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Pasco officials resisting clerk’s request for big budget hike

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Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles is seeking a sizable increase in her budget and Pasco’s administrative leadership is pushing back.

Alvarez-Sowles has formally requested about $13.3 million in her fiscal 2021-2022 budget.

That’s nearly $9 million more than the constitutional officer’s budget this year.

She justified the request in an April 30 letter to Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and his county board colleagues.

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles is requesting a substantial budget increase, but she said it’s to provide necessary services.

In that letter, Alvarez-Sowles wrote the proposed budget is necessary “to fulfill statutory responsibilities” for the coming fiscal year.

But it became apparent, during a June 8 county board meeting, that the substantial increase is unlikely to be granted.

Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director, touched on clerk’s request during a preliminary discussion of the county’s financial priorities for next fiscal year.

County Administrator Dan Biles weighed in, too.

In her letter, Alvarez-Sowles explained the “support for this increase is the result of a thorough re-examination of Florida law that prescribes how clerks’ offices in non-charter counties are to be funded.”

She continued: “The analysis identified the underlying reasons why the office is facing a breaking point in its ability to accomplish critical , statutorily mandated operations for the community, the Board of County Commissioners, and our many stakeholders, including county operations, justice partner agencies, outside auditors, and numerous other local, state, and federal agencies.”

The clerk said research “revealed oversights with the historical methodology of funding requests in that the clerk’s office did not ask the county to sufficiently fund it in accordance with long-established provisions in Florida laws.”

Alvarez-Sowles also offered a breakdown of the request, noting that county funding of board and court-related technology costs included in the request total $1,246,465.

She added, “county funding of court-related local requirements computes to $7,380,737.

Her proposed increase also includes increases for retirement costs and group health insurance, as well as a pay adjustment of 3% — totaling $365,734.”

Additionally, Alvarez-Sowles noted the clerk’s office “has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by cutting positions while implementing new technologies and efficiencies; however, funding is not sufficient to cover the cost of providing required , essential services.”

To underscore her argument, she said Pasco’s population has increased by 19% since 2010, and county staffing has increased by 39% during that time.

By comparison, the clerk’s office cut 11% of its positions due to funding shortages, she said.

“Circumstances beyond the control of the clerk’s office continue to impact its workload and resource needs,” she added.

The clerk cited other issues that are affected by inadequate funding, which include the ability to: attract and retain qualified applicants; to meet anticipated increasing service demands; and, to maintain proper reserves needed to plan for technological improvements.

Goehig addressed the clerk’s request.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles has agreed to meet with Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller and County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder to discuss the clerk’s budget request.

He said the retirement and salary increases are already included in the clerk’s base budget.

The $1.2 million request for court-related technology has been moved onto the county’s list of business-plan initiatives — but has not yet made the cut for funding.

Addressing the additional $7 million request, Goehig said: “We don’t feel that’s an appropriate expense for the county. That’s also not funded.”

Alvarez-Sowles, who handles the clerk’s duties during board sessions, asked Oakley for permission to address the issue, which was granted.

“I didn’t know until right now, what the (administrator’s) recommendation is,” she said.

Funding for the court-related technology, would pay for equipment used for both court and board services work, she said.

She said her request was not a surprise because she’d been meeting with Biles and his team to talk through the details of the requested increase.

She said she had just recently received a legal opinion, regarding her budget request, from county attorney’s office.

Commissioner Mike Moore said the board takes its lead from the county attorney.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey agreed. But Starkey said the two sides should talk.

“I think it’s good to have a dialogue,” Starkey said.

She suggested it might be possible to fund the technology request with extra revenue coming in, due to  higher-than-anticipated growth in the county’s taxable values.

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick said a breakdown should be done to determine how much the new technology is used for board services and that the board should pay its fair share.

Alvarez-Sowles asked if she could meet with Biles and County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder to discuss the issue before the budget is finalized.

Oakley asked Biles to set up a meeting, which he agreed to do.

Biles said he had looked at the clerk’s numbers and noted there are some things the county would be more inclined to support, than others.

Published June 16, 2021

Florida Governor pens $101.5 billion budget in Zephyrhills

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It’s not very often the governor makes a public appearance in Zephyrhills, let alone to make a major statewide announcement.

But that’s what happened on June 2, when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appeared at Zephyrhills City Hall for a state budget-signing ceremony — penning into law a record-setting $101.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2021-2022.

City of Zephyrhills administrators and officials pose for a picture with Gov. Ron DeSantis outside of Zephyrhills City Hall. From left: Council President Alan Knight, City Attorney Matt Maggard, Councilman Ken Burgess, Mayor Gene Whitfield, DeSantis, Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson and City Manager Billy Poe. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The invite-only press conference drew several dozens of area residents, business owners and government officials, in a standing-room only affair.

“It’s great to be in Pasco County,” DeSantis said, opening his speech. “It’s great to be here.”

The Republican governor was accompanied by several members of the Republican-led state legislature, including Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R-Palm Harbor), state Rep. Randy Maggard (R-Dade City), state Rep. Ardian Zika (R-Land O’ Lakes), state Sen. Danny Burgess, (R-Zephyrhills), state Rep. Amber Mariano (R-Hudson), and state Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), among others.

As for dropping by the City of Pure Water, DeSantis acknowledged plans to stop somewhere in the Tampa Bay region for one of his multiple budget-signing ceremonies. He took input from Simpson and others for an ideal spot in Pasco — which figured to be Zephyrhills’ multimillion dollar statuesque municipal building built in 2018.

The trip from Tallahassee also coincided with particularly strong results for Zephyrhills and the greater East Pasco area, which combined to receive over $40 million in appropriations alone, including:

  • $25 million for new facilities at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Dade City Campus
  • $6.5 million for water and wastewater improvements on Handcart Road
  • $4.6 million for improvements to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center
  • $3 million for improvements to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport
  • $25 million for a new Florida National Guard armory somewhere in Zephyrhills

Altogether, DeSantis stated the county and region “did very well” in the latest budget, and therefore “should feel very proud.”

The governor observed Florida’s largest budget in history overall was made possible because the state reopened more rapidly compared to others across the United States, resulting in unexpected economic and revenue boosts amid the coronavirus crisis.

Governor lauds reopening state
“We made a decision,” DeSantis said, “as other states kept locking their citizens down, we lift people up in Florida.”

Aside from the $101.5 billion, the 2021-2022 budget leaves another $9.5 billion in reserves, for hurricane relief and other unforeseen circumstances.

Gov. Ron DeSantis makes the record-setting $101.5 billion state budget official, during a June 2 invite-only press conference at Zephyrhills City Hall.

It also implements a program designed to cut taxes by $169 million and includes the first seven-day freedom week sales tax holiday, a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday and a 10-day disaster preparedness sales tax holiday.

Meanwhile, DeSantis’ vetoes totaled $1.5 billion from this session. He labeled the cuts as mainly “back of the bill” items related to the state’s general and trust funds.

Relatedly, the governor pointed out Florida’s budget is less than half of New York State’s $212 billion mark, despite having “millions of fewer people than we do.”

He added: “We’re very prudent with how we spend our money.”

Throughout the 30-minute briefing, DeSantis hyped up the budget’s commitment to issues regarding education, environmental protection, and mental health.

Said DeSantis, “I think, all thing’s considered, you look at a lot of the major issues, and I think the legislature did a really good job to address all of the key issues, so I thank them for that.”

On the education front, there’s roughly $23 billion for the kindergarten through 12th grade system, plus $2 billion for early childhood education. The budget also includes $1,000 bonuses for teachers and principals in the state’s public and charter schools “because they had to work extra hard,” during the pandemic, DeSantis said.

About $2.5 billion is set to address mental health and substance abuse across all associated agencies. DeSantis specifically cited $137.6 million for community-based services for adults and children with behavioral health needs; $120 million for school-related mental health initiatives; and, $5.5 million for youth mental health awareness and assistance.

Noteworthy environmental-related response includes a $500 million stormwater infrastructure grant program — with another $100 million in recurring funds — where Florida cities and communities can apply as needed. There’s also $155 million for beach renourishment, “which is important when you have 1,300 miles of coastline,” DeSantis said.

Another notable budget item: $1,000 bonuses for roughly 175,000 first responders throughout Florida, including police, fire and other emergency medical personnel.

DeSantis underscored the challenges of such jobs throughout the pandemic, as reasoning for creating the bonus pool.

“We understood when COVID hit, there’s folks in white-collar jobs that could work from home, or remote, but the people in uniform have to show up every day.

“They can’t keep the streets safe on Zoom, you can’t put out a fire on Zoom, you’ve just gotta be there, and they were there from the very beginning, day in and day out,” he said.

The governor overall was bullish on the Sunshine State during his in-town visit, emphasizing the increasing number people who’ve relocated and vacationed here — be it related to climate and weather, property values, or fewer COVID-19 restrictions.

“We really served as kind of a respite for other citizens of our country in states that were chafing under these lockdowns,” he said. “I can tell you, I think there’s a lot of people in the last year, year-and-a-half, that have said, ‘Thank God I live in Florida.’”

Meantime, the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus released a joint statement on the day of the governor’s budget signing:

“Thanks to President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress passing the ‘American Rescue Plan,’ the governor can tout a state budget that helps Florida recover from the pandemic, allocating billions for the environment, public schools, and community health care.  A big chunk of the $10 billion from the federal stimulus act added to a bounty of transportation and economic development projects all over the state. The money even allowed the governor to dole out $1,000 bonuses to law enforcement, firefighters, and other frontline emergency workers,” the statement reads.

“Unfortunately, as he took his victory lap to hand out the bonuses, and brag about the many programs rescued as a result of the federal help, the governor never once directed thanks to those who made this possible. It was a crass example of freeloading off the hard work of others he doesn’t want to acknowledge because he doesn’t agree with their politics. Shame on the governor. When the president and congressional Democrats stepped up to the plate, there were no political litmus tests. There was only the question of how to help. And how to do so quickly.”

Published June 09, 2021

Twin scholars eager to embrace new challenges

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When Grace and Faith Quinn graduate from Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School on June 4, the twin scholars will be sharing the school’s top academic honor as co-valedictorians.

And, as they head off this summer, they’ll travel to Atchison, Kansas, to attend Benedictine College, each on a full tuition, four-year scholarship.

Faith Quinn, left, and her twin sister, Grace, are graduating as co-valedictorians from Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School. The young women from Wesley Chapel are eager to keep learning, as they head to Benedictine College, in Atchison, Kansas, on a four-year tuition scholarship this fall. (B.C. Manion)

It’s not a bit unusual for these 18-year-olds to travel the same path together.

After all, they’ve been doing it all of their lives.

Grace — who plans to double major in chemistry and computer science — is the older of the two, by 9 minutes.

Faith plans to double major, too. She’ll study chemistry and astronomy.

There’s no doubt these girls share a closeness that many twins enjoy, but perhaps they’ve developed an even deeper connection — as they’ve relied on each other, their brother Gabriel and their parents, through military family moves, from one place to another.

Throughout the frequent changes, the Quinns have had three constants: Family, church and school, the girls said, during a recent interview in their Wesley Chapel home.

Their parents are obviously supportive, and delighted by their daughters’ accomplishments.

Their dad, Pete Quinn, is perhaps their most vocal cheerleader; their mom, Kelly Quinn, while more subdued, is undoubtedly equally proud.

As their dad rattles off their accomplishments, the girls take turns, good-naturedly, rolling their eyes.

Still, the bragging rights are well-deserved.

Both girls were named National Merit Scholars, each receiving a $2,500 scholarship.

They each scored a perfect 36 on the ACT.

Their four-year tuition scholarship at Benedictine College carries a value of up to $132,000 for each of the girls, Pete Quinn said.

The twins started attending St. Anthony Catholic School, in San Antonio, in fifth grade, after the family moved to the area in 2014 from West Des Moines, Iowa.

During their middle school years, they earned straight As, played on three championship basketball teams, played on two championship volleyball teams, played tennis, and were members of the National Junior Honor Society, said their dad, a retired U.S. Army colonel.

The girls chose to attend Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, after exploring various options.

“When it came to the transition to high school, they really blossomed,” Pete Quinn said. “It (Bishop McLaughlin) was the perfect setting for them.”

The girls will graduate with a weighted GPA of 4.6, having completed 13 college-level courses.

“I anticipate them being able to come in (at Benedictine College) as first semester sophomores because of all the AP classes they’ve taken,” he said.

The girls didn’t have their heads in their books all of the time.

They also played four years of varsity basketball, achieved membership in nine honor societies, and have been involved in school plays, numerous clubs and yearbook.

Faith said her interest in astronomy began during her early years.

“I’ve always loved stars — just looking up at the night sky.

“Also, we have — it was just like a kid’s book about the constellations. It would give the myths behind them. I just loved that,” she said.

That prompted an interest in other books about stars and she now has about 15 of them, she said.

Benedictine College is the only Catholic college to offer a major in astronomy, she added.

Grace said she’s interested in pursuing computer science because : “I love the way that the logic in computers works.”

Plus, she said, “I love seeing and making connections. It’s what drew me to the sciences in the first place.”

There are lots of new opportunities, too, Pete Quinn said.

“The one career field that I recommended they give consideration to is an emerging field called astrochemistry. With all of the Space-X stuff going on … I can see those two both flourishing in slightly different roles,” Pete Quinn said.

Both parents see bright prospects for this next phase in their daughters’ lives.

“I’m so excited about where they’re going. I think Benedictine is the perfect college for them,” Pete Quinn said. “There’s no ceiling, there’s literally no ceiling, for what they can do.”

He also believes they’re ready.

“They’re very comfortable in their own skin. They really are. They’ve had each other, but they don’t have problems being by themselves,” he said.

Their mom added: “I’m excited for them. It’s a fun time of life. I remember my college days. It was neat to get out from under mom and dad, and just kind of do your own thing, find your own way and spread your wings.”

She’s confident Faith and Grace will do well.

“I think they’ve got good heads on their shoulders.

“It’s a bright world for them and I think they’ll do great things. Point them in the right direction and see how it goes,” Kelly Quinn said.

Published June 02, 2021

Growth pressures being felt on Old Pasco Road

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The Pasco County Commission voted last week to continue a hearing on a rezoning request by Victorious Life Assembly of God Inc., for a 122-unit subdivision off Old Pasco Road, 250 feet south of Overpass Road.

The application — which was accompanied by a request to deviate from some of the county’s land development code — received pushback from county board members.

Commissioner Mike Moore wants to know when Old Pasco Road will be widened. He’s concerned about the amount of new development happening along the two-lane road.

Commissioner Mike Moore made a motion to continue the hearing until June 8, after technical problems made it impossible for commissioners to understand what the applicant’s representatives were saying — as they attempted to participate remotely.

Moore said he didn’t understand why the developer’s representatives were not present at the meeting, since in-person appearances are no longer prohibited due to concerns about COVID-19.

“I think this item should be continued until we can have the applicant sitting right in front of us, so we can go back and forth and have a conversation, because right now, we can’t,” Moore said.

Moore’s remarks followed testimony by a woman who spoke on behalf of her son who lives near the proposed rezoning.

“I think we need to put the brakes on this project, at least until we get that red light and get the infrastructure done,” the speaker said.

She pointed to a new industrial park project that is being built near the proposed subdivision, plus the ongoing construction of a new interchange to Interstate 75, at Overpass Road.

Both projects are creating a significant amount of construction traffic, she said.

And, that’s on top of traffic created by Cypress Creek High School, Cypress Creek Middle School, she said. Plus, Pasco-Hernando State College now has a new Instructional Performing Arts Center on the road, she added.

Moore agreed that the two-lane Old Pasco Road is being overloaded.

He said he’s very familiar with the road because he has a child attending Cypress Creek Middle School and another child attending Cypress Creek High School.

“I drive it on a regular basis. The amount of school buses going on Old Pasco Road is incredible, and some of those areas with blind spots and the turns, with no shoulders,” he said.

“I have concerns.

“There’s a ton of development that’s currently going in on Old Pasco Road. There’s a lot of proposed development, along Old Pasco Road, as well,” Moore said.

“One of the things that we agreed upon when we did the industrial park is that that industrial park cannot receive its CO (certificate of occupancy) until that portion of Old Pasco (Road), that sits in front of the industrial park, is widened.

“Nobody’s given me a set date of when the rest of Old Pasco Road is widened,” Moore said.

“I think we need to research that road. I think staff needs to come back to us and say, ‘This is exactly when Old Pasco Road is going to be widened,” Moore said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano balked at the proposal for a park that is nine-tenths of an acre, versus the 1.2-acre park that’s required by code.

Planners supported the request, noting Wesley Chapel District Park is nearby, plus the developer agreed to dedicate a larger amount of land than required for right of way for the Old Pasco Road widening.

But Mariano said: “There’s no reason it can’t stick at 1.2, which is our code. Those kids need somewhere to play.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wanted to know why the plans fail to indicate any kind of future trail. She said that county planners must start including that, to provide for the possibility of people getting from place to place, without relying on vehicles.

County Administrator Dan Biles responded: “We’ll have to check, but I think Old Pasco Road probably has a multi-use path, as part of the design for Old Pasco Road and I think Overpass also has one.”

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley supported Moore’s suggestion to continue the hearing.

The delay will enable the board to receive information it needs on when Old Pasco Road will be widened, and to find out more about the possibility of trails in the area, Oakley said.

Published May 26, 2021

Will Zephyrhills golf course become home to armory?

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The future of the Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course is uncertain, as city leaders are considering sale of the property for possible use for a Florida Army National Guard Armory.

The 18-hole, par 68 course, at 39248 B Ave., sits on roughly 65 acres of prime real estate on the southwest quadrant of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course is designed to provide a public, low-cost alternative compared to other courses in the area. The 18-hole, par 68 course is known as a haven for snowbirds and beginners alike. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course)

It is regarded as a low-cost alternative compared to surrounding golf courses, where snowbirds and others flock to throughout the year.

Discussion about its future came up during the Zephyrhills City Council’s May 10 meeting when the council was set to consider a staff recommendation to approve a first amendment lease agreement between the city and Under Par Inc., to continue to serve as course management operators.

That contract includes running the pro shop and snack bar, and providing golf cart rentals and golf equipment.

But instead of considering that rather routine contract, council members tabled the issue for a future meeting and instead focused on breaking developments regarding the Florida Army National Guard’s interest in the property.

News that the organization had scouted the golf course and expressed interest in the property came about the same time the council’s meeting agenda was being prepared.

It all comes as state lawmakers recently approved allocating $25 million in appropriations to the National Guard, for a location in Zephyrhills.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Ken Burgess

With that in mind, council members Ken Burgess, Lance Smith and others figured it best to delay action at least a few weeks or months until more information can be gathered, given the present lease agreement doesn’t expire until April 2022.

“I know (Under Par) would like to have something done right now, but we do have a little bit of time,” Burgess said. “I don’t see a reason to approve it, and then six months from now say, ‘No, we’ve got to come back and do something different.’

Zephyrhills City Attorney Matthew Maggard said: “I don’t think it’s going to hurt anything to push it a couple of meetings.”

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe told council members he’s set to have ongoing discussions with National Guard representatives to discuss various site alternatives and parcels throughout the city.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe

“We’re looking,” he said. “Obviously, we want them in the Zephyrhills area, in the Zephyrhills city limits.”

Down the line, if the golf course lease agreement as written is ultimately approved and the National Guard (or other group) later presents a lucrative enough offer for the property, a renegotiated buyout would need to be arranged between the city and Under Par, Poe explained.

Under Par’s annual rent is upward of $60,500 per year, broken up into monthly installments, which provides a solid revenue generator for the city.

The new agreement would have extended the lease for an additional 15 years, until April 30, 2037, with an option for two additional five-year renewable periods.

Zephyrhills City Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson

Per the agreement, Under Par also would be required to invest $80,000 in total capital improvements over the 15-year extension. That could include clubhouse modifications, cart cage and parking lot enhancements.

The agreement also states the lessee’s total course acreage would need to be reduced by 0.65 acres due to construction of an airport access road from Alston Avenue, which slightly impacts one of the holes.

Even though consideration of Under Par’s lease extension has been delayed, Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson did question why monthly rent costs on the golf course property aren’t being increased from the original September 2002 agreement.

She also pondered the overall level of service and added value it provides compared to other courses in the area in terms of full-fledged youth programs, memberships and even whether there’s ADA-compliant restrooms.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Lance Smith

“Those are the kind of questions that I feel like we should have answers to before we launch into another long-term lease with these folks,” Wilkeson said.

Later in the meeting, Wilkeson said she likely would have voted against the lease agreement, as she didn’t feel her questions were satisfactorily answered by city staff or Under Par representatives.

The course was established in 1957, then opened in 1978, according to the course’s website.

Its longstanding history prompted council members to express feelings of nostalgia.

Burgess mentioned it was the first golf course he ever played on, when he was growing up.

“We could play there for 50 cents,” he quipped.

Smith recalled similar positive experiences about the course, and said he knows there are others who feel an attachment to it.

“It’s a great course, and there’s people that have been out there for years,” Smith said. “Every winter they come down and they have their buddies that they play with, and there’s a social aspect to it as well.”

At the same time, Smith observed: “Something I can say is the golf industry is not a growing industry at all. Matter of fact, it’s going the other way; you see golf courses closing.”

Jeff Sweet assists with operating the golf course for Under Par.

Sweet asserted the course’s benefits, explaining there’s upwards of 200 rounds played on some days in the wintertime. He also noted there’s about 50 seasonal memberships sold.

“People like it,” Sweet said. “It’s a shorter course, it’s not a five-hour round, it’s three-and-a-half hours, and that really fits in. It’s more of a beginner’s course, not as much trouble, so I think it really has a niche.”

Fellow Zephyrhills golf course manager Ayako Burkhart added that youth can play the course free when accompanied by an adult. “We like to teach the kids how to play outside and be good in sports,” she said.

Published May 19, 2021

Flurry of road projects underway in Pasco

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Drive along nearly any major Pasco County artery and you are likely to be backed up in traffic —  during rush hour.

At the same time, it’s obvious to motorists that work is underway on numerous Pasco roadways.

David Gwynn, District 7 secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation

Once those projects are completed, Pasco’s road network is expected to be better able to handle the county’s considerable growth.

Projects under construction, or that soon will be, are expected to improve traffic flow at State Road 56 and Interstate 75; offer smoother travel through East Pasco County on a new alignment for State Road 52; increase access to Interstate 75 with a new interchange at Overpass Road; and, add capacity at State Road 52 and U.S. 41.

Those projects were discussed a transportation briefing hosted by the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce via Zoom — featuring Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Thibault and Bilirakis touched on a number of big-picture issues involving transportation.

Thibault talked about the expectation of reduced gas tax revenues over time, as motorists make the switch to electric cars and vehicles with higher fuel efficiency.

Bilirakis talked about the proposed $2 trillion infrastructure package.

He said he doesn’t support the package.

He doesn’t think enough of the money is devoted to traditional projects, such as roads and bridges ,and said too much is directed toward the Green New Deal and human infrastructure projects.

The current proposal, he said, “is a non-starter for most Republicans.”

Thibault said Florida’s transportation solutions must address both existing and future needs.

“We currently have approximately 22 million residents and an additional 800 people a day that keep calling Florida home,” he said.

It’s no secret that Pasco’s growth is adding congestion to its roads.

Transportation improvements, on the other hand, take time to accomplish.

Thibault said it typically takes about nine years to get from concept to concrete —which involves everything from planning, to doing environmental studies, to acquiring right of way, to relocating utilities and so on.

Improvements, however, are designed to have staying power.

“When we begin the efforts on these projects, we usually design them on a 20-year horizon,” Thibault said.

Besides needing assessment and planning work, there’s also the issue of funding.

FDOT District 7 Secretary David Gwynn told those listening: “One of the reasons there are so many projects in Pasco County is because Pasco County has really been a great partner. We work directly with the county commissioners all of the time.

“On some of our projects, the county has actually stepped up and put some skin in the game,” said Gwynn, whose district includes five Tampa Bay area counties.

“The Overpass Road interchange — that’s primarily funded by the county,” Gwynn said.

“The great (State Road) 56 extension that opened just last year, the county stepped up, did a state Infrastructure Bank Loan to fund part of that project and also helped in acquiring a lot of the right of way from the large property owners along the corridor.

“When the county really partners with us, it really allows us to make our money go further, because we can go ahead and leverage some of the local money to match our money.

“The State Road 52 realignment, similarly, the county worked hand-in-hand with us with major developers along that route, to make sure right of way was being dedicated for the project,” Gwynn said.

Bilirakis said he has worked with Pasco County on the Ridge Road extension project.

“I was heavily involved in helping to secure the necessary permits for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow Phase 1 of the Ridge Road expansion. It took a lot of years, but we all worked together and we persevered,” he said.

Now, Bilirakis, who represents Florida’s 12th congressional district, said he’s advocating for $15 million in federal funding to help pay for the second phase of the extension.

He realizes it won’t cover the entire cost, but he noted: “It would be a good start.”

The Ridge Road extension is a public safety project that provides an emergency route for residents in West Pasco and North Pinellas counties, Bilirakis said.

At the same time, it helps to reduce traffic congestion by providing another east-west route through Pasco County, the congressman said.

Note: See additional round-up of road projects here.

Published May 12, 2021

One-of-a-kind subdivision in Pasco?

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has continued until May 20 its consideration of a proposal to create a subdivision for catastrophically injured veterans, and surviving families of fallen first responders and to Gold Star families.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is seeking permission to build 115 homes on 74 acres, on the south side of Parkway Boulevard, about one-half mile east of Ehren Cutoff, in Land O’ Lakes.

The site is between the Panther Run and Dupree Lakes subdivisions.

Matt Mahoney, executive vice president of the foundation, explained the concept of the project — via a remote feed — during the planning board’s April 22 meeting.

“Our recipients are all gifted these homes. These are mortgage-free homes,” Mahoney said.

The homes will go to catastrophically injured veterans — who are missing multiple appendages or have been severely burned, he said. Homes also will be provided for surviving spouses and families of Fallen First Responders and Gold Star families.

“We have the financial wherewithal to do this. The land was donated to us,” Mahoney said. “We’re in a strong financial situation to move forward with this project.”

The foundation was established 20 years ago by Frank Siller, to honor the sacrifice of his brother, Stephen Siller, a firefighter who laid down his life to save others on Sept. 11, 2001.

“While the foundation’s previous efforts were focused on individual homes and paying off existing mortgages in various places, this is the first of the foundation’s projects to develop an entire neighborhood devoted exclusively for injured veterans and surviving spouses,” said Cyndi Tarapani, who represented the applicant.

Access to the neighborhood will be from two entrances on Parkway Boulevard. The foundation will build a northbound, left-turn lane into the project at the main entrance, Tarapani said.

The subdivision will have two lot sizes, 100-foot wide lots for single-story homes that are specifically tailored to meet the need of injured veterans, and 60-foot wide lots for two-story homes, intended for widows and their young children.

The neighborhood will have a community center and play area, and has large areas of wetlands that will be preserved, she said.

And, while the code doesn’t require it, the foundation will install a 6-foot solid fence along the common borders of our neighborhoods, Tarapani said.

The proposed project is consistent with the site’s long-range plan’s designation, which allows up to three dwellings per acre, she said.

The proposed development would have an average of 1.54 units per acre. That compares to its neighbors: Panther Run has an overall density of 1.47 units per acre and Dupree Lakes has an overall density of 1.46 units per acre, Tarapani said.

The site also is conveniently located close to Pine View Elementary and Pine View Middle schools, and is near U.S. 41 and State Road 54, she said.

Neighbors to the proposed development applaud the foundation’s mission, but raised concerns about the proposed plans.

Several expressed sentiments similar to Tim Robinson, of 6444 Paw Place, in Panther Run.

“This is a zoning issue with us. It’s not a complaint against the organization or the work that it does.

“Dupree Lakes is similar; Panther Run, is not,” he said.

“Dupree Lakes has lot sizes that would be comparable to what the applicant is proposing.

“However, Panther Run could not be more different.”

“The proposed project would back into a portion of a neighborhood that has half-acre and larger lots,” Robinson said. “It doesn’t seem to fit in with the area and it changes the entire dynamic.”

Neighbors also voiced worries about the impact to wildlife that frequents the area. They also raised concerns about increased traffic and potential flooding.

Area resident Lee Edwards said that because the proposed development site has substantial wetlands, “those houses are going to be shoved up on top of one another — and it’s going to look like it.”

Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein reminded the planning board that since the rezoning request is for what’s called a Euclidean zoning district, the planning board would not be able to attach any conditions to the rezoning.

For instance, once the zoning is approved, there is nothing to prevent the foundation from selling the land to another developer.

The planning board, however, can request the applicant to agree to voluntary deed restrictions, Goldstein said.

Planning Commission Charles Grey expressed concerns about the potential for the land — once rezoned — to be sold to another developer.

Planning Commissioner Jaime Girardi wants the applicant to reduce the number of homes backing up to Panther Run.

“From my perspective, from what I’ve heard today, the biggest concern seems to be the compatibility between the user to the west, in Panther Run, and the lots in this proposed development adjacent to them.

“Frankly, that the only problem I have with this whole proposal.

“I commend what’s being proposed here, in general.

“To have a 60-foot lot next to half-acre lot, I tend to struggle with the compatibility factor,” Girardi said.

Planning Commissioner Chris Williams agreed: “I’d like to see some bigger lots just right there.”

Grey told Tarapani, “As much as the board seems to like this concept and like this idea and wants to make it happen, I think, if you’re unwilling to bend on a couple of these issues, I think we only have one alternative and that’s to deny it.”

The board wants a commitment that the land won’t be sold and wants some larger lots bordering the Panther Run neighborhood, Grey said.

“I think those are two deal-breakers. I’m just reading the board here,” Grey said.

Tarapani requested a delay until the board’s May 6 meeting, to see how the applicant can address those issues.

Published May 05, 2021

Divided Pasco board rejects gas station request

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Although they couldn’t actually be in the Pasco County Commission’s chambers — due to COVID-19 protocols — opponents to a proposed gas station near the Sierra Pines and Meadowbrook Estates neighborhood in Lutz erupted in shouts of jubilation when the request was denied.

The residents were so happy, their reaction could be heard in the board’s chamber — via a televised board hearing — even though the crowd was in an outer room.

Commissioners were divided on the request to change the county’s long-range plan designation on a 1.67-acre site at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Drive.

Currently, the land is designated for residential use; the new designation would have allowed a litany of commercial uses.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano supported the proposed change; Commission Chairman Ron Oakley, and members Mike Moore and Christina Fitzpatrick rejected it.

The land is owned by Kiddie Campus University Inc., under contract to sell it to a gas station and convenience store developer. Attorney Barbara Wilhite represented the applicant.

Residents of Sierra Pines and Meadowbrook Estates were persistent in their opposition.

They were represented by Todd Pressman, an independent planning consultant and attorney Luke Lirot. Their presentation included an analysis of the request by Patricia Ortiz, a professional planner.

Neighbor after neighbor also weighed in, raising issues, including the potential environmental hazards that the gas station could pose to residents who rely on private wells for their drinking water, for bathing and for irrigation.

They also contended that the neighborhood’s narrow road is not conducive to big trucks pulling and out.

Perhaps their biggest objection was having a gas station so close to existing residences.

They cited concerns about the 24/7 nature of a convenience store. They showed a simulated photo of signage used by a convenience store, super-imposed on the edge of the existing neighborhood.

They expressed concerns about the big trucks that service the convenience store making turns into or out of their neighborhood — noting the narrow two-lane road can’t support that kind of traffic.

While one of the lots fronts State Road 54, the other lot is directly adjacent to one residential lot and across the street from another one.

The request had received recommendations for approval from the county’s staff, as well as the Pasco County Planning Commission.

Wilhite told commissioners that the site is not appropriate for residential development and that it meets the criteria in the county’s comprehensive plan for a commercial designation.

Both Wilhite and planners said the proposed designation also would require sensitive site design and buffering requirements.

Starkey said the site is more appropriate for commercial use, than for residential.

She made a motion to “let it (land-use designation) become commercial, and let the zoning of this determine the use.”

She called for approving the staff’s recommendation, which was seconded by Mariano.

“Let all of these issues be hashed out in the zoning,” Starkey said.

Moore, however, said he couldn’t support having a gas station so close to neighboring residential development.

Starkey’s motion failed, with two in favor and three opposed.

The board’s April 20 vote came after a previous hearing that had been continued, with commissioners directing representatives from both sides to meet and see if they could come up with a compromise.

Neighbors said they are not opposed to a less-intense use, such as a professional office, but that option was never proposed.

This wasn’t the first time that Kiddie Campus Inc., sought permission to use the property for a different use.

Kiddie Campus’ two previous efforts to gain a special exception to allow a day care at the site also were denied.

Published April 28, 2021

Here’s an easy way to launch a book club, for free

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Maybe you’ve been interested in starting a book club, but didn’t know how.

Or, maybe it’s been a desire — but seemed to be too expensive.

Maybe you like the idea, but can’t decide what books to read.

Or, perhaps you already have a book club, but could benefit from a single source of books that you can borrow, instead of buying.

Book club readers have plenty of choices, with more than 200 titles to choose from for book club kits available to borrow from the Pasco County Library System. (Courtesy of Marie Gibson, Hudson Regional Library)

If any of those situations applies to you, you’re in luck. The Pasco County Library System has Book Club Kits designed to make it easy for people to run their own book clubs.

The Pasco County Library System has been operating book clubs at some of its branches for years and also works with community book clubs, said Angelo Liranzo, regional branch manager for the Hugh Embry Branch Library, in Dade City.

He explained how the system’s relatively new book club kit service works.

Patrons simply put in a request for a book club kit and use their library card to check it out, Liranzo said. Each kit has up to 15 books.

There are roughly 200 titles for book clubs to choose from — in all sorts of genres, and the kit can be checked out for eight weeks at a time.

The lengthy checkout period allows time to pick up the kit, distribute the books to club members, read the books, discuss them and return the kit back to the library.

Getting the kits is easy, too. A patron simply places an order and the kit is delivered to his or her  branch library — typically within three days.

The program was launched in June, during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But, the idea for the program hatched earlier.

He credited library system staffers Kathleen Rothstein and Catherine Seavey for being instrumental in getting the program rolling.

The library system’s branch-led book clubs typically are curated by the librarians at the various branches, Liranzo explained. The library system also is aware of about 20 community-led book clubs, he said.

Get lost in a book, then talk about it with friends — using one of the Pasco County Library System’s Book Club Kits. (Courtesy of Angelo Liranzo, Hugh Embry Branch Library)

The kits are assembled in bags, which some librarians, who are now retired, had ordered to use with the internal book clubs managed by the library system.

“They put the books in the bags and then they would send the bags around to the branches,” Liranzo said.

Discussions began internally, among the library system’s staff: “How can we get our book club kits into the hands of these book clubs? It would make it so much easier and organized, for them and for us,” Liranzo explained.

There’s no shortage of enthusiasm for book clubs, Liranzo said.

Some clubs like to stick with fiction. Others mix things up.

Some are into mysteries — but nothing too gory, please.

Book clubs have different personalities, too.

In some clubs, the attitude is: “Let’s sit down and talk about the book and not get distracted because we only have so much time,” he said.

Some clubs offer cupcakes and cookies.

There’s even one club that was meeting in a brewery, before the pandemic hit.

“I don’t think the people who go to the brewery necessarily get a beer. A lot of them are actually teetotalers They just get some iced tea,” he said.

In some places, the book clubs are seasonal.

“We have a heavy season and a lighter season,” Liranzo said. “Sometimes the winter brings some snowbirds, so the ones who go away for the summer, sometimes their book clubs go on hiatus.”

The book clubs can be energizing, as members share their thoughts.

And, they can be social, too, with people chatting before their session begins, and going out for some lunch, afterwards.

Even though the program began during the pandemic, Book Club Kits will continue to be offered, even after libraries open up again.

“This is now going to be a permanent service that we will have,” Liranzo said.

The program is well-stocked.

“Only about a third (of the kits) are in use at one time right now,” he said.

People who want to learn more about checking out a kit can call their local library branch for more information.

Or, they can visit PascoLibraries.org for details and to order a kit.

Published April 21, 2021

Local stakeholders seek solutions to opioid crisis

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Much national and international focus the past year has centered on the COVID-19 pandemic, yet there remains another ongoing crisis that hits close to home — the opioid epidemic.

Local stakeholders addressed the issue at length last month during a virtual town hall organized by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Addiction Prevention (ASAP) — a coalition made up of community members and committee partners collaborating to fight drug misuse in the area.

The March 2 event titled, “Virtual Opioid Town Hall: Use Only As Directed,” featured an in-depth panel discussion with perspectives from recovering addicts, medical professionals, lawmakers, law enforcement, educators and others.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and many others. (Courtesy of Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention)

Among the takeaways from the 90-minute Zoom meeting — more efforts are needed to resolve the opioid issue nationwide, and in Pasco, as a result of damage done over the years plus the confluence of coronavirus and mental health issues.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and many others.

New Port Richey-based attorney Jim Magazine has witnessed the problem up close, as part of a national consortium of opioid litigators handling lawsuits on behalf of cities, counties and states against drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies.

The Law Offices of Lucas & Magazine managing partner warned the addiction crisis seems to have worsened since COVID-19 touched down: “With the rise of the coronavirus, the opioid epidemic, at least from my perspective, has gone up exponentially. With people staying at home depressed, and the cocktails between opioids and benzodiazepine, people are OD’ing at an alarming rate that I see.”

He also cautioned the next frontier of opioid issues could arise with the introduction of prescription fentanyl transdermal skin patches, designed to alleviate severe pain around the clock.

“I think that fentanyl patches are becoming a norm,” Magazine said, adding the federal government needs to address that issue.

“I mean, they’re now being prescribed and I’m seeing overdose cases on a regular basis for people that have fibromyalgia,” he said. “There’s nothing in the world that would indicate that a drug 100 times stronger than morphine should be prescribed to an individual that has nonspecific muscle pain. But that’s happening all over the country and nothing’s happening about it, and people are dying every single day.”

Magazine went on to detail how the opioid crisis got out of hand over the years, especially locally. He singled out a standalone national chain pharmacy in New Port Richey once distributed 2.3 million oxycontin pills in 2010 “without any oversight, whatsoever.”

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor similarly underscored the gravity of the opioid crisis, during the virtual event.

“Sadly we have seen a huge spike in overdoses throughout the nation in recent years, and it is an epidemic,” said Bilirakis, who represents the 12th congressional district in Florida. “The strain of the pandemic also has exacerbated throughout the pandemic, particularly with the mental health crisis, and its’s not going to go away anytime soon. We’ve got to do everything we can.”

In the way of solutions, Bilirakis acknowledged “there’s so much more to do,” even following some $6 billion in federal spending earmarked for opioid addiction and mental health programs as part of the 2018 Omnibus bill, geared to advance treatment and recovery initiatives, improve prevention programs, and bolster efforts to fight the importation of illicit synthetic drugs.

“It’s going to take a lot,” Bilirakis said of fixing the opioid crisis. “Just one piece of legislation is not going to fix it.”

But, Bilirakis mentioned at least one step in the right direction is the implementation of national standards and rating systems for sober living home operations — plus increasing their accessibility overall. He explained “a big problem” of South Florida area treatment centers offering referral kickbacks, for instance.

“We have to have accountability,” the congressman said. “These residential treatment centers, people need to know, they need to be rated, because nobody really knows. You get first-hand, second-hand recommendations, and you spend thousands and thousands of dollars, and that’s another issue. …But you want to make sure it’s a good treatment center, so I’m going to continue to work on that.”

As another example of the far-reaching nature of the opioid problem, Bilirakis pointed out how it impacts any and all types of families and backgrounds, whether rich, poor or middle class. “It doesn’t discriminate,” he said. “It affects most families and we have to do everything we can.”

Pasco County Alliance Substance Addiction Prevention, or ASAP, is a coalition made up of community members and committee partners collaborating to fight drug misuse in the area. The organization last month hosted a virtual town hall on the opioid epidemic, titled, ‘Virtual Opioid Town Hall: Use Only As Directed.’

Gulf High School student Maddie Horn is a member of Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND).

She personally understands how substance abuse and opioid addiction impacts families.

The Pasco ASAP Volunteer of the Year “grew up without a father because he chose drugs over my brother and I,” she said.

Horn simultaneously has witnessed her great-aunt abuse prescribed pain medication, be it taking multiple doses at once or not waiting the proper length of time between doses.

“It doesn’t just affect you, it affects the people around you,” said Horn. “You’re not only affecting yourself now, but you’re affecting yourself years down the road. I just don’t want that to happen to my cousins or anybody else in my family, so that’s why I’m so passionate (about drug prevention).”

When queried about drug and addiction trends in local schools, Horn stated vaping and marijuana are “a very big issue right now.”

“I see a lot of times that our bathrooms are closed, because that’s where students tend to go when they do (drugs) at school,” she said. “I’ve had friends I’ve had to stop talking to (because of drugs).”

Recovering addicts share experiences
The discussion also featured perspectives of individuals actively undergoing drug recovery, including Madeira Beach’s Nicole Harris.

Harris has battled opiate addiction off and on for about 13 years.

Some of her issues stem from being prescribed a host of pain pills when she was 24 years old, despite having a clear MRI showing no major issues.

A wakeup call came in January 2020 when she was admitted to the hospital with endocarditis — a severe blood infection related to prior IV drug use — which also claimed the life of her husband.

While hospitalized, Harris linked up with a social worker through the BayCare health system. She was steered to programs like 12-step addiction recovery and peer support groups. “I knew I had to change everything,” Harris said.

And, her life has changed for the better since entering treatment 14 months ago.

Harris has a driver’s license, is eligible for rent assistance, and her newfound peer groups all but provide “a family that I’ve never had before,” she said.

Meanwhile, through the 12-step program, Harris acquired life skills and discovered more about her inner self and feelings. “So many people go through issues and it just really showed me how to deal with all that, things I’ve been carrying forever that had nothing to do with me,” she said.

Harris otherwise expressed confidence with myriad recovery opportunities, noting it simply takes some encouragement and willpower to get the help needed to fight addiction. In other words, barriers to treatment aren’t as weighty as many might think.

“All the barriers I experienced were self-built. I could come up with a reason or an excuse for everything,” Harris said. “Once I fully surrendered to the program and to my addiction, I just started taking suggestions and life got a lot better.”

New Port Richey resident Cherrice Peters-Tanksley was similarly long reluctant to seek treatment amid feelings of shame, embarrassment and fear of being judged.

The mother of four boys has faced opioid addiction for 30 years after all, starting with using heroin at just 11 years old.

But, Peters-Tanksley now has been in recovery for almost a year, thanks to BayCare treatment programs, plus faith-based ministry outreach.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor was one of several panelists during a virtual town hall meeting to discuss the nation’s opioid crisis. (File)

She’s simultaneously picked up her life — working in a hospital with plans to study human and culture services, “so it is possible to live a good life with recovery,” she said.

Peters-Tanksley, too, strongly asserted “there’s no excuse” for other addicts not to seek much-needed help.

“There’s nothing that stops us from doing what we have to do but us,” Peters-Tanksley said. “The same way we were in those streets getting what (drugs) we needed to get, we’re going to do whatever’s necessary to get the help that we need to get. I was my own barrier to get the resources from BayCare, but once I saw I could trust people and talk to people, it was a no-judgment zone, then there were no barriers to be created, because I would do whatever was necessary for me to get treatment I needed to get.”

She added: “I just want everybody to be encouraged, to know that it can be done, because I come from such a heavy background.”

Harris and Peters-Tanksley also shared stories of medical professionals overprescribing pain medications.

Harris recalled being given upwards of 450 pills a month, ranging from Oxycontin to Xanax and others. “The overprescribing is crazy,” she said. “I feel like they get money or something from these manufacturers for writing these medications…”

Peters-Tanksley added she could get 300 Dilaudid and 300 Xanax at a clip by a doctor. She, too admitted to doctor shopping and previously selling excess pills on the side.

“I just want the doctors to know people don’t need all that medication,” she said. “There’s no way in the world I needed all that. Nobody is in that much pain. You’re basically overdosing slowly.”

Local agencies making strides
Locally, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and BayCare Behavioral Health have taken charge together to combat the opioid crisis in the community, through a partnership with the law enforcement agency’s innovative Behavioral Health Intervention Team (BHIT).

The specialized unit formed in September 2019 and is comprised of 12 detectives, an intelligence analyst, two supervisors and chain of command, plus a network of co-responding BayCare social workers.

BHIT members like Det. Michael Sudler assist vulnerable residents facing mental health and substance use disorders, which are oftentimes co-occurring, officials say.

Sudler, along with a social worker, continually strives to build a rapport and continued relationship with troubled individuals and families within 24 to 48 hours of an overdose incident.

Sudler and others make regular wellness visitations, distributing Narcan kits, providing opioid-related education, and referring them to community resources and outreach opportunities like area detox and rehab centers; programming is made possible through grants and partnerships with the Florida Department of Health.

“A lot of the times, these individuals don’t have people in their own lives who are motivating or encouraging or even referring them to resources in the community where they could get help,” Sudler explained during the town hall. “I find that I’ve been the most successful…by trying to be a friend to these individuals and continually reminding them that options are out there and empowering them to take advantage of them on their own.”

Sudler acknowledged there does remain “the cop” stigma when he encounters individuals through the BHIT program, likely due to previous unpleasant law enforcement encounters.

So for him and other detectives, having a social worker present for these door-to-door interactions helps “legitimize my role and efforts to encourage someone’s continued engagement in services.” The presence, too, “changes the tone and feeling” of the conversation, Sudler said, “to help people understand that it’s not a typical law enforcement interaction and it’s not going to result in a mugshot.”

Published April 14, 2021