chief said.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley offered a few words, too, before a customary snapshot was taken of shovels flinging dirt.

Station 38 has been four years in the making and will cost an estimated $3.6 million to build. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2019.

Published September 26, 2018

Filed Under: Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Fire Station 38, Michael Cassano, Overpass Road, Ron Oakley, Scott Cassin, Watergrass, Wesley Chapel

County exploring adding a new tax

October 25, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County commissioners often talk about making Pasco a premier county.

But, even with a rebounding economy, they are facing a financial hurdle in funding the necessities for parks, libraries and emergency management.

Looming ahead is a third $25,000 homestead exemption, which is expected to pass in a 2018 voter referendum.

If it does pass, Pasco County could lose $8 million in general fund revenues, and $2 million in fire fund revenues.

One solution commissioners are exploring is municipal taxing units that would collect revenues based on property tax valuations.

Commissioners discussed the idea at an Oct. 17 workshop in Dade City.

No decision was reached, but county staff members will provide more details in the future.

And, it’s possible that voters could weigh in, if the matter goes to a referendum.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wants to move forward, without a referendum. Other commissioners want a referendum before considering any increase of taxes.

Representatives of each of the three departments presented a list of backlogged equipment and repairs, or enhanced services that are needed, if Pasco is to become a premier county.

Parks has about $14 million in deferred maintenance at its 35 parks, recreation centers, trails and swimming pools. Its current annual budget is about $9 million.

A taxing unit would collect about $28 million annually.

However, not all of those funds would be spent at once. The annual parks’ budget would increase to between $10 million and $13 million.

And, funds would be spent on maintenance of existing facilities and long-term replacement, said Keith Wiley, the county’s natural resources manager.

“It’s not about having more facilities and prettier facilities,” he said.

Libraries and emergency management also face shrinking resources.

Based on state library standards, Pasco spends about $13 per person, or about half the state average of about $26 per person. The same standards show Pasco needs about 170,000 square feet of additional space. Yet, the next library, probably in Starkey Ranch, isn’t slated for construction until 2022.

Library staffing also is well below state average standards.

“We need to update our facilities to the 21st century,” said Sean McGarvey, a library administrator.

Emergency management and fire rescue face challenges in response times and providing protection for area residents.

Fire rescue needs eight additional fire stations to cover the entire county, and the growing population, said Michael Cassano, the county’s deputy fire chief of operations.

Additional personnel and equipment also are needed, he said.

Taxing units for emergency management and for fire rescue would collect about $10 million each.

The county’s 911 communications center won’t have sufficient room to operate in two to three years, a situation that Kevin Guthrie, assistant county administrator for public safety, called “catastrophic.”

The county also needs generators for the schools that provide emergency shelters during hurricanes.

Currently, the county can provide only three schools with generators, Guthrie said.

Starkey pushed to move forward and create taxing units with a future vote by county commissioners.

Prior public outreach has shown that residents are willing to support more funding, said Starkey.

She had raised the issue for parks during budget discussions for 2018, but the county could not have met a deadline to establish such a taxing district.

“We can’t have slides that are falling apart, swings falling apart,” she said. “We’ve just let our citizens down by letting all these parks fall apart. I think it’s 10 years past due to fund our parks and our libraries.”

The authority to create the taxing units belongs to the county commissioners. So, the referendum, unless voters were asked to approve a bond issue, would be a straw poll.

“I personally think we’re jumping the gun by even having any discussion,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

He cited an earlier directive from the county commission to first have outreach to the public on parks before considering a taxing unit.

County officials said the hurricane had delayed those efforts for outreach on the parks, but they would come back in December with results from meetings and polling efforts. Libraries and emergency management will be included.

Moore also did some quick figuring, determining that homeowners could face a 34 percent increase in taxes, if all of the taxing units were fully funded.

That would add about $140 to the average property tax bill of $407, based on the county’s average home value of $107,000.

“Never, ever, in my life will you see this person raise our citizens’ taxes by 34 percent,” Moore said. “That’s insane.”

Published October 25, 2017

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: Kathryn Starkey, Keith Wiley, Kevin Guthrie, Michael Cassano, Mike Moore, municipal taxing unit, Sean McGarvey, Starkey Ranch

Primary Sidebar

All the Way Health and Acupuncture

Twisted Sprocket Cafe

Foodie Friday Gallery

Search

Sponsored Content

Art Lovers Invited To Join East Pasco Arts Committee

January 26, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Do you love art and also love your community? Do you live in Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, San Antonio, Zephyrhills or … [Read More...] about Art Lovers Invited To Join East Pasco Arts Committee

More Posts from this Category

Archives

What’s Happening

01/26/2021 – Crystal snowflakes

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present Virtual STEM Studio: Crystal Snowflakes on Jan. 26 at 4:30 p.m., for grades four to seven. Learn how to create your own crystals with just saltwater. Follow along with the video on the Regency Park Library’s Facebook page. No library card is needed. … [Read More...] about 01/26/2021 – Crystal snowflakes

01/27/2021 – Into the Interstellar

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Into the Interstellar Unknown” on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Natalia Guerreo will present the latest news from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Guerrero works at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research on the MIT-led NASA TESS Mission. The program is for teens and adults. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/27/2021 – Into the Interstellar

01/27/2021 – Zentangles

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host “Stroke of Genius” on Jan. 27. This virtual craft includes an instructional slide show on how to draw Zentangles. View the post, available all day, on the South Holiday Library’s Facebook page. … [Read More...] about 01/27/2021 – Zentangles

01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “One Book, One Night” on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. Participants can start online as the beginning excerpt of the book “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, is read in English, Spanish and French. For information and to register, visit the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

01/30/2021 – Toddler craft

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual craft for toddlers on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn how to make a paper plate shark. To view the video, visit Facebook.com/cplib. … [Read More...] about 01/30/2021 – Toddler craft

01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will host a live performance by the classical music group Nova Era on Jan. 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The ensemble performs in handcrafted 18th-century costumes and ornate, powdered wigs. Gates open at 2 p.m. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This is an outdoor event. Guests should bring lawn chairs. No cooler or pets. Masks are required inside the buildings. Social distancing will be in place. Advance tickets are $25, or $30 at the door (if available). For information and tickets, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. … [Read More...] about 01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
12h

Burgess discusses pandemic response. https://buff.ly/2MbZu3U

Reply on Twitter 1354111896732000257Retweet on Twitter 1354111896732000257Like on Twitter 1354111896732000257Twitter 1354111896732000257
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
25 Jan

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request. https://buff.ly/362w8fp

Reply on Twitter 1353749764500815872Retweet on Twitter 1353749764500815872Like on Twitter 1353749764500815872Twitter 1353749764500815872
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
24 Jan

This week in SPORTS: All-Pasco County girls fall awards announced. https://buff.ly/3o8W8vR

Reply on Twitter 1353387133688401920Retweet on Twitter 1353387133688401920Like on Twitter 1353387133688401920Twitter 1353387133688401920
Load More...

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Top Stories

Tampa prepares for Super Bowl

74th annual Pasco County Fair is a go

Keeping community life alive, despite COVID-19

Zephyrhills plans to seek state funds for three projects

Extra help to be provided for struggling students

Shedding light on human trafficking

Parent questions school quarantine policy

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., lives on

Strong housing outlook predicted through 2021

This tiny, tangy fruit tastes great in pie

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request

Burgess discusses pandemic response

Secondary Sidebar

More Stories

Check out our other stories for the week

Tampa prepares for Super Bowl

74th annual Pasco County Fair is a go

Keeping community life alive, despite COVID-19

Zephyrhills plans to seek state funds for three projects

Extra help to be provided for struggling students

Shedding light on human trafficking

Parent questions school quarantine policy

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., lives on

Strong housing outlook predicted through 2021

This tiny, tangy fruit tastes great in pie

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request

Burgess discusses pandemic response

Sports Stories

Locals make impact during 2020 college football season

All-Pasco County girls fall awards announced

Banner soccer season

Local runner claims national title

Pasco County athletes compete in 2020 Florida Senior Games

Copyright © 2021 Community News Publications Inc.

   