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The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

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Pet Lane

Tax Collector’s branch office making temporary move

July 12, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The current office of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s on Pet Lane in Lutz has temporarily relocated for renovations.

The move took effect on July 11.

The tax collector’s office will be operating temporarily at 4614 Pet Lane, Suite 109, in Lutz — just one building away from its normal location.

The improvements being done are intended to allow the office to better serve the community, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

Additional service windows and more seating in the lobby area will make the office more comfortable for our customers.

“We are excited to be able to undertake these changes to our Wesley Chapel office,” Tax Collector Mike Fasano, said in the release. “Our goal as an organization is to make a visit to our office as easy and as simple as possible. With the changes we will be making that goal will be possible each time our customers enter our office. Our temporary location will literally be in the building next door to our current location. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.”

The remodeling is expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

During this time, the office will continue to offer most services that it has been offering at that location, with the exception of concealed weapons permits and all written testing.

Those services will be offered at other tax collector office locations in the county.

For more information, call 352-521-4338, 727-847-8032 or 813-235-6076.

Published July 13, 2022

Renovations will limit tax collector operations

August 3, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Renovations at the Dade City Tax Collector’s Office at the East Pasco Government Center in Dade City will temporarily affect the office’s operations, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

The office will be offering limited services from Aug. 4 through Sept. 30, according to the release.

The renovations are being made to improve customer services.

During the work, the office will continue to provide automobile/ boat registrations and renewals, all title work (Florida title and out-of-state titles transferring to Florida), hunting and fishing licenses, property tax, business tax, and dealer drop-off and pick-up work.

The office will not be handling concealed weapons permit applications or driver license services, including road testing. Those services will be provided at the office located at 4610 Pet Lane in Lutz (referred to by the tax collector’s office as its Wesley Chapel location).

To find out more about services available at the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office, locations, hours of operation and other information, visit PascoTaxes.com, or contact the centralized call center at 727-847-8032, 813-235-6076 or 352-521-4338.

Published August 04, 2021

Officials praise Pasco’s progress

June 29, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano has personally witnessed how the area where he grew up and now governs has evolved over the past several decades.

Case in point: When Fasano moved with his family to the Holiday area some 50 years ago as a 12-year-old boy, he recalls seeing signage advertising homes selling for just $6,999.

That’s quite the far cry from today, with billboards promoting $300,000 to $500,000 residences along State Road 52 and 54.

“It’s just absolutely amazing where we’ve come over time,” said Fasano, speaking during an East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting earlier this month, at IHOP in Dade City.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, left, stands alongside East Pasco Networking Group chairman Nils Lenz. Fasano was the featured guest speaker during a group breakfast meeting earlier this month, at IHOP in Dade City. (Diane Kortus)

The area’s reputation also is changing, Fasano said.

“Pasco has changed over time, not only politically, but also as far as the businesses in Pasco County.

“We’re no longer the stepchild to Pinellas and Hillsborough (counties), if you will. We’re now looked at as a leading community, and you can see it, especially in the Wesley chapel area, the Land O’ Lakes area,” he said.

The emerging growth in Pasco and surrounding Tampa Bay area is being felt at the local tax collector’s office, too.

Fasano said the agency sees roughly 60,000 in-person customers per week across its five branch offices — in Dade City, Gulf Harbors, Land O’ Lakes, New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel — not including additional services handled via phone, mail or website.

This is up from around 40,000 customers per week at only four branches when Fasano first was appointed to the role in 2013 by then Florida Gov. Rick Scott, and following 18 years served as a legislator in the Florida House and Senate.

Anticipating a forthcoming population boost, the agency swiftly opened a new branch back in August 2014, in Compark 75 at 4610 Pet Lane, just off Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

When it first opened, the office in southeast Pasco was serving just 50 customers per day, Fasano said.

It’s now averaging anywhere from 600 to 800 customers daily, and is the tax collector’s second-busiest office, he said.

With that, the agency also is considering opening up yet another office somewhere along State Road 54 or State Road 52 near the Suncoast Parkway “because that area is growing,” said Fasano.

“All you need to do is drive up, especially (State Road) 54, it’s luxury apartment complex after luxury apartment complex — a lot of them are younger families needing services, driver’s licenses, (because) they’re moving in from out of state,” he explained.

Busy offices are not just a byproduct of the county’s residential and business growth, however.

Some partly is due to word spreading that the Pasco Tax Collector doesn’t require appointments for service (except for road tests) and also welcomes out-of-county residents from surrounding Hernando, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Helping non-Pasco residents mitigates financial losses the agency takes on handling motor vehicle-related services, Fasano said, noting it’s Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that takes in most of those fees, and not the county.

The blanket, come-all service is something Fasano takes pride in — noting tax collectors in adjacent counties oftentimes require appointments two or three weeks in advance, while only serving their respective county residents.

“We welcome everyone,” Fasano said, proudly. “We have people that come up from Hillsborough County, pleading us, ‘Please don’t change it, please don’t change it,’ because they come up there, and wait maybe 30 minutes, 40 minutes or 45 minutes, and they’re able to get the service. It’s either wait 35 or 45 minutes, or you wait three weeks with Hillsborough County to get an appointment.”

Conversely, Fasano pointed out even the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office (and its eight branches) appreciates Pasco shouldering the workload.

“Hillsborough County loves us,” Fasano said.

“They’re happy that we’re taking their customers because it’s less people that have to make these appointments and yell at them down there.

“They, in fact, say to people, ‘Hey look, if you need something done right now, go up to Pasco.’”

The Pasco Tax Collector is open all five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., while 4 p.m. onward is reserved for Pasco residents only.

Pasco residents also can get service on Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the branches in Gulf Harbors and near Wesley Chapel.

“We wanted to make sure that Pasco residents have a day to themselves and that’s what happens on Saturday, and I will tell you that Pasco residents love it,” Fasano said.

He added: “I’ve got to make certain that we take care of our Pasco residents. They’re the ones that pay our salary, my salary, and the rest of our employees.”

The Pasco Tax Collector is mandated for a number of responsibilities, including providing driver licenses, auto registrations, property taxes, hunting and fishing permits, concealed weapons permits, birth certificates, fingerprints, vehicle identification checks, business receipt taxes and other services.

Fasano said the agency recently has witnessed an “an enormous amount” of title transfer on cars and boats, speculating it could be a result of stimulus dollars and returns on income taxes coming through.

The Gulf Harbors office recently handled over 800 boat titles in just one business day, he said.

“My staff tell me, after seeing all this title work on boats, they wonder if there’s boats out there to buy anymore, you know,” Fasano quipped.

Issuing concealed weapons permits also is bourgeoning, with Fasano pointing out the county leads in the state in terms of providing or renewing such permits: “It’s way ahead of every other county,” he said.

He then joked, “I think our office has armed everyone in Pasco.”

Prioritizing tax collector employees
One of Fasano’s more notable undertakings has been increasing wages and promotional opportunities for its some 200-plus employees at the tax collector’s office.

Starting salary was around $9 per hour when Fasano first arrived to the constitutional post.

“We had employees who were employed at our tax collector office for over 10 years collecting food stamps. Unacceptable. We changed that immediately,” he said.

Now the starting wage for an entry-level customer service representative is $16 per hour.

“Our employees are making a decent salary where they don’t have to reach out, and probably not need a second job any longer,” he said.

“I’ve had employees come to us and say they are now buying homes,” he added.

Fasano underscored the necessity to increase wages — to keep governmental effectiveness, reduce office turnover and otherwise “to let our employees know that they are important, that they are the key to keeping our county going.”

He observed, “Let’s remember this, we collect the taxes, and we provide those dollars to our board of county commissioners, to our school board, to mosquito control, to water district, to CDDs (community developmental districts), to paying those at the county collecting the street lights services and the road assessments, and the list goes on.

“If we’re not around, nobody can collect those dollars, so we needed to stay open to make certain that people were able to pay their taxes, and we could collect them and turn those dollars over to the taxing entities, and we’ve been successful in doing that.”

Meanwhile, Pasco County Chief Deputy Tax Collector Tim Couet has developed a leadership program where lower-level employees within the organization are identified by branch managers and directors for training for future advancement opportunities.

“We have made it a goal that when a new position of leadership opens up, we do not go outside our offices to hire someone,” Fasano said.

“If I have to go outside to Ohio or New York or wherever to hire somebody for a management position, for a director’s position, or for a supervisory position, I haven’t done my job.

“Two-hundred nine (employees), there has to be someone in there that’s qualified to take that job, and we’ve been successful over the past seven years. We’ve made it our policy that we will hire within.”

Published June 30, 2021

Local company is expanding with 100,000-square-foot building

May 4, 2021 By B.C. Manion

A new 100,000-square-foot building, representing an $8 million investment in Pasco County, is being built in Compark 75 — just off Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The expansion was celebrated in an April 9 groundbreaking ceremony, with Jerry Flatt, CEO of The Soule Co., offering remarks about the company’s expansion. He also expressed appreciation for the role that the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., the Pasco County Commission and Pasco County government have played in helping the company to thrive and grow.

Pasco County Commissioners Mike Moore and Kathryn Starkey joined representatives from the Pasco County Economic Development Council Inc., Pasco County government and The Soule Co., to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony last month. A new 100,000-square-foot building is being constructed by The Soule Co. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.)

The company — which manufactures packaging materials and also medical foam cushioning — is located at 4322 Pet Lane, in Lutz. That facility will continue operations and will be joined by the new 100,000-square-foot building that is being constructed nearby.

The Soule Co., has two divisions: One fabricates packaging products made to customer specifications; the other fabricates disposable foam positioning products for the medical community.

The professional packaging division distributes a full line of packaging and shipping supplies, including corrugated boxes, poly bags, strapping, stretch films, and tapes, among others.

The medical division works closely with medical entities to design, develop, manufacture and distribute products that assist in patient care, recovery and healing.

The Pasco County Commission approved an economic incentive package worth $177,172 in August 2020, to support the company’s plans.

The incentive package includes $50,000 for creating 25 new jobs; a five-year reimbursement of tangible taxes, which totals $107,171; and, an employee training grant of $20,000 for Pasco-based employees.

The project is expected to generate $4.69 million annually in gross county product, county officials have estimated.

Flatt gave the crowd a brief overview of the company’s history, during the groundbreaking celebration that was recorded and can be viewed on the Pasco EDC’s Facebook Page.

This is what the new 100,000-square-foot building, now under construction by The Soule Co., will look like at completion. The company expects to add at least 25 new jobs.

When the company was established in 1957, it originally produced insulation and decorative foam, such as the type used by florists, the company executive said.

Shortly before 1980, Soule shifted to the packaging industry, he said.

“Then, in about 1986, we began our medical division, and right now, the packaging division and the medical division are working under the same roof, at the facility that’s right around the corner here on Pet Lane,” Flatt said.

He told those gathered at the ceremony: “It’s an exciting time for Soule company, with the expansion of our operation.”

The foam products produced by the company’s medical division is used to position patients and keep them safe during surgeries, he said.

“That part of our business is growing very rapidly,” he said, adding that’s because “we’re able to sell that product all over the country.”

He continued: “We typically have agreements with group purchasing organizations and under those organizations, they have a great number of hospitals. They do the purchasing and get the best deals for those hospitals.

“So that’s where the expansion is needed right now,” Flatt said.

The company has many agreements in place, but needs to hold back on them a little while, until it is able to take on the additional business.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said he’s pleased to see additional jobs being created in Pasco.

County leaders want to create employment opportunities locally, so workers won’t have to leave their communities to drive for work in Hillsborough or Pinellas counties, Moore said.

Mike Bishop, director of stakeholder engagement for Pasco EDC, said “the expansion work with the Soule company is one of the most important things that we do at the EDC.”

The economic development agency seeks to help companies get started, become established and expand, Bishop said.

Published May 05, 2021

Compark 75 sold to Atlanta investors

January 10, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Compark 75, a Class A industrial park off Wesley Chapel Boulevard, is under new ownership, according to a news release from Cushman & Wakefield.

Rick Brugge, executive director of Cushman & Wakefield

The real estate services company negotiated the sale of five buildings at the park to MDH Atlantic Acquisitions LLC. The Atlanta-based real estate investment company has more than 11 million square feet of properties in the southeastern United States.

Rick Brugge, executive director of Cushman & Wakefield; Mike Davis, vice chairman; and Michael Lerner, executive director, negotiated the sale as part of Cushman & Wakefield’s Capital Markets team. They represented HR Pasco LLP, and closed the deal in November.

The sales price was not made available.

According to the news release, Compark 75 is the only Class A facility currently serving the northeast Tampa Bay area, including north Hillsborough and south Pasco counties.

“It tends to attract very good leases and a high quality of tenants,” said Brugge, president of Cushman & Wakefield.

Compark 75 has about 286,000 square feet in five small-bay, light industrial buildings.  The buildings are about 91 percent occupied, with about 26,000 square feet available for lease.

The space could be suitable for two to three new tenants, said Brugge.

Current tenants include the Pasco County Tax Collector, U.S. General Services Administration, Ortho Technology, Morgan Auto Group and Streetside Classics.

The 165-acre site is zoned industrial, and is suitable for warehouse, manufacturing and office uses. About 105 acres is a wetlands and conservation area.

The five buildings were built between 2007 and 2016, using “tilt-wall” construction, where concrete panels are poured on site and later tilted into place. Suites range from 3,300 square feet to more than 41,000 square feet. Features include rear-loading docks, 18-foot to 24-foot clear heights, early suppression fire sprinkler systems and 118-foot truck courts.

Compark 75 recently sold to an Atlanta-based investment company, MDH Atlantic Acquisitions LLC. The park has five industrial buildings that are close to fully occupied. (Courtesy of Cushman & Wakefield)

While the park is largely leased to tenants, two industrial condominiums under private business ownership are located at Compark 75. They weren’t included in the sale.

The Pet Lane mailing address for Compark 75 puts it in Lutz, but the 165-acre site is located off County Road 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard), about halfway between the interchanges of State Road 54 and State Road 56, with Interstate 75.

Suncoast Parkway is about 12 miles to the west. And, the Tampa Aero Park is on the park’s northern boundary.

The park provides diversity to the central Pasco area, which is booming with residential and retail development, such as The Shops at Wiregrass, Estancia, Bexley, and Tampa Premium Outlets.

In 2014 owner Larry Morgan launched a $15 million expansion of the privately-developed park. Morgan is the founder of Tires Plus, and his family-owned business has several automobile dealerships. Gov. Rick Scott attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion.

The construction marked the first major investment in commercial office construction in Pasco County since the real estate crash in 2008.

Published January 10, 2018

There are plenty of ways to help this season

December 7, 2016 By B.C. Manion

If you would like to help someone else during the holidays, there are plenty of ways you can do that.

Here’s a look at some of the efforts underway that could use more support.

Donate a Bicycle
This effort, spearheaded by Caroline Contractors LLC, is seeking donations of money, bicycles or helmets. Those wishing to donate bicycles or helmets can drop them off at these locations:

  • Caroline Contractors LLC, 18039 U.S. 41, Suite B, Lutz, 33558
  • Hungry Harry’s Family BBQ, 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, 34639
  • The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, 2810 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, 34639
Todd Caroline of Caroline Contractors LLC gets ready to deliver new bicycles during a Christmas Bicycle Drive. Caroline and his wife, Cindy, began giving new bikes to children from less fortunate families several years ago. (File Photo)
Todd Caroline of Caroline Contractors LLC gets ready to deliver new bicycles during a Christmas Bicycle Drive. Caroline and his wife, Cindy, began giving new bikes to children from less fortunate families several years ago.
(File Photo)

Bicycles must be dropped off by Dec. 10. If you can’t drop off your donation, Caroline Contractors will pick it up. If you don’t have time to shop, Caroline Contractors will be happy to take your cash donation and do the shopping for you. For more information, call (813) 931-4611.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax collector helps Toys for Tots
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is collecting Toys for Tots at the county’s five tax offices. The Toys for Tots program is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. It seeks new, unwrapped gifts for children and teenagers.  Bring your donations to these locations by Dec. 22.

  • West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, Room 120, New Port Richey, 34654
  • Gulf Harbors Office, 4720 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, 34652
  • Central Pasco Government Center, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. (U.S. 41), Land O’ Lakes, 34639
  • Wesley Chapel Office, 4610 Pet Lane, CIOI, Wesley Chapel, 33559
  • East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Room 100, Dade City, 33523

Home builder helps Toys for Tots
CalAtlantic Homes is hosting “The Great Toy Drive” for the Toys for Tots program. Participants can make a donation of a new, unwrapped toy to any CalAtlantic community through Dec. 11. For locations, visit CalAtlanticHomes.com.

Auto repair shop helps Toys for Tots
Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair is trading free oil changes and tire rotations, or $20 in auto repair services, for a new unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots. To find a list of locations, visit IceColdAir.com.

Santa’s Tree
The San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union is partnering with local children’s charities to help make the holidays brighter for children. This year’s effort benefits the youth of the Thomas Promise Foundation.

Stop by any of the credit union’s offices in San Antonio, Dade City, Zephyrhills or Wesley Chapel to pick a gift tag from Santa’s Tree. Purchase the item listed. Return the gift tag and unwrapped gifts to the credit union by Dec. 16 before 6 p.m.

The credit union will do the wrapping and distribution, along with its partners at Thomas Promise.

Blanket Tampa Bay
New or “gently used” blankets are needed for Blanket Tampa Bay’s second annual Blanket Drive. The blankets will be passed out to Tampa’s homeless on Dec. 24 at the Trinity Café in downtown Tampa. For more information, call (813) 300-9277.

Published December 7, 2016

Amici Pizza plans stand-alone location

February 3, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Owners of Amici Pizza & Deli are planning to build a new stand-alone restaurant, with additional retail space, on Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The new restaurant is a short distance from the existing Amici restaurant in Grand Oaks Square, at Wesley Chapel and Pet Lane.

Andrea and Josephine Mannino, are heading toward a construction start of Amici Plaza in spring with an opening likely by the end of 2016.

Pasco County records show a conceptual plan with about 3,000 square feet for the restaurant, and about 1,800 square feet for retail.

“We’d like to have our own building and a bigger kitchen,” said Andrea Mannino.

No decisions have been made on the additional retail space, he said.

The site is located at the corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Wesley Chapel Boulevard, which is also known as County Road 54.

Pasco County is moving forward with acquisition of right-of-way along County Road 54 to prepare for the expansion of the two-lane road into a four-lane road at the junction of State Road 56 and State Road 54 to Progress Parkway.

The road design also would allow for future expansion to six lanes.

County records show that construction on the $46 million project would begin in fall 2018 and would be completed in fall 2019.

To accommodate the placement of the restaurant and plaza, the Manninos’ requested the county reduce by 9 feet the amount of land acquired for the road project, and also requested a reduction in building setbacks.

The county’s Development Review Committee has recommended approval to the Pasco County Commission, which has the final say. Commissioners are scheduled to consider the request on Feb. 9.

At the same meeting, commissioners also will consider the restaurant’s request for a beer and wine license.

Construction of Amici Plaza will adopt “low impact development principles,” said Stuart Artman, director of engineering projects for Moody Engineering, Inc.

Instead of an open-air storm water pond, the site would have an underground storage vault to capture and disperse rainwater. That can decrease potential flooding problems, and provides more area for amenities such as a sidewalk around the restaurant that is separate from the public sidewalk built along the roadway.

The site also places parking spaces to the side and rear of the restaurant, another “smart growth” trend in development.

“It makes for a more compact and walkable site, which the county is encouraging,” said Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein.

Published February 3, 2016 

 

Toys for Tots collection begins

November 10, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Christmas time is just around the corner, and the campaign by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve has started to collect toys for children.

The first Toys for Tots collection drive will take place at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s offices in Land O’ Lakes, Dade City and Lutz. The west side offices will begin their drives in December.

Toys for Tots was created to help less fortunate children in communities enjoy a better holiday season. The program seeks new, unwrapped gifts for children and teenagers. Toys donated by members of any given community will be given to children in that community.

“I applaud the veterans and volunteers from Toys for Tots who give so much time to help the less fortunate children in Pasco County,” Tax Collector Mike Fasano said, in a release. “I encourage everyone who has a heart for children to consider dropping off a gift at one of our offices. The generosity of our friends and neighbors will go a long way towards making this a special holiday season for countless kids who may not otherwise receive a nice gift this year.”

Throughout November, toys can be donated to the Land O’ Lakes office at the Central Pasco Government Center, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes; 4610 Pet Lane, C101, in Lutz; and at the East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Room 100, in Dade City.

New tax collector’s office doing brisk business in opening weeks

September 25, 2014 By Michael Murillo

Any time you open a new location, you wonder if people will like the decisions you’ve made, and if the hard work will pay off. That happens if you’re a business owner or a general manager.

Or even the Pasco County Tax Collector.

“You’re always concerned about ‘If you build it, will they come?’” said Tax Collector Mike Fasano, referencing the iconic line from the movie “Field of Dreams.”

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Robert Knox registers his truck at the new tax collector’s office, located off Wesley Chapel Boulevard in Lutz. The location is already drawing around 240 customers a day, exceeding the expectations of Pasco’s tax collector, Mike Fasano.   (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Robert Knox registers his truck at the new tax collector’s office, located off Wesley Chapel Boulevard in Lutz. The location is already drawing around 240 customers a day, exceeding the expectations of Pasco’s tax collector, Mike Fasano.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Six weeks after the county opened its newest tax collector’s office at 4610 Pet Lane, off Wesley Chapel Boulevard in Lutz, Fasano has his answer: They’re coming.

The county set a modest goal of around 125 to 175 customers a day as a start for the location. But less than two months later, they’re seeing 240 on a normal office day, Fasano said.

Even on the weekend, when the office is open for limited hours, people are taking advantage. The location gets around 200 customers during their Saturday hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“It’s the area needing the service,” Fasano said. “Wesley Chapel, the Lutz area and west Zephyrhills is growing. The service was needed there.

“They have a location go to now, and not have to travel either to Dade City or all the way to Land O’ Lakes on U.S. 41.”

That decision appears to have advantages as well. Purchasing land and building an office was an earlier consideration, but would have cost several million dollars and delayed the opening by a few years. And when the decision to lease space at The Grove fell through, the current location at Compark 75 proved to be a viable alternative that offered a larger area for driving tests.

As a result, the chosen location allowed the county to have the site up and running in around six months and for less than $1 million, Fasano said.

In addition to the office’s most popular services — obtaining and renewing driver’s licenses and vehicle registration renewals — the full-service location also handles birth certificates, paying property taxes, and obtaining occupational, hunting and  fishing licenses.
And many residents are taking advantage of the driver’s license testing, Fasano said. He attributes the testing’s popularity to area demographics.

“We have a lot of young families in Wesley Chapel,” he said. “We are seeing a larger amount of young people that we are providing that service to than I expected.”

The tax collector’s office could have a new service to offer customers in 2015 as well. Thanks to a new law that allows approved tax collectors to accept applications for concealed weapons licenses, the county’s offices will be able to file them for residents with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

It should take about a year for the Pasco offices to be involved in the rollout, Fasano said.

Comment cards have revealed positive reviews and customer satisfaction with the new location and its services, but Fasano understands that a trip to the tax collector’s office rarely is cause for celebration.

But there’s a focus on keeping wait times down — there are no appointments — for those who need services performed in a timely manner, Fasano said. In some cases, customers might wait 45 minutes to an hour at peak times, but many are getting their tasks accomplished in 20 minutes or less.

While customer traffic can be unpredictable, Fasano suggests doing business in the middle of the month if possible, as people are often renewing auto tags at the end of the month. Wednesdays might be less busy than other days of the week as well, he said.

And customers can save themselves multiple trips by making sure they have all the necessary identification and accepted proofs of residency the first time they come in. Document requirements can be found at PascoTaxes.com.

The location’s customer traffic is growing and people are using the services it offers, which makes Fasano feel good about the decisions and preparations that went into its opening.

“I’m extremely pleased,” he said. “It’s not only met our expectations, but exceeded our expectations.”

Published September 24, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

Tax collector’s office readies grand opening

July 28, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector's office
Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s office

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the newest Pasco County Tax Collector’s office, opening next week off Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The ceremony is set to begin Aug. 4 at 10 a.m., at the office, located at 4610 Pet Lane in ComPark 75 in Lutz.

Tax collector Mike Fasano said in a release, he saw a need for an office in that area almost immediately after he took office. The location near State Road 56 is designed to serve residents in Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel and surrounding communities.

“The new Pasco County Tax Collector office in Wesley Chapel is long overdue,” said deputy tax collector Billy Poulos, in a release. “The area has seen a tremendous amount of growth and serves to have our services at its doorstep. For far too long, the residents of Wesley Chapel had to drive far distances to visit our offices. Those days are long gone as we open what is to be the new standard in tax collector offices.”

That includes wide concourses, a sleek and modern look, and close proximity to a major population hub, Poulos said.

The new office will be a full-service one that will include residential and commercial property tax, business receipt tax, drivers license testing and renewal, birth certificates, and registration for cars, vessels and motorcycles.

For more information on the new office and the grand opening, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

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Congratulations to Healing Hearts Cafe for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Healing Hearts Cafe’s mission … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds Healing Hearts Cafe

Affordable Living At Club Wildwood

July 26, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Older adults in central and east Pasco County are discovering the charming manufactured home community of Club Wildwood … [Read More...] about Affordable Living At Club Wildwood

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What’s Happening

08/13/2022 – Ask a Gardener

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills, will host “Ask a Master Gardener” on Aug. 13 at 9 a.m. and at 10 a.m. A master gardener will be on hand to answer questions. For information, call 813-780-0064. … [Read More...] about 08/13/2022 – Ask a Gardener

08/13/2022 – Belly Dance Show

The American Belly Dance Studio will present “We Come to Belly Dance,” a gala belly dance show, on Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. This is a fun, family oriented show featuring a variety of belly dance styles and costumes. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased online at AmericanBellyDance.com, and at the door if available (limited seating). For information, email , or call 813-416-8333. … [Read More...] about 08/13/2022 – Belly Dance Show

08/14/2022 – Sunday Storytime

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Sunday Storytime on Aug. 14 at 2 p.m., for all ages. Masks are recommended but not required. Registration is required online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/14/2022 – Sunday Storytime

08/15/2022 – Animal Services temporary closure

Pasco County Animal Services, 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O' Lakes, will close to the public on Aug. 15 through Aug. 17. The PCAS team members will be training on a new pet management software, to better serve customers. Offices will re-open for regular business hours on Aug. 18. … [Read More...] about 08/15/2022 – Animal Services temporary closure

08/15/2022 – Choose your adventure

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “Choose Your Library Adventure: Back-to-School Edition 2022” on Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 6 to 12, online. Kids can make their own choices during an interactive journey through Library World. This is a friendly and wise guide to give kids and family the knowledge to make the most of library resources available for fun, education and ongoing adventure. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 08/15/2022 – Choose your adventure

08/16/2022 – Dance party

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host “Dance Party!” storytimes on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17. Toddlers can attend at 10:15 a.m., and preschoolers at 11:15 a.m. The 45-minute sessions include stories, songs and movement. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/16/2022 – Dance party

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Early voting has kicked off in Hillsborough County and is scheduled to begin soon in Pasco County. https://buff.ly/3P9rFLu
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TOP STORY: Food pantries are feeling the pinch.
“People are struggling. People that have never struggled before. Rent is an issue for people. It’s gas. It’s groceries. It’s hitting them from all sides.”
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Coming up in #dadecity

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