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Mike Fasano

Raising money for the Special Olympics of Pasco County

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in April for the Special Olympics of Pasco County, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

Special Olympics is a sports and training program for people with intellectual disabilities. Year-round training and competition are provided in 17 different sports. Athletes participate at no cost.

“We are very excited to be selected as the charity of the month for the month of April,” Joeyn Dearsman, of Special Olympics, said in the release. “Mike Fasano and his team have been big supporters of Special Olympics for many years and we are grateful for everything they do for our athletes. With the help from our community during this campaign, we will be able to ensure our athletes have everything they need to continue to be successful on and off the field. Proceeds will also help cover the cost of sending qualifying athletes to the 2022 USA games in Orlando.”

In the release, Fasano added: “Special Olympics of Pasco County provides wonderful opportunities for individuals with a wide range of disabilities to be a part of athletics that may not otherwise be available to them.

“The Pasco County branch of this excellent program has a long history of success in not only the state of Florida but at the national level as well.  The opportunities provided to people with intellectual challenges have proven to help enrich the lives of athletes in a great way.”

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County.

For more information about the charitable giving program at the Pasco Tax Collector’s office contact Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179 or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more information about services provided by the Special Olympics of Pasco, call Joeyn Dearsman, senior manager/Pasco, at 727-992-8850 or visit SpecialOlympicsFlorida.org/.

Donations also may be mailed to Tax Collector Mike Fasano, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL  33526.  Please note on your check’s memo line “Special Olympics.”

Published April 07, 2021

Water safety is a top priority

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in February for the YMCA of the Suncoast’s Swimming Lesson Program.

Water safety is a high priority of the YMCA, and it is a mission that is shared by the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office.

Certified swim instructor Teddy Sandoval, left, and 6-year-old student Haya Autabachy, of New Tampa, warm up during one of the water safety classes at the New Tampa Family YMCA. (File)

In a county that is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, and neighborhoods that have swimming pools and myriad lakes, preparing young people to navigate safely in the water is of great importance.

“The YMCA of the Suncoast serves more than 7,000 children annually in our mission to eliminate drownings by providing life-saving swim skills in all counties, including Pasco, served by our Y,” Julio Vega, district vice president YMCA Suncoast, said in a news release.

“With drowning the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 4, it is vitally important that they receive water safety lessons as soon as they are able. “Unfortunately, Florida ranks as one of the highest states in the nation for infant and toddler drownings. We must do all we can to bring this number down,” Fasano said.

The funds raised through the campaign will help to provide swimming and water safety lessons to children whose families may not otherwise be able to afford them.

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector offices in Pasco County.

For information about the YMCA of Suncoast, call Vega at 727-375-9622, or visit YMCASuncoast.org.

For information about the charitable giving programs at the Pasco Tax Collector’s office, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at 727-847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Donations also can be mailed to Tax Collector Mike Fasano, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526. Note “YMCA” on the check’s memo line.

Published February 10, 2021

Law enforcement memorial receives donations

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Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office raised $8,727.38 to support the construction of a permanent law enforcement officers memorial on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, in downtown Dade City.

The tax collector’s five offices highlighted the Pasco Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial as the charity of the month in November.

The campaign had been begun pre-COVID, but was rescheduled to November because of the pandemic, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

Staff and leaders from the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Pasco’s Back the Blue. (Courtesy of Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s Office)

Pasco County holds a memorial service each year to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

However, Pasco County is the only county in Florida without a permanent memorial that can be visited year-round.

Local attorney Craig LaPorte has been heading up the effort to raise funds to build a permanent memorial, and he asked Fasano to help bring the fund drive to the finish line, the news release adds.

A check presentation was held in December, with Fasano joined by members of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, and Bob George and members of Pasco’s Back the Blue, an organization created to help support law enforcement officers.

“On behalf of the board of directors of the Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial and Benefit Foundation we want to extend our sincerest thanks to Mike Fasano and his entire staff for making our foundation the beneficiary of the Pasco County Tax Collector Charities,” LaPorte said, in the release. “He was kind enough to select us for the April 2020 Charity of the Month, but unfortunately as COVID-19 jumped into our lives, he was forced to close in-person office visits for a time. So, in order to help us realize our goal of constructing a permanent memorial to Pasco’s Fallen Law Enforcement Heroes, he put us back on his queue for November. Thanks to the generosity of Pasco’s citizens, and Mr. Fasano and his charity, we raised enough funds to put us “over the top.” As a result, we are now in the process of the final stages leading to the construction of the memorial in front of the Pasco County Historic Courthouse in Dade City.”

“It has been such an honor to work with the fine men and women of our law enforcement community to help raise the funds that will help construct this long-needed memorial,” Fasano said, in the release. “For any one law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty is one too many. Unfortunately, many good officers have been killed in Pasco over the years. This memorial will honor their sacrifice and the good work they did protecting our county from lawbreakers of every sort. A very generous community stepped up to show their support for the members of our law enforcement agencies.”

Another local group also helped to put the fundraising efforts for the memorial over the top, according to Sandy Graves, president of the Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club Charities Inc., a charitable arm of the club.

The club’s charitable group contributed $2,000 for the permanent memorial.

Published January 13, 2021

Bridging Freedom is charity of the month

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano has named Bridging Freedom, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking and assisting survivors of that crime, as its charity for the month of January.

Bridging Freedom aims to combat sex-trafficking of minors by bringing restoration to those who have been rescued. And, the organization educates the community and works with partners to increase awareness of this “pervasive and often ‘invisible’ criminal operation,” according to a news release.

During the month of January, all tax collector office locations will be accepting donations to help Bridging Freedom in its mission to assist as many victims as possible, and to educate the public, local businesses and others about the importance of recognizing human trafficking for the crime it is.

“Children, both girls and boys, have their childhoods stolen from them by traffickers and buyers. Bridging Freedom, a safe campus, restores those stolen childhoods with a safe environment, therapy, life skills and a caring community,” Alan Wilkett, retired Pasco Sheriff’s law enforcement officer, said in the release.

For information about Bridging Freedom and its services, contact Wilkett at 813-474-4673.

For more about the tax collector’s charitable campaigns, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179.

Donations top $5,600 for Sunrise of Pasco

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Donations exceeding $5,600 came in to the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office during the month of September to support the Sunrise of Pasco’s Domestic & Violence Center.

Representatives of Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office and from Sunrise of Pasco’s Domestic & Violence Center stand near the tax collector’s office with a check representing the amount of contributions raised for the group. (Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano)

Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices collected the donations, which will be used to benefit the center that aims to end domestic and sexual violence, by providing prevention and intervention services to those in need, according to a release from Fasano’s office.

“We greatly appreciate you for supporting us through your Charity of the Month Program,”  Kelly Sinn, CEO of Sunrise of Pasco, told Fasano, in the news release. “We are beyond grateful that you selected us for this opportunity and are overwhelmed by the generous donations from our amazing community members. Your donation of $5,624.92 will help Sunrise of Pasco carry out our mission of assisting survivors of abuse.”

In the release, Fasano responded: “Sunrise of Pasco has made a positive impact on our community for decades. Our office was honored to be able to help advance their efforts by including Sunrise of Pasco as part of our Charity of the Month program. We know that every dollar raised will be spent to help families, mothers and their children, right here in Pasco County. Despite the challenges, financial and otherwise, that COVID has brought to so many people this year, the fact that over $5,600 was raised for Sunrise of Pasco speaks volumes as to the generosity of our community and to the fine reputation Sunrise of Pasco has earned over the years.”

The Charity of the Month program is a year-round effort to bring as much attention to as many charities, both big and small, who serve those in need or are less fortunate. For more information about the charitable giving program at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, contact Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com. For more information about services provided at Sunrise of Pasco, please call Vicki Wiggins, director of development at (352) 521-3358.

Published November 18, 2020

Donations being sought for law officer memorial

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices are accepting donations during the month of November to help build the Pasco Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

This rendering depicts what the permanent memorial for fallen law enforcement officers is expected to look like. (File)

The memorial is planned to be located on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, and will honor law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

Pasco County is the only one of Florida’s 67 counties without a permanent law enforcement memorial, so efforts led by Attorney Craig LaPorte and other volunteers have been ongoing to raise enough money to build one. Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley also has been involved in the fundraising efforts.

An annual memorial service is held to honor the officers who have been lost, but the memorial will provide a place to visit year-round.

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County. They also can be included in registration renewals mailed to the tax collector during the month of November, the release says.

For more information about the charitable giving program at the Pasco Tax Collector’s office, contact Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more information about the Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, call Craig LaPorte at (727) 863-1553.

Donations also may be mailed to the tax collector’s office at the following address: Tax Collector Mike Fasano, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.  Please note on the check’s memo line “Law Enforcement Memorial.”

Published November 04, 2020

Tax collectors returns more than $3 million to county

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When the COVID-19 pandemic slammed the brakes on the local economy, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano thought it would mean that he’d be able to return about half of the money that he typically returns to the county each year.

But, it turned out that the tax collector’s offices were able to continue operations — with adaptations, and last week, Fasano presented a check topping $3 million, more than double what he expected.

“God bless my staff; we were able to keep things going, even though we had to close our lobbies. We still continued to provide service,” Fasano said. “I will also tell you that we’re No. 1 in the state, and continue to be, in giving out concealed weapons permits.”

He praised the work of County Administrator Dan Biles.

“Dan Biles has been phenomenal in leading us through this serious crisis,” Fasano said, noting  his offices were able to stay open — using temperature gauging and other precautions to keep people safe.

“We’re able to give people tickets so they can wait in their cars, and they are texted when their numbers come up. And, Dan has been outstanding in making sure that happened, and we appreciate that,” Fasano said.

Fasano presented a check for $3,457,000 to the county, of which he requested $305,000 to renovate a building in San Antonio to house his office’s department that oversees printing and mailing of tax notices, registration renewals and other materials.

“With that said, we’re asking that from that $3,457,000 — $305,000 be put to the side,” Fasano said, to pay that contractor. “You can keep $3.1 million. I want $305,000,” Fasano said.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore assured Fasano that the request was on the board’s consent agenda, which was subsequently approved by the board.

Published November 04, 2020

Pasco voters to weigh in on key races

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The Primary 2020 ballot is not long in Pasco County, but there are some key races in the election set for Aug. 18.

Some voters will make their way to the polls to cast their ballots on Election Day, but many will have already voted, or mailed in their ballots.

It remains unclear how concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic will affect voter turnout, but election supervisors in both Hillsborough and Pasco counties have reported efforts to ensure the safety of both poll workers and voters.

Such measures include social distancing and ongoing cleaning. As a result, lines at the polls could be longer, the supervisors in both counties have said.

In Pasco County, all voters will be able to cast ballots in the universal primary contest for the Pasco County Commission District 4 race.

The candidates are competing to fill the seat that was vacated by Mike Wells, who ran for County Property Appraiser and was elected.

In universal primary contests all voters can participate, because all of the candidates in the race are from the same party, and there is no opposition in the general election.

Those vying for the Pasco County Commission District 4 seat are Gary Bradford, Christina “Fitzy” Fitzpatrick, Jeff Miller and Gabriel “Gabe” Papadopoulos.

In another race, Republican voters will choose whether they want Kurt S. Browning or David LaRoche to represent the party in the Nov. 3 general election.

Meanwhile, voters will have a choice between Alison Crumbley or Joshua Stringfellow, in the nonpartisan race for the District 4 seat on the Pasco County School Board.

The polls will be open on Aug. 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Some seats have already been settled in Pasco County.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles and Sheriff Chris Nocco each will serve another four years — since no opponents came forward to challenge them by the qualifying deadline in the 2020 election.

Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley also will serve another four years, as his opponent withdrew. And, Wells has been elected to Pasco County Property Appraiser, since his opponent Gary Joiner did not qualify.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley will serve another term in District 1, because opponent Christopher King withdrew. And, Pasco School Board District 2 incumbent Colleen Beaudoin has won another term because her opponent Adrienne G. Wilson withdrew.

A number of other races will be decided in the Nov. 3 general election, including the District 3 and District 5 seats on the Pasco County Commission.

Other races on the ballot will determine who will represent Florida’s 12th congressional district and who will represent District 36, District 37 and District 38, in the Florida House. A special election also will be held to choose a new representative in the Florida Senate, District 20.

To find out early voting locations or for other election information, visit PascoVotes.gov.

Pasco Active Registered Voters*
Republican: 151,859
Democratic: 115,807
No Party: 106,532
Minor Party: 5,723

Total: 379,921

*As of 08/09/2020
Source: Pasco County Supervisor of Elections

Published August 12, 2020

Pasco Tax Collector’s Office back in business

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After closing its doors for nearly a month amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pasco County Tax Collector’s five countywide branches are back open for business.

And, they’ve been quite busy ever since reopening, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano said during an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting earlier this month.

Besides handling various tax payments, Fasano said his office has had an influx of other requests of late, such as road tests for driving licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, issuing applications and renewals for concealed weapons permits, and more.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano was the featured speaker at an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting earlier this month. (Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)

In fact, concealed weapons permits, specifically, have shot up in recent weeks, he said.

Concealed weapons permits are offered at three of the county tax collector’s five offices — in Dade City, Wesley Chapel and Gulf Harbors, respectively.

And, those offices recently have been “overwhelmed” with the number of people seeking concealed weapons permits, Fasano said. Over 100 permits were issued each weekday in the first week of June alone, he said.

Fasano observed of the influx: “I won’t expand as to why, I can only assume, of what is happening throughout this country and throughout this world. This happens a lot, whenever there’s some unrest, of any sort, we see a large population of people coming in, old, young, and they’ve come into our three offices that we provide weapons permits.”

Fasano added “the vast majority” of weapons permits issued are from people who’ve never had one before, while some others were simply renewals. He went on to mention the three branches provide a “one-stop shop” in offering applications, fingerprints, photographs and related services for concealed weapons permits; it usually takes a few weeks for new permits to be issued, pending state approval, he said.

Revenue shortfall, payment assistance programs
While tax collector’s offices and lobbies were closed for much of April, the government agency did provide many services through its website, call center and by mail.

However, the agency still took a “significant revenue loss” during that period in most everything but property taxes, Fasano said. That included fees collected from providing motor vehicle services, title work, birth certificates, concealed weapons permits and so on.

But, despite the shortfall in fees, Fasano noted his office didn’t have to lay off or furlough any of its 200 or so employees.

Said Fasano, “We were able to do things so that no one got laid off, no one lost their job, no one had to collect unemployment, and everybody stayed in their position, working every day, five days a week, and it’s been successful.”

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office has reopened all five of its countywide branches.

Meanwhile, for those residents who’ve been laid off or furloughed in the wake of COVID-19, the tax office has multiple payment assistance programs for those struggling.

Fasano mentioned there’s quarterly property tax payment plans, as well as partial payment options, where residents can pay increments of at least $100 at a time.

As a sign of the present economic hardships, Fasano noted his office has been forced to issue roughly 1,000 more tax lien certificates (an enforceable first lien against the property for unpaid real estate taxes) compared to this time last year.

“We had a lot of phone calls from people who were having some difficulty paying their taxes this year,” Fasano said. “It’s just a sad situation for everybody.”

COVID-19 safety measures implemented
The tax collector also outlined how each branch has taken additional safety precautions since reopening, in the wake of COVID-19.

Those precautions have entailed spreading chairs 6 feet apart; installing countertop shields to create a barrier between representatives and customers; encouraging — but not mandating — customers to wear masks; and, limiting the amount of customers in the office at any one time.

Additionally, tax collector has developed a text message notification system that alerts waiting customers when they’re ready to be serviced. The technology provides an added layer of social distancing, Fasano said, as customers can choose to sit in their car or wait outside until they’re alerted that their ticket number will be called shortly. It’s similar to how restaurants sends texts to guests for waitlist updates and automatic reservation reminders, he said. The service is already underway at the Wesley Chapel office, and should be available at all five offices in forthcoming weeks, Fasano said.

Said Fasano, “We think that’s going to go a long way in, I hope, in more social distancing and trying to comply with the governor’s (Ron DeSantis) suggestions.”

For more information, visit PascoTaxes.com.

Published July 1, 2020