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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Wells

Pasco eyeing rule changes to spur more jobs

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The Pasco County Commission is looking at changing the county’s employment center land use requirements in an effort to encourage more jobs.

County Commissioner Jack Mariano raised the issue during the board’s July 14 meeting, noting that he’s aware of a potential development near the intersection of State Road 54/Suncoast Parkway that could yield more jobs, if the site wasn’t required to have a multifamily component.

“I don’t want to restrict anybody, with EC (an employment center designation), not to be able to create more jobs,” Mariano said. “I want to get every single job that I can.”

Commission Chairman Mike Moore chimed in: “I agree. Do we want apartments or 500 more jobs? We want the jobs. It’s not hard to figure out, right?”

Moore said that’s especially true along the State Road 54/56 corridor, which already has a substantial amount of housing available.

Commissioner Mike Wells said he also supports Mariano’s position.

Nectarios Pittos, the county’s planning and development director, reminded commissioners that it has been the county’s longstanding policy to locate housing close to employment.

He also noted that the county’s plan promotes creating density to support transit plans.

Sites designated as employment centers that are 20 acres or less are not required to include multi-family development, Pittos added.

He also cautioned commissioners that such a change could contribute to traffic congestion.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said the board needs to hear the pros and cons of making such a change.

“We’re making some knee-jerk reactions,” Starkey said. “We only have two east-west roads. We need to be careful.”

Commissioners directed county staff to prepare a board workshop for further discussion on the issue.

In other action, the board:

  • Approved a resolution to notify the public of the county’s proposed solid waste rate increase of $7 per equivalent residential unit (single-family) for fiscal year 2021. The resolution also includes a proposed increase in per-ton tipping fees of $6.39 per ton for fiscal year 2021. A public hearing on the proposed increases has been set for Sept. 8 at 9 a.m., in the board chambers of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, at 37917 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.
  • Approved an amendment to an agreement with Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco Inc., to extend the time to complete the installation of a generator for the pharmacy and medical flooring for the clinic. The original completion date was scheduled for Sept. 30, 2020. However, due to COVID-19, an extension was necessary. The new completion deadline is Sept. 30, 2021.
  • Promoted Brian Hoben to the position of community services director. Hoben had been serving as the public services administrator and as interim community services director.

Published July 22, 2020

Pasco sets tentative tax rate

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Pasco County’s revenues grew, but not as much as had been projected — before COVID-19 flattened the economy.

Pasco County commissioners last week approved the proposed tentative millage rates recommended by County Administrator Dan Biles.

“We are recommending no change in the operating millage rate of 7.6076, or the fire service MSTU (municipal services taxing unit) millage rate of 1.8036,” Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director told the board during its July 14 public meeting.

“Many of the general obligation millage rates are slightly higher than they were in 2020 because in ‘’(fiscal year 2020) ’20, we were paying interest only, and in (fiscal year 2021) ’21, we’re paying interest and principal.”

The board’s approval of its tentative rates means they will be reported in the Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices mailed to property owners in August. The board can choose to lower the rates but cannot raise them, when it adopts the county budget.

The board also set the first public hearing on the county’s budget for Sept. 8 at 5:15 p.m., in the Historic Pasco Courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Because of the ever-evolving threat of COVID-19, it is unclear at this time whether that meeting will be open for public attendance, or will be conducted in some virtual manner.

The county’s taxable assessed values did increase by 7.7% this year, compared to an increase of 9.3% last fiscal year.

Goehig noted that property owners may receive tax bills that are higher than they were this year, but that’s because that would be a property gained value, not because of a higher tax rate.

“Under the Save Our Homes protections, the (increase for) taxable assessed value of homesteaded properties is capped at 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less,” he said. Since the CPI is 2.3%, taxable values on homesteaded properties cannot increase by more than 2.3%, the budget director added.

Goehig also discussed some specific areas of the budget proposed for decreases and increases in the coming year.

“The  biggest change is the tourism development fund. The reason for that is because we are expecting — because of the pandemic — not as many folks staying in hotels, and so on.

“So, we’re expecting revenues to go down, so likewise the amount of revenue to go down about 20%,” he said.

Despite the reduction, the county isn’t expecting any layoffs in that division, Goehig said, noting: “Our crack tourism team is standing by. They’re ready to do the best they can with the money that’s available.”

The fire/rescue department is facing a 10% decrease, Goehig added.

He explained: “That’s because with the pandemic, there’s fewer people out there driving. There’s fewer accidents. So, that the revenues going to fire/rescue are not as high as we had anticipated. So, we’re not really able to move forward with some of the business plan initiatives that we had incorporated into the fire department at that time.”

More funding is expected, though, in some areas.

“The libraries are increasing by almost 9%. We have a new library coming online this summer. That’s reflected there,” the budget director said.

“Parks and recreation increasing by almost 7%. That’s Starkey Ranch District Park. We’re gradually taking over the management of that park, so as we do that, we’re taking on some additional costs for that park,” Goehig added.

The proposed budget calls for a 2% increase for county employers, but it appears that a 3% raise is more likely to happen — based on sentiments expressed by board members.

County Commissioner Mike Wells has been vocal about his support for a 3% raise. That’s what both the county’s constitutional officers are proposing, and what Gov. Ron DeSantis has approved for state workers.

Commissioner Ron Oakley also went on record for a 3% raise for employees.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore put it like this: “We want to make sure that we’re all in line, i.e., the constitutionals that fall under our budget, when we talked about what percentage they’re giving. We talked about what we’re going to do. We want to make sure everybody’s in line.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano said the county typically gets some money back from its constitutional officers, so the board can look at the issue once it has a better idea of how much additional revenue it will have.

Mariano suggested making a decision on the salary issue “a little bit down the road.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, however, voiced misgivings about providing a 3% raise.

“I think in today’s COVID time, 2% is a good raise,” Starkey said, adding she doesn’t know anything in the budget she wants to cut.

“I would be OK going with the 2% this year, and then maybe next year, catching back up when the economy is better,” Starkey said.

Published July 22, 2020

Pasco County faces lean budget year

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Pasco County’s revenues are falling short of projections — in the wake of a flattened economy due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Robert Goehig, budget director for Pasco County, presented an overview of the preliminary budget at the Pasco County Commission’s June 30 meeting.

In essence, the county can afford just 11 of 115 business plan initiatives brought forth by its department heads, Goehig said.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells is pushing for a 3% raise for county employees, instead of the 2% raise recommended by County Administrator Dan Biles. (File)

Among those initiatives is a 2% raise for county employees.

The size of the proposed raise received pushback from County Commissioner Mike Wells.

Wells told County Administrator Dan Biles: “You know the state is giving 3%. I believe almost all of the constitutionals (county constitutional officers) are doing 3%. There is nothing more important on this budget than taking care of our folks. We have to take care of our team. I would like to see that be 3%. I think that’s an extra half-million.”

Biles explained: “The reason we stayed at the 2% is because that basically matches the inflation rate, which was 2.1% last year. We also wanted to be mindful of what is going on in the rest of the community, as well.”

Commission Chairman Mike Moore and Jack Mariano said they’re willing to keep the issue open for further discussion.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, however, backed Biles’ approach.

Starkey said she appreciates the staff’s efforts, but she added: “I am OK with the 2% for this year, and if things get better next year, back up to 3%.”

Pasco’s decreasing revenues reflect what’s happening across the national economy, Goehig said. “When things are going well in the economy, nationwide, they are really going well in Pasco and in the state of Florida, as a whole. But, when things tank, they really tank in Florida.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles is recommending a 2% raise for county employees, based on the rate of inflation. (File)

“Our economy is so dependent on tourism,” Goehig said.

The county is expecting a decrease of 25% in its Tourism Development Tax Fund and is decreasing the budget in that category to reflect the reduced revenues, Goehig said.

The budget also reflects a 12% decrease in Fire Rescue.

“We had some plan initiatives that we implemented in fiscal year 2020, but because of the reductions in revenues, won’t be able to move forward with those,” Goehig said.

He also outlined changes in the budgets for the county’s constitutional officers.

The Sheriff’s Office will get about a 5% increase. The property appraiser’s budget is going down  because of savings it has achieved — through improved technologies.

The Clerk & Comptroller’s budget is about even, while the Supervisor of Elections’ is expected to increase by 1.2%.

Goehig noted that the Supervisor of Elections’ budget doesn’t reflect an additional $1.2 million from the CARES fund it will receive to provide for safe elections through social distancing, masks and those types of measures.

Commissioners are expected to sets the county’s Truth in Millage rate at the board’s July 14 meeting. This process lets county residents and businesses know the maximum ad valorem rate that could be adopted in September, when the board adopts its budget. The final rate that’s approved can be lower, but cannot be higher than the rate adopted in July.

Initiatives included in Pasco budget

  • Additional Attorney and Paralegal
  • Starkey Library Opening
  • Starkey District Park Contractual Obligations
  • Recreational Program at Dade City Armory
  • Central Facilities Building Design
  • Paramedic School (at PHSC) for Firefighter/EMTs
  • Prepare for the Opening of Fire Station 42 in fiscal year 2022
  • Pasco Economic Development Council
  • Employee Wage Raise (2%) to Keep Pace with Inflation
  • Procurement Management Software
  • Initiate Comprehensive Plan Update

Published July 08, 2020

Some 2020 races decided; others up for grabs

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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, Mike 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.

Seats in other political races remain up for grabs.

Pasco School Board District 4 incumbent Alison Crumbley faces Joshua M. Stringfellow.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning is being challenged by David P. LaRoche and Cynthia Thompson.

Republican Kathryn Starkey incumbent in the race for Pasco County Commission District 3 faces Democrat challenger Jessica McCoy Stempien.

In District 4, an election is being held to fill the seat that’s being vacated two years early by Wells, who decided to run for county appraiser. Four Republican candidates are vying for the seat: Gary Bradford, Christina M. Fitzpatrick, Russell “Jeff’ Miller and Gabriel (Gabe) Papadopoulus.

Pasco County Commission District 5 incumbent Republican Jack Mariano faces challengers Brandi Geoit, a Democrat, and Victor Rodriguez, with no party affiliation.

Meanwhile, at the state level, another familiar face has stepped forward.

Republican Danny Burgess, of Zephyrhills, is competing with Democrat Kathy Lewis in a special election in Senate District 20. They are vying to fill the seat of Tom Lee, who stepped away from the seat early.

Published June 24, 2020

Pasco wants crash debris off the street

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When tow-truck crews clean up after a crash, it should be a thorough job.

At least that’s how the Pasco County Commission sees it.

The county board soon will be considering a provision that will require the people who remove damaged or wrecked vehicles from roadways to be sure to clear the roadway of glass and injurious debris.

“This is sort of a local version of a state law that is basically aimed at tow-truck drivers,” said Kristi Sims, senior assistant county attorney. “They’re operating on rotation and remove vehicles after accidents from our roadway.”

The aim is to hold them to the standard that the state law requires, which is clean up all of the debris that results from the incident.

“By codifying it in our local ordinances, we have a local chance to use code enforcement to enforce it. At the state law, it’s only enforceable through issuance of a uniform traffic citation.

“At our level, it will be enforceable obviously through issuance of a county court citation, which is punishable up to $500 per day.

“The local amendment that we’re proposing also will have a provision that requires the person removing the debris to lawfully dispose of it,” Sims said.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore said he wants to make sure that this ordinance doesn’t require towing companies to remove biological hazards, in the event that someone is hurt or killed in an accident.

“This is aimed at all of the glass, hardened plastic, that is getting pushed and accumulated into sort of the center of every intersection in Pasco County,” Sims said.

It requires “tow truck drivers on the rotations to do a good job, it’s part of their contract to pick up that debris, that causes flat tires, that flies up and scratches other people’s paint, etc.,” she said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said: “I thought it was required already.”

Sims responded: “It is under state law, we just haven’t duplicated it on a local level.”

Commissioner Mike Wells said: “I don’t think it’s every hauler, but again, we need to hold them accountable.”

Wells added: “There’s no excuse for them not cleaning it up.”

Sims said coordination will be needed between the county and law enforcement agencies to determine whom should be cited when crash scenes are not cleaned up.

Board members voted to set a public hearing date on the new requirements for April 7 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be in the boardroom, on the second floor of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Published March 18, 2020

Touchpoint opens global headquarters in Pasco

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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.

TouchPoint Healthcare had its ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 20. It is the worldwide headquarters for the medical supply distributor, in Odessa. (Brian Fernandes)

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 square feet.

The building, at 2200 Touchpoint Drive, is off of State Road 54, and home to TouchPoint Healthcare’s two businesses – TouchPoint Medical and iTD.

It represents a $23.8-million capital investment for Pasco County.

Brian McNeill, the president and CEO of TouchPoint Inc. – the parent company, told those gathered: “The investment that we’re making here in Pasco County is an example of our long-term commitment to our businesses, to our people and to the communities in which we live and work.

“We work with every major medical device manufacturer in the world who focus their efforts on imaging and software.”

The company is located in The Preserve, a residential community off State Road 54.

Since selecting its Odessa location in 2018, TouchPoint has been working alongside the county and the Pasco Economic Development Council (EDC).

The county was ultimately chosen because it would grant more access to engineers, technicians and accounts, McNeill said.

The area also “attracts a type of person that wants to have a balanced life, wants to enjoy the water [and] wants to enjoy the outdoors,” he added, saying that this reflects the company’s values.

Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco EDC, praised the new facility.

“You now are at the entry point of a life sciences corridor here for Pasco County, and that’s huge,” Cronin said.

He noted the economic benefit that the new headquarters brings.

Life sciences, as he put it, is a recession-proof industry because everyone needs health care.

The warehouse manufactures various equipment that is brought into hospitals and other health care facilities.

Such products include computerized medication dispensers with multiple draws, and a scanner.

There are even miniature refrigerators to preserve those medicines that need to be kept at a low temperature.

Medical equipment, such as carts designed to mount computers, are built there, as well.

The facility also operates as a storage unit, with aisles lined up with thousands of parts for production.

Machinery can be found throughout the building that manufacture items like metal components, and that paint and provide coating to supplies.

There’s also a spacious cafeteria to accommodate workers.

And, the site is eco-friendly, as it’s incorporated with LED lights and charging stations in the parking lot, for electric cars.

“Very few companies have managed to adapt and stay in existence for more than a century,” said Edward Putnam, chairman of the board of directors for TouchPoint Inc.

He took the time to summarize the company’s history, which first began manufacturing pipes to transport oil in the late 19th century.

David Engel, manager of the county’s office of economic growth, and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells and Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles were recognized for their role in bringing the company’s headquarters to Pasco.

The headquarters can hold up to 298 employees and currently has 139.

Employment also is expected to continue to grow.

McNeill said there are future plans to expand the headquarters, doubling in size.

Published February 26, 2020.

Pasco County adopts rental registry ordinance

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Pasco County has adopted an ordinance requiring owners of rental properties and vacant properties to register them.

The idea is to give the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office a way to find out who owns a property, or who’s authorized to be on it, when they’re called to a scene.

It also will give county officials information they need to pursue code violations, when a structure is becoming a hazard, property is littered with trash, weeds are overgrown and so forth.

Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the new tool.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco applauded commissioners, noting the registry will help residents who have been dealing with nearby crime and other issues resulting from problem properties.

“They can’t sleep at night. They can’t let their kids out at night. This is something that will help them bring back their neighborhoods,” Nocco said.

The ordinance notes that commissioners recognize that vacant properties and the condition of many rental properties “lead to a decline in community and property value; create nuisances; lead to a general decrease in neighborhood and community aesthetic; create conditions that invite criminal activity; and foster an unsafe and unhealth environment.”

The ordinance also notes that while the total number of homes have increased, the total number of homesteaded properties has declined.

The registry will give the county and Sheriff’s Office a reliable way to communicate with others when properties  are “abandoned, neglected, or left unsupervised, or when tenants/occupants are violating county regulations.”

Owners of rental or vacant properties who live outside of Pasco County must designate a licensed property manager, based within Pasco or adjacent counties. The ordinance defines a licensed property manager as one who holds a current and active Florida real estate license.

The registration form also gives the owner an option to enter into a “trespass agreement” with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, giving the Sheriff’s Office the authority to issue trespass warnings to individuals not listed as authorized occupants on the registry.

“I’m really glad that we’ve arrived at this day. This is really important to the constituents of Pasco County that we take care of this problem,” Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said.

“I don’t know that this will get us all of the way to where I think we need to be, but I think this is a great first step.”

Commissioner Mike Wells, who advocated for the registry, said “it’s going to increase (property) values. It’s going to help life-safety.”

It also will help the Sheriff’s Office and the county’s code enforcement department, Wells added.

At the same time, he said, such ordinances have to be carefully crafted.

“It’s a touchy thing. We don’t want to overregulate,” Wells said.

Joe Farrell, of the Central Pasco Association of Realtors, told commissioners, “we wholeheartedly support this ordinance.”

Published January 29, 2020

County marks Ridge Road extension milestone

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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.

From left: Sam Beneck, project manager for the extension, is joined by Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles, Pasco County Commissioners Mike Wells, Jack Mariano, Ron Oakley and Mike Moore; U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Margaret Smith of Pasco County Engineering Services. The Jan. 13 groundbreaking ceremony was the first step in the construction of a project that’s been a county goal for more than 20 years. (Brian Fernandes)

The groundbreaking, held Jan. 13, followed a permit issued in December by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

County officials have been pushing for the project for more than two decades. When the extension is completed, motorists will have another east-west way to get across the county, in addition to State Road 52 and State Road 54.

The ceremony, which drew numerous dignitaries, took place at the end of Town Center Road. That’s where Ridge Road will extend, heading east.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, of District 2, kicked off the ceremony, with a few remarks. He was joined at the ceremony with his colleagues on the commission: Ron Oakley, Jack Mariano, Kathryn Starkey and Mike Wells.

“It’s another great day in Pasco County,” Moore said. “The Ridge Road extension is finally happening, providing a much needed east-west route through the heart of Pasco County for our citizens, and insuring another critical emergency evacuation route.”

Currently, Ridge Road runs between Moon Lake Road to the north, and DeCubellis Road to the south, in New Port Richey.

The roughly 9-mile extension ultimately will link the road to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

Construction is being broken into two phases.

The new Ridge Road intersections and their anticipated completion dates go as follows:

Phase 1

  • From Moon Lake Road/DeCubellis Road to Town Center Road, with completion scheduled for 2020
  • From Town Center Road to Suncoast Parkway, with completion scheduled for 2021
  • Extension widened from two lanes to four lanes to Suncoast Parkway, with completion scheduled for 2022

Phase 2

  • Four lanes from Suncoast Parkway to Sunlake Boulevard, with completion scheduled for 2022
  • Four lanes from Sunlake Boulevard to U.S. 41, with completion scheduled for 2025

The first phase will cost an estimated $90 million.

The second phase has not been funded.

The project also has received congressional support.

Pasco County Commission Vice Chairman Mike Wells was one of the five county commissioners present for the groundbreaking of the Ridge Road extension on Jan. 13. Wells represents District 4, which includes a portion of the new extension’s path.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida’s 12th congressional district has been an advocate for Ridge Road’s extension. He has urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for several years to issue a permit for the project.

At the groundbreaking, Bilirakis said: “This is a team effort, and it is a big deal. We’re thankful this morning to celebrate a vision that began many years ago.”

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles also was instrumental in helping the project move forward.

He signed off on the permit, the day the county received it.

“As Ridge Road is built, it actually reduces the traffic on [State Roads] 54 and 52, and right around there by 10%,” Biles said.

Commissioner Mariano, who represents District 5, said: “The future’s bright for Pasco County. This is a major accomplishment for a community that stuck together knowing how important it was, and this is something we should be very, very proud of.”

Mariano also called attention to safety concerns that will be addressed as a result of the new corridor.

“One of the major reasons we elevated it (Ridge Road), was to make it safer so it can be used during a hurricane event as well,” he said.

Mariano made reference to Tropical Storm Debby, which caused State Road 54 to shut down in 2012.

“This right here is going to be for the safety of our citizens on the west side of this county,” added Commissioner Ron Oakley, of District 1.

County officials said the elevation also significantly reduces impacts to the wetlands of the Serenova Tract of Starkey Wilderness Preserve. They estimate that reduction in impacts to be as high as 83%.

The project includes 16 bridges, curbs, guardrails and fencing.

Impacts to wildlife are being taken into consideration as well.

The end of Town Center Road has been cleared of brush, and is now being surveyed for gopher tortoises in the vicinity, said Sam Beneck, the project manager.

Any tortoises found in the construction area will be relocated to another site, Beneck said.

While the county has been pushing for the project for decades, environmentalists have been opposed to it.

The opponents, including the Sierra Club Florida Conservation, have said the new measures do not go far enough in protecting the Preserve or wildlife.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who represents District 3, said the extension will provide another alternative for those going to River Ridge High School and River Ridge Middle, which are located along Town Center Road.

That will reduce congestion and improve safety, Starkey said, noting, “it was never intended” for both schools to have only one entrance.

“Not only is this a very important hurricane evacuation route, but it’s also very important for the well-being of the students and the faculty, and all this neighborhood of the River Ridge complex,” Starkey said.

“The Ridge Road extension will have a lasting impact that extends far beyond the community surrounding this site,” said Commission Vice Chairman Mike Wells, of District 4.

After remarks concluded, officials donned hard hats and grabbed shovels to take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking pose.

Ridge Road’s extension to Town Center Road is expected to begin in coming weeks, with construction of that portion expected to be completed by this fall.

Published January 22, 2020

Pasco County steps closer to rental registry

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Pasco County is taking aim at a problem that crops up when a Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy arrives at a scene, and isn’t able to determine who owns the property, or who is authorized to be there.

The problem also occurs when the county can’t pin down a way to locate who’s responsible for code violations at a specific site.

To address those issues, the Pasco County Commission is considering a new ordinance that requires rental properties to be registered.

Senior Assistant County Attorney Kristi Sims is handling the ordinance for the County Attorney’s Office, and she appeared at the Pasco County Commission’s Jan. 7 meeting to give the commissioners a briefing.

At the same meeting, during the public comment portion, a number of speakers — representing real estate, property management and legal interests — offered their input on the proposed ordinance.

Jacob Bruynell, governmental affairs manager, Greater Tampa Realtors, raised concerns about a number of issues, including what would trigger the need for registering a property, some of the definitions included in the draft ordinance and when the new requirement would take effect.

He questioned the target effective date of March 1.

“This seems like an aggressive approach, as most citizens don’t know it’s coming and do not know if their properties fit the ordinance requirement,” Bruynell said.

He also questioned a provision that requires the designated property manager to have an office in Pasco County.

“We request that the ordinance allow property managers from neighboring counties,” he said.

Andrew Dougill, a professional property manager, also weighed in.

Dougill, a member of the board for the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers, said his group represents professional managers of single-family rental properties.

“Our organization is here to speak in favor of the rental registry ordinance. We recognize that the Sheriff’s department has a problem with vacant properties, with slumlords, so we’re very much in favor of that.

“We do have a couple of concerns with the ordinance as written,” he added.

“The first one is the requirement that the property manager maintains a business office in Pasco County. Many of the residential properties in Pasco County are managed by property managers in Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando — so requiring a business office in Pasco County will cause thousands of current landlords in the county to lose their professional manager, which is obviously an unintended consequence and is not the intent of the ordinance,” Dougill said.

“The second issue we have is the definition of a property manager.

“As written, it seems to allow a property manager to be unlicensed, in violation of Florida statute. We suggest requiring the property manager to be licensed by the state, is the way to go,” Dougill added.

Licensing makes a difference
Carl Stratton, the broker of Dennis Realty and Dennis Property Management, told commissioners he has two offices in Pasco County.

He said his company currently manages about 500 units in Pasco, but also manages properties in Pinellas, Hernando, Citrus and Hernando counties.

Stratton also spoke in favor of lifting the requirement for property managers to have an office in Pasco.

He said it “would be a big hardship on thousands and thousands of owners, who have a trusted relationships with their property managers.”

Instead, he supports the idea that a property manager’s office be within a 50-mile radius of the property.

“I think that would be reasonable,” Stratton said.

Harry Heist, a landlord attorney, noted “the ordinance fails to define property manager.”

Heist went on: “A lot of people don’t realize that there’s two types of property managers out there in the world. There are licensed property managers who have real estate licenses that work under a broker and then there are unlicensed people.

“The unlicensed property managers who manage for absentee owners have caused a serious problem in Pasco County and all over Florida.”

Heist asked the county to amend the ordinance to define a property manager as someone who holds a license to manage property in Florida.

“We feel that it will cut down on a lot of problems and this is what will help the problems you are trying to address,” Heist said.

Sims addressed the issues later in the commission’s meeting.

“I had several meetings with some of the people who were here today, as well as other commercial realtors — people representing various groups that would be affected,” Sims told commissioners.

She said those discussions provided insights, which prompted her to recommend changes to the draft ordinance.

She told commissioners her briefing was intended to share the proposed revisions, so commissioners could react to them before the issue is brought to their Jan. 21 meeting for consideration.

Sims told the board: “I’ve come to understand that one of my big problems — and one of code enforcement’s big problems is — these illegitimate, non-licensed property managers: John Smith sticks an index card up in his window at the mobile home park and says he’s the property manager, but he’s not a licensed person. And that park is owned by an entity who is out of state, out of county, etc., etc..”

She’s recommending the definition of a property owner be changed to require it to be a licensed real estate broker.

She’s also recommending those licensed property managers could be from Pasco and abutting counties.

“We feel like we’re going to get responses from people who are holding a real estate license,” Sims said.

She also plans to recommend an April 1 effective date, though the system is expected to go live on March 1, so people would have access to it.

Additionally, Sims plans to bring back two follow-up ordinances. One would duplicate the state law that prohibits a person from acting as a property manager, without the proper licensure.

The other would require apartments, condos and commercial properties to have a permanently posted notice containing contact information for the property.

The proposed changes, she said,  “takes out a lot of the people who aren’t really our problem. It takes out logistical issues for  apartments and commercial realtors, who are dealing with tenants that may come in and out.

“And, I think is more narrowly tailored to address — at least at this point — to address what is our current focus and problem.”

Chase Daniels, assistant executive director, for the Sheriff’s Office said, “It gets us to where we want it to be. It still gives us the teeth we’re looking for.

“We certainly don’t want to impose on these groups that are doing the right thing.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she’s encouraged to see support for the ordinance.

“I agree with all of the little tweaks. They seem reasonable. We never wanted this to be onerous. But, we want to have a tool,” Starkey said.

Commissioner Mike Wells added: “All of these changes make sense. I appreciate your taking the time to meet with the stakeholders, over and over again, to listen to them.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed: “You guys have done a great job, working together on this, getting the feedback from the public. We wanted to get an ordinance with some teeth in it, but at the same time not be too onerous.”

Published January 15, 2020

Pasco County is eyeing new rental registry

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The Pasco County Commission is considering a new regulation that would require a registry for all vacant and rental properties in unincorporated areas of the county.

The registry would be implemented and maintained by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and would require owners to designate a property manager to be responsible for receiving legal warnings, notices and citations for vacant and rental properties, according to a county agenda memo.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells wants Pasco County to adopt a new regulation that would require a registry for all vacant and rental properties in unincorporated areas of the county. Having the registry, he said, is a life-safety issue. (File)

The proposed ordinance requires annual renewal of registrations and updates, when information changes.

It also gives owners the ability to ask for notification when a tenant or occupant is warned or cited by the county or the Sheriff’s Office for violating county codes, and gives the owner the opportunity to partner with the Sheriff’s Office to trespass any persons found on the property.

The registry does not include an inspection component or require owners to provide services, such as garbage, electric or water, the agenda memo says.

Also, there will be no fee to register, update or change information in the registry.

There will be a fine, however, if after a warning the owner does not comply with the registration requirements.

The County Attorney’s Office has recommended a fine of $125 for the first offense, which would double for each violation thereafter, up to a maximum of $500 per day.

The fine amount will be set by resolution, at the time of the ordinance’s final adoption, the agenda memo says.

The idea for the rental registry came up in April, when Commissioner Mike Wells said the county needed to have a way to find property owners quickly, when the need arises.

He characterized it as a “life-safety” issue.

At the time, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey threw her support behind the idea, noting she thinks a tool is needed to be able identify who is accountable for code violations and other issues at properties.

The county now appears ready to move forward with the ordinance and is planning a public hearing in January.

Published January 08, 2020