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Pasco County faces lean budget year
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County’s revenues are falling short of projections — in the wake of a flattened economy due to the impacts of COVID-19. Robert Goehig, budget director for Pasco County, presented an overview of the preliminary budget at the Pasco County Commission’s June 30 meeting. In essence, the county can afford just 11 of 115 business plan initiatives brought forth by its department heads, Goehig said. Among those initiatives is a 2% raise for
county employees. The size of the proposed raise received pushback from County Commissioner Mike Wells. Wells told County Administrator Dan Biles:“You know the state is giving 3%. I believe almost all of the constitutionals (county constitutional officers) are doing 3%.There is nothing more important on this budget than taking care of our folks. We have to take care of our team. I would like to see that be 3%. I think that’s an extra halfmillion.” Biles explained:“The reason we stayed at
the 2% is because that basically matches the inflation rate, which was 2.1% last year. We also wanted to be mindful of what is going on in the rest of the community, as well.” Commission Chairman Mike Moore and Jack Mariano said they’re willing to keep the issue open for further discussion. Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, however, backed Biles’ approach. Starkey said she appreciates the staff’s efforts, but she added:“I am OK with the 2% for this year, and if things get better next See BUDGET, page 9A
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A sneak peek of a coming attraction Dozens of people had a chance to get an early look at The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, which is expected to open in August in Zephyrhills. The facility will offer much more than tennis. All racquet Sports USA’s Marcos del Pilar, second from left, is the promotions and sales manager for the center. He shows some of the features that are expected at the new tennis center. Looking over his shoulder is Ileana Figueroa, of Zephyrhills. Others pictured are Lawrence Popescu, of Wesley Chapel; Alan Secrest, of Zephyrhills; Marvin Tyler, of Land O’ Lakes; and Jet Hall, of Zephyrhills. To find out more about it, turn to our coverage of a recent tour of the construction site on our Sports page, page 10A.
Officials urge caution, as COVID-19 cases ramp up
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By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Underscoring the point is the myriad projects and initiatives Zephyrhills has in the pipeline — mainly in regards to new residential construction. Larger single-family developments underway include The District at Abbott’s Square, Zephyr Lakes, Hidden River, Links at Calusa Springs, plus various expansions to the Silver Oaks and Silverado communities, respectively. In other words, the city’s real estate market is “very hot right now,”Vande Berg said. He explained, “I don’t know where all these people are coming from, but these housing subdivisions are selling homes for over $300,000 with HOAs and CDDs. I wasn’t sure how that’d work in Zephyrhills, but you drive up to Silverado and before the lot infrastructure is completed, you’re seeing a ‘Sold’ sign, so it is amazing. “Even through this COVID-19 environment the residential housing…has really stayed very strong, which helps the city from a budget and revenue standpoint.”
Florida COVID-19 cases continue to rise, with 9,478 cases recorded on July 2, according to Florida Department of Health figures. The day before, 9,529 positive cases were reported. The surge in new cases has prompted additional measures to try to limit the spread, and has prompted cancellations of more planned events. As the Fourth of July weekend approached, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees asked Floridians to do their part. “As we head into this holiday weekend, I encourage all Floridians be diligent in avoiding closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings, and remember to wear a mask.Together, we must continue to take the appropriate steps to slow the spread of this virus,” DeSantis said, in a news release. They also reminded those at greatest risk of severe complications to avoid crowds and minimize contact. People over age 65 and those with underlying medical conditions are most vulnerable to serious consequences from the virus. “Many asymptomatic individuals are unknowingly carrying the COVID-19 virus in public,” Rivkees said, in the release. As the number of positive cases rises, local officials are taking actions aimed at reducing the spread. Local events continue to be scrapped. Both the traditional Fourth of July parade in Lutz, and the Rattlesnake Festival and Rattlesnake Run set for October at the Pasco County Fairgrounds were canceled. Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts also have dropped plans for traditional indoor commencement ceremonies, the districts initially had delayed. Instead,
See DEVELOPMENT, page 9A
See COVID-19, page 9A
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Zephyrhills Planning Director Todd Vande Berg was the featured guest speaker at an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting on June 23.
Development is starting to increase in Zephyrhills By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Except for some weeks throughout March and April, the COVID-19 hasn’t halted much new development within the City of Zephyrhills. That’s the word from Zephyrhills Planning Director Todd Vande Berg, who outlined a number of citywide projects during an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting on June 23. Perhaps the most notable setback,Vande Berg said, involved a slight delay in court installations at the forthcoming Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellbeing Center, due to some extra safety and travel precautions taken from Miami-based construction crews. However, the nearly $5 million project on Simons Road is proceeding well, with a grand opening scheduled for mid-to-late August. Aside from that, the planning director said,“I haven’t heard of a lot of slowdown, at least in our community.”