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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association

Dade City Police seek raises, more resources

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As Dade City anticipates burgeoning commercial and residential development, the city’s police chief said the time is ripe for increased funding for his department.

Dade City Police Chief James Walters addressed the issue during a Dade City Commission budget workshop earlier this month.

Dade City Police Chief James Walters, right, with Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez (File)

Early projections put the police department’s budget at nearly $2.9 million for fiscal year 2020-2021. That represents roughly 44% of the city’s entire $6.51 million general fund.

The agency’s budget this year includes creating a detective sergeant class to assist with span of control and supervision; adding a new civilian position to handle crime scene property evidence; and replacing three police vehicles totaling $165,000. The department originally asked for four vehicles.

A broader issue, however, centers on base salaries and overall pay to the department’s sworn police officers.

As Dade City Manager Leslie Porter negotiates with the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association on behalf of the police department, Walters is asking commissioners to consider a “significant pay adjustment” for his police force. He also wants “equity” of police officers in relation to other city employees.

The starting salary for a sworn Dade City police officer is about $37,700, notably lower than other law enforcement agencies in Pasco County, Walters said.

He also stated that starting salary hasn’t changed for numerous years.

“The average pay for a police officer of deputy sheriff in Pasco County is $41,000. That’s not because some departments are paying $42,000 or $40,000, but rather, because we’re at $37,000 and most others are in the mid-40s,” Walters said.

He pointed to Zephyrhills, which is advertising a $44,500 starting salary for a patrol officer. And, he noted that figure is expected to be higher with Zephyrhills’ next budget.

The city’s growth is a factor, too, the chief said, saying hundreds, if not thousands, of new homes have been approved within city limits.

That comes at a time when the agency already is having a challenging time recruiting and retaining qualified sworn officers, Walters said.

Nick Marolda, president of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, touched on those issues without revealing information regarding the ongoing confidential negotiations.

“You’re spending thousands and thousands of dollars training these officers. They get great training, and then in about two years or three years, they look around and they see they’re the lowest (paid) in Pasco County, and they bail on you, and you lose all that money in training, and they go to another agency and you’ve got to start over again.

The Dade City Police Department has the lowest base salary of any law enforcement agency in Pasco County, at around $37,700. Dade City Police Chief James Walters and the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association are working to change that. (Courtesy of Dade City Police Department)

“The goal here is we’re trying to find good people and good officers to come to the department, and we’ve got to pay them for that, because it’s competitive,” Marolda explained.

The city’s police department has 23 sworn officers and about 40 total employees, which includes civilian personnel and part-time staffers.

While its police chief didn’t call for the addition of sworn officers in this year’s coming budget, it’s something he emphasized that commissioners must seriously address in coming years, until development levels out.

As of this year, the municipality had roughly 4,000 residential unit entitlements over the next decade — which means they are actively under construction or review.

“In order to provide the services this community has come to expect and deserve, the police department must grow as well,” he said.

“We are already seeing a tremendous increase in our calls for service, and the more calls for service that we have with the same number of officers, the less time there is to spend on direct speeding enforcement and community outreach and community-oriented policing,” Walters said.

Commissioners later voiced their support for the police department and the concerns raised by Walters, a 25-year veteran of the agency who’s served as chief since 2018.

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Shive said the matter will be handled seriously by city leaders, and other commissioners echoed those sentiments.

Published August 26, 2020

Political Agenda 07/18/2018

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Sample ballots available
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has announced that sample ballots for the Aug. 26 Primary Election are available online at PascoVotes.com, and will be mailed to Pasco County voters on Aug. 6.

To view sample ballots online, voters need to know their voting precinct and party of registration.

Club meetings

Republican Club of Central Pasco
Mike Wells will be the guest speaker at the Republican Club of Central Pasco’s meeting on July 23. The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The social will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting starting at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Trinity Democratic Club meeting
The Trinity Democratic Club’s July 25 meeting will feature Chris Hunter, candidate for the district 12 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Amanda Murphy, candidate in district 16 seat in of the Florida Senate. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, at 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour (self-pay) with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting. For more information, call (415) 609-3633.

Candidate forums

  • Idlewild Baptist Church, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz, will host a candidate’s forum on July 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • The East Pasco Democratic Club will host a political forum for all Democrats, Republicans and no party affiliation for local and state offices on Aug. 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Alice Hall Community Center, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. The League of Women Voters will be there to register voters or update voters’ current registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Ice cream social
The Central Pasco Democratic Party will host an ice cream social on Aug. 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Meadow Pointe Community Center, 28245 County Line Road. Those attending can meet other Democrats and talk with local candidates.

Endorsements

  • The West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association has endorsed Mike Moore, in his re-election bid for the District 2 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Moore’s campaign.
  • The Veterans Caucus; Alex Sink, former chief financial officer of Florida; and the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, have endorsed Brandi Geoit in the race for District 4 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Geoit’s campaign.

Published July 18, 2018

Higher property taxes appear likely in Pasco County

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Pasco County commissioners have agreed to advertise a tax hike that could fully pay for salary increases for Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco’s deputies.

The increased revenues might also pay for a few other items on a wish list suggested by commissioners, including new fire rescue vehicles, additional code enforcement officers, and more money for libraries.

But the increased tax rate will not become final until commissioners approve the approximately $1.3 billion budget in September, and they can always roll the proposed rate back.

However, commissioners, at the July 21 meeting in New Port Richey, had to approve a tentative millage rate that can be advertised in trim notices sent to property owners.

The vote came before a standing-room-only crowd.

The board has adopted rate of 9.4, which is about half a mill higher than the current rate of 8.9.

For a $150,000 house, with taxable value of $100,000, the increase would mean about $36 a year in additional property tax.

Between now and September there will be workshops and public hearings where commissioners might get an earful from unhappy taxpayers.

Or, they could be greeted with cheers from Nocco and others who say the pay increase is critical to public safety.

“It’s just hard for Republicans to raise taxes. We know we’re going to get hammered,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.  But she said, “I’m not here for a career. I’m here to do what’s best for the county. I’m willing. If we don’t invest in our county, how can we possibly expect anyone else to?”

The crowd packing the commission’s meeting room included deputies, first responders and their family members.

They made it clear, as they have at other commission meetings, that they will not be satisfied with anything less than a full funding of Sheriff Chris Nocco’s requested budget increase of $6.5 million.

Kathleen Stevenson, the wife of a Pasco County deputy, told commissioners she never knows each day if her husband will come home safely.

“I want to say what an impact you can make today by putting yourselves in our shoes,” she said. “How much value do they (deputies) have for you? If you think things are improving in this county, you have blinders on.”

The sheriff’s total budget would be about $104 million for 2016, if fully funded. The increase is largely for salary and benefits to jump-start a three-year plan to make Pasco competitive in hiring and retaining deputies. The increase also includes funds for the jail’s new camera security system and maintenance of the department’s helicopter unit.

The sheriff’s department lost 44 deputies last year, many of them choosing to take higher paying jobs in Tampa. Nocco said he expects to lose about 60 deputies by the end of the year.

Pasco ranks 55 out of all 67 counties in Florida in per capita funding for law enforcement, and dead last among Tampa Bay area counties including Pinellas, Hillsborough, Citrus and Hernando, according to data provided by the sheriff’s department. That data also shows the department’s current budget is the lowest among counties with similar or smaller populations.

For example, Pasco’s 2015 law enforcement budget of about $98 million is significantly lower than Pinellas’ budget of nearly $249 million, even though Pinellas has about 61,000 fewer residents.

“It pains me that political leaders in this county have not made public safety funding a priority that gets us out of last place,” said Gary Bradford, a retired Tampa police detective who is a member of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association. “I’m ashamed of it. We have to start. We have to start now.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano drew a round of applause when he suggested a higher millage rate than the one eventually adopted.

“We need to make a move,” he said. “We’ve got a chance for a giant leap in this area. I don’t think anyone here wants to be at the bottom of any pile.”

Mariano also championed an end to parking fees at county parks, saying it is time for the county to stop pushing off decisions from year to year.

County officials estimate the annual revenues from parking fees are about $341,000.

But Mariano said, “Our tax base is only going to grow. It’s going to get better.”

Commission chairman Ted Schrader took the opposite view.

“It’s not really going to get better,” Schrader said. “It’s going to get worse.”

Schrader asked Assistant County Administrator Heather Grimes to highlight the crisis that could confront county officials in the next years.

The problem, Grimes said, is that recurring revenues aren’t keeping pace with recurring expenses.

Ending parking fees would be a deal breaker for Schrader who said there was a fairness issue in ending those fees while also increasing the annual storm water fee by $10. He also said the county can’t afford, at least in 2016, to increase library funding to its 2008, pre-recession level.

One source of funding that could help offset or reduce a tax increase is a one-time payout of about $7.4 million from BP Oil. Pasco County commissioners recently agreed to accept the funds as settlement against the oil giant for damages related to the 2010 oil spill at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, off the shores of Louisiana.

The funds probably will be received within three months.

Five Gulf States, including Florida, sued BP for its losses, including tourist-related dollars. The state received more than $3.2 billion from more than $18.7 billion in total from BP. Louisiana received the largest settlement of about $6.8 million but Florida received the highest payout for its total economic losses, pegged at about $2 billion.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore suggested giving $2 million of the county’s share to fund the sheriff’s requested budget.

“That will get him one step closer to the volume of raises he needs to keep people here,” Moore said.

He also supported a budget that funds four additional code enforcement officers. “People are concerned about the image and appearance of the county,” he said. “What’s going to take care of that? Code enforcement.”

Commissioner Mike Wells restated his previous desire to give pay increases to every county employee, possibly with the BP settlement.

“It’s all about raises,” he said. “We have to take care of everybody.”

Published July 29, 2015

Mulieri endorses new replacement, crosses party lines

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No one could ever accuse Pat Mulieri of simply following the herd.

Two months ago, she took a stand in the Republican primary, endorsing underdog Bob Robertson from a group of candidates looking to replace her on the Pasco County Commission.

Pat Mulieri
Pat Mulieri

Robertson lost the primary, so that left the door open for Mulieri to choose yet another underdog — one that is not even a Republican.

Although she stopped short of giving her official endorsement, Mulieri has at least thrown her support behind the Democrat in the county commission District 2 race: Erika Remsberg. It also marked the second time Mulieri chose not to go with the race’s frontrunner — at least financially — Republican Mike Moore.

“I met with Erika,” Mulieri told The Laker/Lutz News. “She is bright, knowledgeable and caring. We have quite a bit in common,” including being from New York, and earning master’s degrees from New York-based schools.

Mulieri also liked the fact Remsberg is a teacher, who works as a liaison to homeless children.

“The next years, there will be many exciting changes in Pasco,” Mulieri said. “The new commissioners have to be ready to do the job. She will respond to citizens and work to solve problems. I believe she will keep learning. She may not have all the answers, but will work to resolve issues.”

Remsberg said she was humbled by Mulieri’s backing.

“Pat has told me she is supporting me, and that she and (husband) Jimmy are both voting for me,” Remsberg said. “I spent a couple hours with her at (Pasco County Animal Services) talking about the county, talking about the commission, and county goals.”

Remsberg has received help from another former commissioner as well. Michael Cox is actually the last Democrat to serve on the board until Henry Wilson Jr. ousted him in 2010. Wilson lost his seat in August in an open primary against another Republican, Mike Wells Jr.

While she won’t name names, Remsberg said others from across the aisle are boosting her as well.

“I am getting more support from Republican voters,” she said. “I believe that my bipartisan message is resonating with people from both parties.”

Moore, who out-spent Remsberg more than 19-to-1 in the campaign, said Thursday in a statement that he is honored to receive the support of many government and community leaders, listing nearly 20 of them. They included Pasco County sheriff Chris Nocco, state Sen. Wilton Simpson — who also has made sizable contributions to Moore’s campaign — and groups like the Pasco County Professional Firefighters Local 4420, and West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association.

The differences between Democrat and Republican did not faze Mulieri in deciding to support Remsberg, the retiring commissioner said.

“We may have some philosophical differences, but she will be the people’s commissioner, and that is needed,” Mulieri said. “Someone to listen, find answers, and realize that commissioners work for the citizens. They are our boss.”

This story was updated 10/16/2014, at 6:10 p.m., to include comment from Mike Moore.