Property tax rates won’t go up in fiscal year 2017, though a more robust trend in property values could bring a slight boost in property taxes for some homeowners.
At a final hearing on Sept. 27, Pasco County commissioners approved a $1.3 billion operating budget that includes increases for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and 16 new business initiatives that give residents more services.
The fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
The final budget is about $80 million less than what was proposed in July, partly due to accounting adjustments in how unspent funds for capital projects are counted.
Tax rates remain the same as last year. A homeowner will be assessed about $7.61 for each $1,000 in property value for the county’s general fund, and about $1.81 per $1,000 for the fire district.
However, as the economy has improved, property values in the past year have increased. Tax bills also could tick up slightly.
On average, county officials anticipate an additional $6.89 on a tax bill for a home valued at about $106,000.
“Hopefully, most citizens are going to see some reductions in their taxes,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader.
A request weeks earlier from Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano resulted in a one-time allocation of $100,000 to the elderly nutrition program.
The money will be held in a reserve account while county staff members provide details on how the money will be spent. Fasano told county commissioners he wanted the funds to reduce the waiting list of elderly residents who want to participate in the free meal program.
The money is from additional funds returned to the county from the tax collector’s office.
Dade City resident Amy Gant made a plea for money to repair the Dade City Little League concession stand at John S. Burks Memorial Park.
The 30-year-old structure is in dire need of repairs, she said.
Code violations include a leaking roof and broken plumbing.
An electrical fire happened recently, and critters crawl through broken windows, Gant said.
“The concession stand for our league is one of the biggest moneymakers,” she said. “I know that it’s expensive, and you probably can’t afford it, but I’m going to ask anyway.”
As a youngster, Gant said the Dade City Little League was a lifeline for her. She told commissioners she would be dropped off at the ballpark by her drug addicted mother, and picked up at the end of the day.
But, she said, “A lot of the character I learned was on that field from coaches that mentored me.”
While the county set aside about $1.5 million for park upkeep, the concession stand isn’t on the list. Gant did get some encouragement.
County officials will look into repairing the electrical outlets.
A 2015 parks’ master plan that included an overall needs assessment is in early stages of implementation.
“This is a story that is repeated all over our parks’ system,” said Pasco County Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey. “We just don’t fund them enough.”
Budget highlights include:
- A bus circulator route for Land O’ Lakes
- A $6.3 million increase for the sheriff’s office to fund a second year of salary raises, 24 additional fulltime employees, and new patrol laptops
- A fire rescue ambulance and crew for Fire Station 37 on State Road 54 at Ballantrae
- A code enforcement initiative to clean up major corridors, such as U.S. 41 and U.S. 19
Published October 5, 2016
