The Laker-East Pasco-April 5, 2017

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The LAKER EAST PASCO EDITION

LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM

A new home for neurological care.

Experienced neurologist Alexander Kiss, M.D., has joined Bayfront Health Medical Group. Dr. Kiss treats neck, back and facial pain, strokes, migraines, Alzheimer’s, dementia and more.

APRIL 5, 2017

Egg hunts and services planned By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Easter season, you’ll find plenty of options across the region. There are fun events, such as Easter crafts and egg hunts, solemn Good Friday events and Easter service celebrations. Here are few highlights from around the area covered by The Laker/Lutz News. They are presented here, in chronological order. • The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, has created a new event called the Jelly Bean Fling that will debut on April 8, and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COURTESY OF PIONEER FLORIDA MUSEUM & VILLAGE

Natalie and Nolan Kassabaum pause for a photo op with Jasper the Easter Bunny, who will be one of the highlights at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village’s Jelly Bean Fling, set for April 8.

Admission is $5 for anyone over 5 years old, and parking is free. The schedule begins with “Breakfast with Jasper, the Easter Bunny” at 9 a.m.A pancake breakfast, with bacon or sausage, will be served for $3 each.After breakfast, kids can make their own Easter bonnet, with hats provided to decorate, while supplies last. Then, they can march in the Easter Parade with Mr.Tommy. There will be Easter egg hunts, with four different age groups, up to age 12, which will have staggered start times, beginning at noon. Other highlights will include face painting, a petting zoo, touch a truck, a bounce See EASTER, page 11A

Call 813-602-8805 and ask about same-day appointments.

6751 Gall Blvd. • Zephyrhills

BayfrontDadeCity.com Member of the Medical Staff of Bayfront Health Dade City.

SA V VE up to

80% % SEE OUR A AD ON P PA AGE 3A 3 COURTESY OF RICHARD K. RILEY

Dade City chamber hosts business breakfast The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly Business Breakfast at Kafe Kokopelli in Dade City, sponsored by Premium Title. The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce represents more than 450 businesses from across Pasco County and beyond, who support activities, such as its student ‘Citizen of the Month’ program, high school scholarships, community awards, events and initiatives promoting economic development and quality of life in the area. From left: Jeanie Germain, president of Premium Title; John Moors, executive director of the Chamber; and, Sharon B. Sumner, secretary-treasurer of Premium.

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Contract approved Could homestead exemption be $75,000? for Pasco’s new By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

administrator

By Kathy Steele A proposed constitutional amendment to increase homestead exemptions to $75,000 could be a boon for homeowners, but a bust for local governments that stand to lose millions in property tax revenues. If approved, homeowners potentially could add another $25,000, excluding school taxes, to the current $50,000 homestead exemption. At least 60 percent of voters statewide would have to approve the increase in a 2018 referenPasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey dum. The Senate Community Affairs Committee, headed by State Sen.Tom Lee, RThonotosassa, recently approved the amendment. Senate subcommittees also must weigh in. A similar amendment proposal is anticipated in the Florida House of Representatives. Estimates peg the loss to Pasco County’s revenues at nearly $1.4 million annually. More than 60,000 parcels would be removed from the tax rolls, said Ralph Lair, Pasco County’s government affairs officer. “It’s nice to give people the exemption, but how far do you want to go?” Lair said. The proposal to increase the homestead exemption was one of the issues that Lair covered, as he gave an update on 2017 legislative issues to the Pasco County Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran Commission at its March 28 meeting. Lair said the revenue losses in some small counties could be so severe that “they’re not Legislators also are considering a bill that going to have a budget to work with.” would stop local governments from approvCounties, including Pasco, already are ing new regulations for businesses, struggling to find revenues to pay for basic professionals and occupations, Lair said.Any services, said Pasco County Commissioner regulations passed after Jan. 1 would be null Kathryn Starkey. and void. “Instead of trying to keep our parks and If approved, the new law would affect libraries open, we’ll be shuttering them,” local control of licenses issued to such esStarkey said. tablishments as liquor stores and bingo The Florida League of Cities and the halls. Florida Association of Counties oppose the See HOMESTEAD, page 11A increase.

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County commissioners signed off on a contract to hire Dan Biles as the next Pasco County administrator, with an annual salary of $220,000. County commissioners agreed to hire him on March 14, when he competed against four other candidates at a special public meeting in New Port Richey. On March 28, commissioners made Biles’ hiring official by approving his contract. Biles is scheduled to begin his new duties on May 1. However, his threeyear contract also requires that he spend a few days in Pasco County before then, to take part in budget discussions with county staff for Dan Biles fiscal year 2018. Biles is leaving his job as deputy county manager in Jefferson County, Alabama, to step into a position being vacated by Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker. Baker opted to retire after four years, and not seek a contract renewal. There will be some overlap of time between Baker’s departure and Biles’ arrival. Baker’s contract ends in mid-July. “I think we’re extremely fortunate to have such a strong county administrator coming here,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.“He is very impressive. He’s going to help us take Pasco to new heights.” In addition to his annual salary, Biles’ contract includes benefits for a total package of about $278,000. The county will pay $10,000 in moving expenses and up to $2,000 for temporary housing. Biles also will receive an automobile alSee CONTRACT, page 11A


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