Pasco County voters could be asked to support as many as four bond referendums in November to pay for upgrades to public safety, fire rescue, parks and libraries.
County officials presented information on the bonds at a Feb. 13 workshop in New Port Richey.
At a previous workshop, Pasco County commissioners had considered a single referendum for about $185 million to pay for public safety and fire rescue needs. That included a 1,000-bed expansion at the county’s jail in Land O’ Lakes, four new fire stations, and upgrades and expansions at five other fire stations.
There also was discussion on including parks and libraries in the single bond, or possibly putting those categories into a separate bond.
This is the county’s current breakdown on individual bond issues:
- $128 million for public safety
- $57 million for fire rescue
- $19 million for parks and recreation
- $9 million for libraries
Pasco County commissioners had differing opinions on whether to pursue separate bond issues.
From a legal standpoint, Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said the bonds should not be “lumped” together.
“Every single item should be on there,” said Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano. “Let the people pick.”
Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said he worried about overloading voters with too many issues.
“On one ballot, that is going to be very, very full,” he said. “That’s a lot of information — a lot going on.”
But, he later said, he could go along with four bonds.
“If you guys want to put it on the ballot, put it on the ballot,” he said.
The detention center project, at $128 million, would pay for a 1,000-bed expansion. County officials said a judicial administrative order mandates that the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office relieve overcrowding when the inmate population reaches a daily average of 1,900.
The facility was built to house 1,432 inmates but, as of January, held more than 1,800 on an average day. By 2020, the inmate population is projected to be at nearly 2,400 a day.
The cost per household, based on $100,000 property assuming a homestead exemption, is estimated at $13.87 annually.
Fire rescue is seeking $57 million for four new stations, as well as renovations at five existing stations and at the fire training center. In addition, the bond would pay for trucks for the new stations.
The cost per household, based on $100,000 property assuming a homestead exemption, would be about $8.60 annually.
The $9 million for the libraries would be used to modernize and upgrade a library system built in the 1980s. The cost per household, assuming a homestead exemption, would be $1.71 a year.
The $19 million for parks and recreation would pay for deferred maintenance projects. The cost per household, based on $100,000 property asssuming a homestead exemption, would be $3.71 a year.
“I think people would vote for $1.71 and $3.71,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, referring to the cost per household for the libraries and parks bond issues.
Currently, the county spends $1.5 million annually on deferred maintenance needs.
At that spending rate, county officials said it could take more than 15 years to catch up.
Using bond proceeds, the backlog could be completed in five years or six years, they said.
One critical recreation issue for the county is a shortage of ball fields.
Currently, sports leagues must compete for playing time, said Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources.
“As growth continues and as children want to play, the reality is we don’t have enough fields to put them on,” he said.
Revised February 28, 2018
