The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Ron DeSantis

More than $12 million in state funding coming to Zephyrhills

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The City of Zephyrhills has announced it will receive slightly more than $12 million for three local infrastructure-related projects.

The state allocations were approved as part of the 2022-2023 Florida state budget, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2.

The City of Zephyrhills has announced it will receive slightly more than $12 million in state funding for local projects. (Mike Camunas)

The funds will be used on work at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, road projects and sewer and water main improvements.

“Receiving these appropriations helps to improve the infrastructure throughout the City of Zephyrhills in a multi-faceted approach,” Billy Poe, city manager for the City of Zephyrhills, said in a news release.

Poe also expressed his appreciation to Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson, Sen. Danny Burgess, and Rep. Randy Maggard for their support of the Zephyrhills community.

Poe also thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis for “seeing the value in these infrastructural improvements in the City of Zephyrhills.”

Here are the specifics:

Municipal Airport improvements: $6.6 million
Several projects are already underway at the airport, including a runway extension that is expected to be completed soon. The additional funds will be used to design and construct a new Fixed Based Operator (FBO) Terminal Building, Taxiway F and two new box hangars. Future development of the airport and the adjacent Industrial Park is expected to attract new corporate and recreational aircraft operations, including increased jet traffic. When this happens, new jobs are expected from the increased capacity for aviation businesses, including pilot lessons, new hangar construction, mechanical businesses and corporate relocations and from maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses.

Kossik Road and Fort King Road Sewer Main/Water Main Extension: $3.5 million
This is the second part of a three-phase project to improve utility access in the north end of the city. When completed, the overall improvement will create a looped system, allowing for redundancy, as well as improving fire flow and water quality.

The sewer part of the project will allow decommissioning of up to 400 existing septic systems and prevent nearly 2000 new onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems. It also will provide reclaimed water to benefit the Hillsborough River Basin minimum flow levels.

South Avenue Extension – National Guard Entrance Road: $1.94 million
This funding is intended to provide to access a new Florida National Guard facility that is planned for Zephyrhills. In 2021, a $25 million appropriation was approved to to construct a new facility in Zephyrhills. The Guard selected a location just north of Sixth Avenue and South Avenue and the airport. However, the proposed site does not have improved access from Sixth Avenue. The extension project consists of purchasing the right-of-way, a quarter-mile roadway to access the Guard site, stormwater and extension of 1,300 linear feet of water main and sewer main to service the site from the Sixth/South Avenue intersection. The industrial access road is a critical segment to access both the armory and future industrial development.

Poe said these funds couldn’t come at a better time, especially as the city has numerous projects already in the works or on the books.

“With the growth we’re experiencing (in Zephyrhills) — not just residential, but commercial and citywide,” Poe said, “that comes with improving the water and the sewers and the streets and even the airport. These are all much-needed improvements.”

Published June 22, 2022

Pasco scores wins and losses, in this year’s state budget process

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When it comes to state funding for projects, Pasco had some wins and losses, during the last session of the Florida Legislature.

Ralph Lair, Pasco County’s intergovernmental officer and members of Sunrise Consulting Group, the county’s Tallahassee lobbying team, briefed the Pasco County Commission on some of the highlights during the board’s June 7 meeting.

One of Pasco County’s budget priorities that made it into the budget, but was axed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto pen, called for $14 million for the second phase of the Ridge Road Extension.

The governor also slashed a request by Moffitt Cancer Center for a $20 a million a year, which would have been recurring for 30 years, Lair said.

That would have paid out $600 million over time, which Moffitt was going to use to build its hospital, Lair said.

On the plus side, DeSantis retained $106 million in funding intended for infrastructure related to the Moffitt project, Lair noted.

Shawn Foster, of the Sunrise team, added:  “I know some of you had some major concerns.”

But he reminded board members that Moffitt got $23 million a year last year, though an increase in the sales tax for cigarettes.

Lair said DeSantis also vetoed $35 million intended for a a sports complex and about $5 million for an intersection project near the Florida Pioneer Museum & Village.

He also noted the veto of a $7.1 million request by Pasco Schools for a partnership school with Moffitt Cancer.

“The Sheriff’s Office had two projects. One of their items was vetoed for their office community outreach and engagement initiative for $150,000; but they did receive $3.2 million for a center for recovery for endangered and missing persons,” Lair added.

Pasco County did receive $2 million for Green Key drainage improvements and $5.9 million for right-of-way improvements relating to Lacoochee industrial development.

The Pasco County Fair Association got $2.5 million to do a barn replacement and the Pasco County Housing Authority received $700,000 for a 77-unit affordable housing for veterans, Lair added.

On the municipal front, Dade City received $9 million for the extension of Morningside Drive and a $4.2 million appropriation for a five-point intersection roundabout, which will be over on Meridian/St. Joe Road/State Road 52.

Commissioner Ron Oakley noted that the roundabout project was scheduled for two years from now, but the funding was brought forward so it can happen now.

A big-ticket item for Dade City, however, fell victim to DeSantis’ veto pen: A $39.7 million project to do a replacement of the city’s wastewater treatment plant and a relocation was struck from the budget.

The City of San Antonio received state funding for two projects: $600,000 for a stormwater management project and $900,000 for a sewer extension project.

The city’s request for $500,000 to harden its historic fire station was vetoed.

“The City of Zephyrhills was  our big winner in our community,” Lair said. The projects involved a sewer and water main extension; airport improvements; and, a street extension into the planned National Guard Armory.

Lair also noted that Saint Leo University received $15 million for a multipurpose arena complex, but also had two items vetoed.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Veto Items
Before signing the state’s budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed 443 items, totaling $3.1 billion. Here’s a look at some of the local items rejected by the governor:

  • Ridge Road Extension Phase 2B: $14 million
  • Sports Training and Youth Tournament Complex: $35 million
  • Moffitt Pasco County Life Sciences Park: $20 million per year for 30 years
  • Pasco-Hernando State College, remodel buildings A through E and Chiller Plant, west: $22.5 million
  • University of South Florida, Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences, Research & Teaching Facility, $75 million
  • Saint Leo University Organic Farm (The Farm) Initiative. $311,000
  • Two Saint Leo University programs relating to its Robotics Engineering Degree and Microcredentials Program: $1.2 million
  • Bills relating to Academy at the Farm: $11.8 million
  • Bills relating to Moffitt Cancer Center Partnership School: $7.1 million
  • Tampa Bay Thrives: Behavioral Health Navigation and Support Line: $300,000
  • Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach and Engagement Initiative: $150,000
  • Bills relating to Pioneer Florida Museum: $5.3 million
  • Bills relating to Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority: $1.4 million
  • San Antonio City Hall & Fire Station Hardening: $60,000
  • Pasco County Cultural Arts: $2 million

Source: 2022 veto list of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Published June 15, 2022

Tax holidays savings are estimated at $1.2 billion

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Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law House Bill 7071, which provides more than $1.2 billion in tax relief for Floridians through 10 tax holidays.

The items that will be free from taxes, for a specific period of time, include fuel, diapers, disaster supplies and tools.

In a news release from the governor’s office, DeSantis said, in part: “In Florida, we are going to support our residents and help them afford the goods that they need. Florida has been fiscally responsible, so we are in a good position to provide meaningful relief for families, right now.

Florida will have a monthlong Fuel Tax Holiday in October, as part of a package of tax holidays signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (File)

The news release also quotes House Speaker Chris Sprowls: “The Florida House’s tax package — the largest middle-class tax relief package in the history of the state — is now the law of the land. A bill like this has never been more needed than it is right now.

“From tools to diapers to books for summer reading, this billion-dollar tax package includes something for every Floridian, and that’s what I’m most proud of.”

Senate President Wilton Simpson offered some remarks, too.

“Florida cannot independently fix or outrun all of the problems leading to the cost increases that are wreaking havoc on families, especially our most vulnerable,” Simpson said.

“However, we are working to ease the pain with broad-based sales tax relief and a monthlong gas tax holiday. This bill supports growing families, Floridians looking to prepare their homes for severe weather, and the blue collar working men and women of our state who are trying their best to get by amid record-high gas prices and inflation that many of us have not seen in our lifetime. We are increasing the length of sales tax holidays for hurricane season and back-to-school, and also creating new short-term and long-term sales tax relief on key items needed by families,” he said.

The 10 tax holidays are:

  • A three-month sales tax holiday for children’s books from May 14 through Aug. 14, providing $3.3 million in tax relief
  • A 14-day Disaster Preparedness sales tax holiday from May 28 through June 10, for supplies such as flashlights, radios, tarps, batteries and fire extinguishers, providing $25.6 million in tax relief
  • A seven-day Freedom Week from July 1 to July 7, providing a sales tax exemption for specified admissions and items related to recreational activities, providing $70.6 million in tax relief
  • A one-year sales tax holiday from July 1 through June 30, 2023, for baby and toddler clothes and shoes, providing $81.5 million in tax relief
  • A one-year sales tax holiday from July 1 through June 30, 2023, for children’s diapers, providing $38.9 million in tax relief
  • A one-year Energy Star Appliances sales tax holiday from July 1 through June 30, 2023, for washing machines, clothes dryers, water heaters, and refrigerators, providing $78.5 million in tax relief.
  • A two-year sales tax holiday from July 1 through June 30, 2024, for impact resistant windows, doors, and garage doors, providing $442.8 million in tax relief
  • A 14-day Back-to-School sales tax holiday from July 25 through Aug. 7, for clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies, providing $100 million in tax relief
  • A seven-day Tool Time sales tax holiday from Sept. 3 through Sept. 9, for tools and other home improvement items, providing $12.4 million in tax relief
  • A one-month Fuel Tax Holiday from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, saving Floridians $200 million by lowering the price of gas by 25.3 cents per gallon

The permanent tax relief provided in the legislation consists of various sales tax exemptions, corporate income tax credit expansions, and ad valorem tax and exemption provisions that will generate an additional $190 million in tax savings over two years and $140 million annually after that.

For additional information about the tax holidays, visit FloridaRevenue.com/SalesTaxHolidays.

Published May 18, 2022

Pasco schools feeling the pain of rising insurance costs

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As Pasco County Schools seeks out an additional source of funding for employee pay raises, through a voter referendum, it also is dealing with increasing costs for insurance.

During the May 3 Pasco County School Board meeting, Kevin Shibley, assistant superintendent for administration, briefed the board on rising health insurance costs.

The COVID-19 pandemic, he told the board, “obviously changed the dynamics of our health insurance plan fairly significantly.

‘I don’t think there is anybody in the room that is not aware that the property market in Florida is just in utter chaos,’ – School board member Allen Altman (File)

“You will see that we have experienced a drastic increase in claims to the plan; revenues have been stable, which is good, but when claims are increasing and revenue is not, you start to run into deficit issues.

“We do believe that some of this is a result of increased COVID claims, so we have been using some of the federal relief money to plug those holes, but we are also not convinced that all of the increases are a result of COVID claims, so there are some pretty significant discussions happening within the insurance committee right now, to discuss how to handle those recurring claims that will persist, once the COVID claims run out and we stop receiving bills and invoices for those claims.

“For the current fiscal year, cash flow for the health insurance fund is actually negative $9.4 million, so that is a pretty significant deficit.

“Again, a good portion of that is connected to COVID claims that are being paid by the plan, but not all of them are.

“So, we will continue to work with the committee, about not only ways to raise revenue, but also to restructure the plan and the claims liability and make some claims design changes to bring that budget into balance for next year.”

School board member Allen Altman, who serves on the district’s insurance committee told his colleagues: “There will have to be some changes of some sort, and they’re aware of that. Mr. (Don) Peace and his team (from United School Employees of Pasco) are equal partners on that committee, and they’re already cooperatively working toward moving ahead and trying to get ahead of that.”

The news isn’t good on the property insurance front, either, Altman said.

“I don’t think there is anybody in the room that is not aware that the property market in Florida is just in utter chaos,” Altman said.

He said he recently attended a meeting involving the group that represents hundreds of government entities.

“Florida is now viewed as the most difficult state in the union for a municipality or school district or government entity to get insurance. Both property and liability,” Altman said.

On average, reinsurance costs are running about 30% higher. By comparison, Pasco’s increase is expected to be about 9%, Altman said.

“We’re fortunate. There are some other districts, coastal districts, but south of us, that are struggling to even get a renewal offer,” Altman said.

The entire state is grappling with property insurance issues — prompting calls for legislative action to address the problem.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a special session of the Legislature, which is scheduled to convene on May 23 and to end on May 27. The purpose of the session to is consider legislation relating property insurance, reinsurance, the Office of Insurance, civil remedies and appropriations.

Published May 18, 2022

Pasco sheriff calls for more deputies

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Pasco County’s top law enforcement official appeared before the Pasco County Commission last week, making a case for the county to fund more deputies on the street.

Citing a statistic from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco told the county board: “We are 64th out of 67 counties, in terms of law enforcement officers, per thousand (residents) that we serve.”

Based on figures from Florida Tax Watch, Pasco ranks 55th out of the state’s 67 counties in terms of funding for public safety, Nocco added.

Pasco County significantly lags behinds Pinellas County, when it comes to sworn law enforcement officers, Nocco said, noting Pasco’s ratio is 1.06 officers per 1,000 residents, while Pinellas County’s ratio is 1.86.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco is making a case for hiring more deputies to put on the street, in response to the county’s growing needs. (File)

Other ratios of nearby counties are: 1.23 for Hillsborough County; 1.26 for Polk County; and, 1.32 for Hernando County.

Nocco also emphasized that these are numbers from the FDLE.

To match Pinellas County’s level of service, Pasco would need 399 more deputies. It would need 130 more to match Hernando; 100 more to match Polk; and, 85 more to match Hillsborough.

The staffing at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office is not keeping pace with the county’s growth, Nocco said.

“We’re trying to maintain the level where we’re at. We seem to keep falling behind.

“I am not anti-growth. I am not anti-development. That’s not my role and responsibility.

“My role and responsibility, as the sheriff, is to make sure we do everything we can to keep our community safe,” Nocco said.

He added: “It’s also my role to come here and explain this and tell you, this, to tell you, ‘Hey, this is where we’re at.’”

He told the county board that for every 1,000 additional residents, Pasco should be adding two additional deputies.

And, that, he said, would just slightly improve the current level of service.

He also told commissioners that it’s not just a matter of hiring new deputies. They must go through an onboarding process.

“It takes us over a year to hire somebody, train that person, put through orientation and put them on the street,” Nocco said.

Plus, since it’s an around-the-clock job, 365 days a year, it’s not just a matter of hiring one deputy to be out on patrol. It takes five deputies to equal having one on patrol at all times.

Pay is another significant issue, Nocco said.

Around 2015, Pasco lost more than 100 officers to the City of Tampa, because of pay.

“They actually called it ‘The Tampa 100 Club,’” Nocco said.

While the county board responded to that problem, Pasco again is at a disadvantage when it comes to pay, Nocco said.

“We’re now competing against higher-paying agencies. So, Tampa PD (Police Department) is starting at $60,000 a year. Pinellas is $51,000.

“Florida Highway Patrol is planning to have a starting salary of $56,000 a year, if Gov. Ron DeSantis approves it, which he has said that he will,” Nocco said.

At the same time, Pasco’s starting salary is $46,948, just slightly above Hernando County.

He also noted there’s an issue of hiring law enforcement officers across the country “because a lot of people lost interest, and say, ‘Hey, maybe I don’t want to get into that field,’’’ Nocco said.

Pasco’s 30-year retirement also puts it at a disadvantage to Tampa, which has a 20-year retirement for high-risk positions, Nocco said.

If the county doesn’t increase pay for its law enforcement officers, they will go elsewhere, Nocco said.

“And, if you lose them to Hillsborough, Pinellas, you’ve now trained them up, build them up, and they go somewhere else,” he said.

The sheriff also asked the county board for some assurances about his budget.

“I don’t think there’s anyone who will disagree with keeping the current budget for law enforcement and court security at $111 million.

“I just want to make sure that everybody is good with that, that the $111 million stays with the law enforcement budget and the $51 million (for jail operations) will transfer back to the county.

Reducing the $111 million would result in reduced law enforcement services in the county, Nocco said.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey told Nocco: “I’m not prepared to say anything about numbers.”

County Administrator Dan Biles said, “as part of the jail transfer, our budget office is working with (their budget office), to see what their expenses are in the jail, because we have to build a budget based on line-item expenses. So, we’re working on that.”

However, Biles added, “I don’t expect us to ask for any of that piece, as we move forward into ’23, with the jail transition.”

Commissioner Mike Moore wants the county to explore ways it could shift the burden of these costs to the new growth that is causing the expenses.

He raised the prospect of creating a new MSTU (municipal services taxing unit), so new growth could pay for new costs incurred for public safety services.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said it might be possible to structure something like that, but added that he’s not aware of it being done anywhere, and he’s not sure that would be  defensible.

After the lengthy discussion, there was a consensus on the board that the conversation needs to continue.

The board has a budget workshop planned for May 24.

Ratio of law enforcement officers (per 1,000 residents)
Pasco: 1.06
Hillsborough: 1.23
Polk: 1.26
Hernando: 1.32
Pinellas: 1.86

Source: Pasco County Sheriff Nocco, citing state law enforcement figures

Published April 13, 2022

Pasco officials await final word on state appropriations

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Pasco County officials were awaiting word early this week on the fate of a proposed $14 million appropriation to help cover the costs of the completion of the Ridge Road extension.

State lawmakers were set to have their final vote on the budget on March 14, which was after The Laker/Lutz News went to press.

Even if the appropriation was approved, Gov. Ron DeSantis has until June 30 to act on the budget, which becomes official on July 1.

The one-time $14 million appropriation is being sought to help pay for the final phase of the Ridge Road extension, which ultimately creates a connection between Moon Lake Road, in New Port Richey to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco officials have lobbied for the state spending. They say Ridge Road provides a needed hurricane evacuation route for coastal residents. They also tout the project’s ability to improve mobility within the county, by creating another east-west traffic corridor, in addition to state roads 52 and 54.

Plus, the project, which is due for completion in 2025, is expected to have a positive impact on economic development.

It is viewed as a critical piece of infrastructure to support the development of Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned 775-acre acre in Central Pasco.

Besides awaiting word on the appropriation, Pasco County officials are pushing for an agreement with Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, to allow traffic to head northbound  from Ridge Road to the Suncoast Parkway.

The county board had authorized County Administrator Dan Biles to pursue an agreement that would allow the county to temporarily pay for tolls on the Suncoast Parkway — to accommodate the complete opening of the Ridge Road extension at that interchange.

The agreement is needed because Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise must collect tolls for users on the toll road.

But Commissioner Mike Moore and Biles reported to the board that no progress had been made because the county had not heard back from Turnpike Enterprise.

With that, the county board voted to authorize a letter to be sent to the governor, seeking prompt action.

Meanwhile, Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey reached out to David Gwynn, secretary of the District 7 office of the Florida Department of Transportation.

Gwynn reached out to an official at Turnpike Enterprise, and he was assured that action would be taken later that day or the next day.

Once that agreement is reached, the interchange is expected to be fully opened within a week, according to county staff.

In another action on March 8, the county board approved a change order to the professional services agreement with NV5 Inc., in the amount of amount of $701,994.70 for fiscal year 2022, to provide additional design, permitting, utility coordination, and bid services for Phase 2b of the Ridge Road extension, from Sunlake Boulevard to U.S. 41.

Details of the change order were spelled out in the board’s agenda packet. The item was approved as part of the board’s consent agenda, meaning there was no public comment and it was approved with other agenda items, in a single action.

Approval of the change order will result in a cumulative subtotal amount of $1,391,724.70 for Phase 2b of the project and a cumulative total amount of $16,143,847.99 for all phases of the Ridge Road extension, from Moon Lake to U.S. 41.

On Dec. 8, 2020, the board approved a change order with NV5 for design services and CSX coordination for the Ridge Road Extension Phase 2b project.

The design services were limited to roadway plans up to 60% completion and structural plans up to 90%, which was the minimum necessary for the coordination with CSX.

The change order was awarded for the not-to-exceed amount of $689,730 for FY 2021.

The change order approved on March 8 will add funds to complete the design of Ridge Road Extension Phase 2b.

That includes the development of signing and marking plans, signalization plans, landscaping plans, completion of roadway plans, drainage plans and permitting, and utility coordination. The change also adds a time extension of 150 days from Oct. 8, 2022 to March 7, 2023.

Published March 13, 2022

Pasco asking for state’s help to combat speeding

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The board of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is sending a letter to the Pasco County legislative delegation and to Gov. Ron DeSantis seeking additional funding for the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), to support traffic enforcement on the county’s state roads.

The action came at the MPO board’s Feb. 10 meeting, during a discussion of speeding problems within the county.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore raised the issue, noting a recent crash involving two students who were racing — that resulted in two fatalities.

“This is more and more common,” said Moore, who serves on the MPO board.

“I hear it where I live. I hear them racing in the middle of the night,” Moore said.

He also noted that he drives to Tampa once or twice a week and always sees troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol on the interstate.

By contrast, Moore said. “I’ve not seen them ever on the state roads in Pasco County, e.g., (State Road) 54, (State Road) 56, (State Road) 52, (U.S.) 41.

“We just had a fatality on (U.S.) 41 last week, as well,” Moore said.

He wants to work with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Highway Patrol to have FHP redirect resources to beef up enforcement on state roads within Pasco.

Moore noted that Pasco residents are concerned, too.

“I’m getting a lot of emails from constituents, around the Wesley Chapel area, because of this,” Moore said.

If FHP beefed up its speeding enforcement on State Roads 52, 54 and 56, as well as U.S. 41, the number of citations it issues would go through the roof, Moore said.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Kathryn Starkey, who also serves on the MPO board, said the speeding problem came up during  a meeting she’d had the prior day with Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and with County Administrator Dan Biles.

Starkey said she subsequently discussed the problem with David Gwynn, secretary of FDOT’s District Seven, which includes Pasco County.

A meeting on the speeding issue is being organized, Starkey said.

She told her MPO colleagues that during those discussions she learned that the troopers working the interstate are different from the ones who work within Pasco County.

Gina Torres, a transportation planner for the MPO, told the board that she knows that the FHP office working in Pasco is stretched thin.

She said she did a ride-along for an entire day and, essentially, the trooper went from crash to crash to crash.

Starkey urged her MPO board colleagues to support Moore’s motion for additional funding to increase FHP enforcement.

To put it simply, Starkey said: “This would save lives.”

The Pasco County MPO is the lead transportation planning agency in Pasco County that serves the following municipalities in Pasco: Zephyrhills, San Antonio, St. Leo, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City.

Its board is made up of elected leaders from Pasco County, Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey.

Published February 16, 2022

Omicron cases continue to soar across United States

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Cancellations are starting to occur more frequently, as COVID-19 cases continue to climb across the United States.

Health care experts say the surge is being driven by the Omicron variant of the virus.

An interpretive analysis published on The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s website estimates that Omicron may account for approximately 95% of cases.

There were 5,705,264 new cases reported across the U.S. on Jan. 5, more than doubling the January 2021 peak, according to a CDC report.

“The entire country is now experiencing high levels of community transmission. Hospitalizations are also on the rise,” the CDC report says.

Based on current knowledge about the Omicron variant, the CDC recently updated its quarantine and isolation recommendations for the public.

Those coming into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should quarantine if they are in one of these groups:

  • Age 18 or older and have completed the primary series of recommended vaccine, but have not received a recommended booster shot when eligible
  • Have received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (completing the primary series) over two months ago and have not received a recommended booster shot
  • Are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series

The CDC also says that those confirmed or suspected of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should stay home and isolate from other people for at least five full days.

They also should wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home and in public for an additional five days.

Testing may be used to help determine when to end your isolation period, the CDC says.

As of Jan. 5, the current seven-day moving average of daily new cases (586,391) increased 85.7% compared with the previous seven-day moving average (315,851).

A total of 57,898,239 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the United States as of Jan. 5, according to the CDC.

Health experts are advising those who need to be tested to go to a local pharmacy, an urgent care center or a public testing site — not to a hospital emergency room.

Hillsborough County has three free COVID-19 testing sites, they are located at:

  • Hillsborough County Community College Brandon campus, 10451 Nancy Watkins Drive, in Tampa. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily for residents who want to receive free COVID-19 testing. This is a drive-thru site, and no appointments are needed.
  • Progress Village Park, 8701 Progress Blvd., in Tampa. This is a walk-up COVID-19 testing site open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. No appointments are needed.
  • West Tampa Community Resource Center, 2103 N. Rome Ave., in Tampa. This is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. It is a walk-up site that offers free COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, Pfizer pediatric vaccines, booster shots for those who are eligible, and monoclonal antibody therapy treatment. No appointments are needed for most of the services, but residents wanting monoclonal antibody therapy treatment must make an appointment. They can make an appointment at PatientPortalFl.com.

Children ages 5 to 11 who are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian can receive the COVID-19 Pfizer pediatric vaccine at the West Tampa Community Resource Center site. The child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to verbally confirm the child’s age.

For all services, proof of medical insurance is recommended and should be presented at the time of the visit. People without medical insurance will still be tested, vaccinated, or receive monoclonal antibody therapy treatment for free.

Meanwhile, according to a report by The Center Square, an online news outlet, Florida’s Republican Congressional delegation has entered into the state’s ongoing rift with the Biden administration over access to monoclonal antibody drugs.

The state’s two senators and 11 of its congressional members sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra arguing the administration’s distribution policy regarding the monoclonal antibody therapy “continues to be shortsighted and burdensome on states and health care providers.”

Their letter comes after Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo accused the Biden administration of “actively preventing the effective distribution of monoclonal antibody treatments in the U.S.,” according to The Center Square report.

The Center Square also reported that Florida seniors who live in assisted-living facilities and nursing homes will receive 1 million rapid COVID-19 tests in an effort by the state to prioritize safety for those at high risk to serious illness.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the distribution during a visit at the Rehabilitation Center of the Palm Beaches, where he met with leaders in the senior care industry.

When to seek emergency medical attention
If you experience any of these signs, or someone you know is showing these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray or blue color skin, lips or nail beds, depending on skin tone.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

COVID-19 statistics
Statistics from Jan. 9:
Pasco County: Community transmission rate, High; Cases, 6,247; positivity rate: 30.05%.
Hillsborough County: Community transmission rate, High; Cases: 22,110; 30.2% positivity rate.
Florida: Community transmission, High; cases: 410,713; positivity, 25-plus%

Statistics from Jan. 7:
Pasco County Schools: 196 student cases; total of 6,793 student cases for the school year
Pasco County Schools: 31 employee cases; total of 1,273 employee cases for the school year
Hillsborough County Schools: 2,398 employees cases for the year; 12,751 student cases for the year

Note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises everyone in Pasco County and Hillsborough County to wear a mask in public, indoor settings.

Sources: Pasco County Schools, Hillsborough County Schools and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Published January 12, 2022

Special session set for Nov. 15

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The Florida Legislature will meet in special session beginning on Nov. 15 and will conclude its session by no later than Nov. 19, under a proclamation issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis last week.

The session is intended to “provide protections for Floridians who have lost their jobs or are having their employment threatened due to vaccine mandates,” according to a posting on the governor’s web page.

DeSantis announced, in a news conference on Oct. 28, that the state had filed a lawsuit against the federal government — challenging the Biden administration’s authority to impose a vaccine requirement on federally contracted workers.

“We are not going to deny people the ability to earn a living, based on their decisions about an injection,” DeSantis said, during that news conference.

During the special session, DeSantis expects legislators to pass laws to protect Florida jobs and protect parents’ rights when it comes to masking and quarantines,” the website posting says.

The governor is calling on state legislators to address vaccination issues on a number of fronts.

According to the governor’s web page, those include considering legislation to:

  • Protect current and prospective employees against unfair discrimination on the basis of COVID-19 vaccination status
  • Ensure that educational institutions and government entities are prohibited from unfairly discriminating against current and prospective employees, students, and residents based on vaccination status
  • Appropriate enough funding to investigate complaints regarding COVID-19 vaccination mandates and to take legal action against such mandates, including mandates imposed by the federal government
  • Clarify that the Parents’ Bill of Rights, Chapter 1014, Florida Statutes, vests the decision on masking with parents, not government entities, and that schools must comply with Department of Health rules that govern student health, including rules that ensure healthy students can remain in school

In the website posting, DeSantis said: “The health, education, and well-being of our children are primarily the responsibility of parents. As long as I am governor, parents in Florida will play a strong role in determining what their kids are learning and how they’re treated in school.”

During his Oct. 28 news conference announcing the state’s lawsuit against the federal government, DeSantis said, “We want to protect people who are working now in the state of Florida. These people have been workin’ the whole doggone time, and now, all of a sudden they’re goin’ to get kicked to the curb? Give me a break.”

He added: “In Florida, we believe these things are choices based on individual circumstances. There are physicians that will recommend one course of action or another, based on your health history.”

DeSantis told those at the news conference: “We cannot have the federal government coming in and exceeding their power.

“They’re really rewriting contracts, and they’re transforming normal contracting into basically public health policy and that’s not anything Congress has ever authorized,” he said.

At the same news conference, Attorney General Ashley Moody said President Joe Biden has overstepped his authority.

“It is a complete and gross overreach of the federal government, into the personal autonomy of American workers,” Moody said.

The state attorney general also described the action as an “unlawful mandate” and added, “we will not back down.”

While issues involving COVID-19 vaccinations will play out in the state legislature and the courts, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Oct. 29 authorized the emergency use of Pfizer for children ages 5 through 11.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to take up the issue this week and must grant authorization before vaccines can be distributed.

Published November 03, 2021

Roadway connectivity is key to Zephyrhills’ economic vitality

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The Zephyrhills area has experienced burgeoning activity in the way of residential growth and commercial development.

Pasco County Commission chairman Ron Oakley has witnessed it firsthand, since being elected in 2016.

“Zephyrhills has been a very good, working city,” said Oakley, who represents District 1, which covers areas in East and Central Pasco.

“Economically, they’ve done very well over the years, and I mean, it just didn’t start here lately, it’s been that way.

Pasco County Commission chairman Ron Oakley was a featured guest speaker during the fifth annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit in October, at Zephyrhills City Hall. (File)

“They have a good council here, and they have good planners and others,” the county board leader said.

But Oakley is especially enthused about the forthcoming roadway connectivity in and out of the city limits — which he detailed as one of the featured speakers at the fifth annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit held last month, at Zephyrhills City Hall.

The Oct. 13 event was organized by the City of Zephyrhills, Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition, Main Street Zephyrhills, Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC), and AdventHealth Zephyrhills/Dade City.

These were among the finished or active projects that Oakley highlighted:

  • State Road 56 extension, from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills
  • Wire Road pavement rehabilitation
  • County Road 54, east to 23rd Street, which includes traffic signals, turn lanes, and multi-use path
  • U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road, which includes traffic signals and median improvements

“Those are great things happening, because that’s going to help everybody move around better,” Oakley said.

Some countywide roadway upgrades also will benefit the municipality, too, Oakley noted.

That includes the $33.6 million diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56, which is expected to be completed in summer 2022.

Oakley put it like this: “What good is a diverging diamond to Zephyrhills? Well, economically, it helps people get in and out of the area, and it helps them get here, and then also to get out of here.”

There’s also the $64 million interstate interchange on I-75 at Overpass Road, south of State Road 52, scheduled for completion in late 2022 or early 2023.

“That’s going to help divide that traffic up from (State Road) 56, to Overpass to (State Road) 54 and then (State Road) 52,” Oakley said.

By spreading the traffic out, “your movement will be much better,” he explained.

Oakley was quick to point out that these big-ticket roadway infrastructure projects would not be possible without the mobility fees paid by surrounding growth and development.

“None of this happens without the fact that we’re doing a lot of residential development that brings in impact fees (mobility fees) and school impact fees that builds schools, and also pays for the roads that you see,” he said.

Large developments are in progress
Oakley also told the crowd about some of the large-scale developments that he said, “are cropping up everywhere around the city.”

He directed attention to Two Rivers, a master-planned unit development (MPUD) zoning off State Road 56, between Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301.

Roadway infrastructure improvements — such as the Overpass Road connection with Interstate 75 — were a key theme during the fifth annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit.

The project is substantial.

The county has approved up to 6,400 residences, more than 2.6 million square feet of office and industrial, and 630,000 square feet of commercial uses.

The 3,405-acre property’s southern boundary is on the north side of County Line Road, and its northern boundary is on the north side of State Road 56.

The Two Rivers development also includes a site for an elementary school, middle school and high school, an 80-acre district park and a public safety site.

“All these developments are going to bring more people into the economy of Zephyrhills; very important for that economy,” Oakley said. “Those people coming in will be really helping a lot of businesses here in Zephyrhills.”

The speaker acknowledged the possible strain on services and utilities such as water and sewer, but assured local citizens that the county is well-prepared.

“There’s nothing wrong with good, planned growth,” Oakley said.

The commissioner also shared his vision and standards for new residential developments popping up in East Pasco.

These large developments, the commissioner said, should entail “good architectural views, good landscaping, and a place you’d be proud to live in.”

In the same breath, he pushed back on small-lot housing subdivisions.

“I honestly believe that we shouldn’t have 40-foot lots,” he said. “We have some, and they work, I guess, somewhere, but they’re really too small.”

He continued, “We want to build a whole residential development that’s more of a community, and not houses right beside each other, with no landscaping. We want something to be proud of in Pasco.”

Elsewhere, Oakley mentioned the county is working on plans to help small businesses, in the way of zero-interest loans, grants and other assistance programs.

“They’re pretty much the backbone of our community, when you think about all the small businesses,” said Oakley. “We have the big businesses, and they’re a different source themselves, but small business is very important.”

State Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills

Burgess bullish on Zephyrhills armory
State Rep. Danny Burgess, R- Zephyrhills also participated in the economic summit, speaking virtually from his Tallahassee office.

His remarks focused on the forthcoming Florida National Guard Armory coming to Zephyrhills that is set to be located near the city’s municipal airport.

State lawmakers earmarked $25 million for the construction of the project during the past legislative session.

Burgess described the project as “a first-of-its kind, state-of-the-art armory.”

He said it will employ many full-time Army officers during the week, plus hundreds of soldiers and service people visiting on weekends.

The legislator views the armory as “a big economic driver” for the city, where soldiers and service members “work and eat and stay and play in our community.”

“It’s not just a military installation, it’s not just a home for the National Guard,” Burgess said. “It’s going to be really good, and it’s moving fast, so we should hopefully have some great direction here soon.”

What makes the project even more special, Burgess said, is that Zephyrhills is a community that has deep military roots and a record of support for the armed forces.

The city was founded by Civil War veteran Capt. Howard B. Jeffries, as a retirement area for union soldiers.

The city’s airport property was used by the U.S. Army in the 1940s as a training airfield for combat pilots.

“We should all be very, very proud of this,” Burgess added of the armory.

Burgess went on to praise the city’s windfall in the latest state budget, which included several appropriations, including $6.5 million for water and wastewater improvements on Handcart Road; $4.6 million for improvements to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; and $3 million for improvements to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Said Burgess, “It’s a testament to our community, to the things that are happening in our community, to the businesses in our community and our community leaders.”

As a sign of the municipality’s wave of progress, back in June Florida Gov. 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.

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

Burgess also credited Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby) for his continuous support of Zephyrhills at the state level.

“He has always looked out for that community, and he sees the value in our location geographically and from an infrastructure standpoint, and he just wants to see us succeed,” Burgess said.

Other featured presentations during the summit came from Zephyrhills Planning Director Todd Vande Berg; David Waronker, CBD Real Estate Investment president; Randy Stovall, Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition chairman; and Tom Ryan, Pasco Economic Development Coalition director of business development.

Zephyrhills is now Pasco’s biggest city
The City of Zephyrhills has surpassed New Port Richey as Pasco County’s biggest city, based on data collected in the 2020 U.S. Census.

The Pasco County Commission discussed the shift during its board meeting on Oct. 26, noting that it will have to make some new appointments to boards that include a representative from the county’s largest municipality.

Census data reports that Zephyrhills had a population of 17,194 on April 1, 2020. Its population was 13,288 as of April 1, 2010.

New Port Richey’s population was 16,728 on April 1, 2020, compared to 14,911 on April 1, 2010.

Census figures for local jurisdictions include:

Jurisdiction                             April 1, 2020               April 1, 2010
Pasco County                          561,891                       464,697
Zephyrhills                              17,194                         13,288
Dade City                                7,550                           6,437
New Port Richey                     16,728                         14,911
Hillsborough County               1,459,762                    1,229,226
Tampa                                     384,959                       335,709

Pasco County Commissioners discussed Zephyrhills’ shift to become the county’s largest city, noting that it will mean that some appointments will need to change next year because certain boards require representation from the county’s largest city.

Published November 03, 2021