The Dade City Commission delivered its latest review for City Manager Leslie Porter, and they identified some key areas for improvement. They rated Porter’s overall performance at a 4.1 out of 5.0 scale, and said focus areas for improvement are in building relationships and communications. The five commissioners graded Porter in these categories: management in administration, adhering to … [Read more...]
30 years and counting for Dade City Commissioner
June 9, 2020 By
Scott Black was only 25 years old when he was first elected to the Dade City Commission, in 1990. Three decades later, he remains just as passionate about the post. “I still get excited about the meetings, I still feel like I’m learning things, I still feel like I’m kind of young with it,” Black said in a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News. The commissioner, now 55, jokes he’s … [Read more...]
Pasco courthouse has colorful history
June 2, 2020 By
If you visit downtown Dade City, it’s nearly impossible not to notice the stately Historic Pasco County Courthouse. It sits in the middle of a town square, at Seventh Street and Meridian Avenue. Originally constructed in 1909, and restored in a $2.3 million renovation in 1998, the courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Sept. 20, 2006. With its Classical … [Read more...]
Remembering Pete ‘Hutch’ Brock II, a community servant
February 5, 2020 By
Pete Hutchinson “Hutch” Brock II, a former Dade City mayor who was active in community life — passed away on Jan. 26, at age 54. Brock served on the Dade City Commission from 2000 to 2004, then as Dade City’s mayor from 2004 to 2008, according to an obituary posted on the Hodges Family Funeral Home website. “While he was mayor, we had an unprecedented period of annexations – undeveloped … [Read more...]
Medical marijuana dispensaries allowed in Dade City
February 5, 2020 By
Medical marijuana treatment centers and dispensaries may now set up shop within certain areas of Dade City. Dade City Commissioners on Jan. 28 adopted an ordinance revising the city’s land development regulations to make the treatment facilities a permitted use in the city’s general commercial zoning district, and an allowed use in commercial and employment center planned development … [Read more...]
Medical marijuana ordinance gains first-round approval
January 22, 2020 By
Dade City is a step closer to allowing medical marijuana treatment centers within its city limits. Dade City Commissioners gave first-round approval to a zoning text amendment that would make the treatment facilities a permitted use in the city’s general commercial zoning district, and would make them an allowed use in commercial and employment center planned development districts. The first … [Read more...]
Dade City has location for downtown splash park
October 30, 2019 By
The Dade City Commission has approved a land purchase that may finally bring a splash park/bike hub to the city’s downtown area. The city has targeted a 2.23-acre parcel that borders the Hardy Trail on Eighth Street. The property, at 3772 Church St., is owned by local businessman Otto Weitzenkorn. The real estate’s 2018 appraised value is $1.168 million, but city officials say the … [Read more...]
Dade City approves budget, with some qualms
September 18, 2019 By
Dade City Commissioners adopted the city’s tentative budget for next fiscal year, but not without some disagreement. A first reading ordinance of the $19,296,935 budget passed by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon casting the lone dissenting vote during a Sept. 10 meeting. The 2019-2020 budget is based on an approved 7.14 millage rate. Newlon took umbrage with multiple … [Read more...]
Dade City sets tentative millage rate
July 31, 2019 By
Dade City residents will not see an increase in their property tax rate for the coming year. Dade City Commissioners unanimously voted 5-0 on July 23 to set the tentative millage rate at 7.14 mills — the same rate as last year. Under state law, once a tentative millage rate has been set, the city cannot raise it before the start of the fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The commission does, … [Read more...]
Dade City considering retail consultant
May 22, 2019 By
The City of Dade City is considering the feasibility of hiring a retail consulting firm — as part of an effort to lure more commercial business and economic development within city limits. City commissioners discussed the issue at length during a May 7 workshop, where they heard proposals from three professional firms for the creation of a retail market analysis and development … [Read more...]
