The Laker-East Pasco-August 3, 2016

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The LAKER

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EAST PASCO EDITION

LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM

AUGUST 3, 2016

Sales tax holiday means savings By B.C. Manion

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

It’s commonly called a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, but the truth is that any Florida shopper can skip the sales tax on a multitude of items from Aug. 5 through Aug. 7. The sales tax exemption starts a minute after midnight on Aug. 5 and ends a minute before midnight on Aug. 7.

Back to school shopping is an annual tradition for many families. Nationally, back-to-school spending is expected to reach $75.8 billion this year, according to a survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics for the National Retail Federation. That’s up from $68 billion last year, according to a story on consumer trends posted on the NRF’s website. Locally, Tampa Premium Outlets has

Less waiting where it matters most – our emergency room.

kicked off its back-to-school season, with a campaign targeted at teens that features three seasonal trends inspired by ’80s and ‘90s fashions — Off-Beat, Modern Utility and ’90s Nostalgia. “Back-to-school shoppers spend more during this season than they do during Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day combined, so we want to make See SALES, page 15A

Zephyrhills is looking for a new city attorney

The 30-Minutes-or-Less E.R. Service Pledge* – only at Bayfront Health Dade City.

By Kevin Weiss

kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

BayfrontDadeCity.com *The E.R. team will work to have you initially seen by a medical professional within 30 minutes of your arrival in the Emergency Room.

Get all your favorite local news stories online.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR. SUSAN A. MACMANUS

When the balloon drop happened at the 2016 Democratic National Committee, it seemed like the balloons would never stop dropping, besides being plentiful — many of the balloons were huge.

Florida at the DNC: Witness to History By Dr. Susan A. MacManus Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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B INSIDE, PAGE 1B

Last week, the Democrats held their 2016 national convention in Philadelphia — the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection — and formally nominated Hillary Clinton for president and Sen.Tim Kaine for vice president. The Democratic National Convention followed the Republican National Convention, held the week before in Cleveland.Traditionally, the party that occupies the White House always goes second. Florida’s 246 delegates head- From left, Elena McCullough, of Wesley Chapel; Elaine ed to Philly knowing they would Togneri, of New Port Richey; and, Dr. Susan A. have a front row seat to watch MacManus chat at the Florida delegation breakfast. history in the making — the MacManus, a political scientist at the University of South nomination of the first woman Florida, is a nationally known expert on Florida politics. presidential candidate from a major political party. ning Florida in November. Florida! Hillary Clinton’s journey from her nomi- Florida! Florida! Met? Yes. nation to her acceptance speech was filled • Avoid any unpleasant surprises with surprises. So, too, were the four days such as had occurred at the GOP conthat the delegates spent together. vention. (Recall the Melania Trump speech plagiarism accusation and Ted Cruz’s refusal to endorse Trump.) Met? No. GREAT EXPECTATIONS: • Unify the party; bring Bernie Sanders MET OR NOT? Florida delegates arrived in Philly fired up supporters into the fold, especially since and ready to go, expecting their convention Sanders himself was being given a prime to: See DNC, page 15A • Underscore the importance of win-

For the first time in more than a decade, the City of Zephyrhills needs to find a new city attorney. Joseph A. Poblick, 41, stepped down from the position after Gov. Rick Scott appointed the attorney to the Pasco County Court. Poblick replaces retiring judge Mark H. Salton, who presided over misdemeanors, driving under the influence and criminal traffic cases. Poblick’s last city council meeting as the council’s attorney was July 27. “It’s been a wonderful decade,” said Poblick, who’s had the role since 2006.“I remember not too long ago I did a tally of all the council meetings I’ve attended...and it’s a rather large number.” Poblick said he didn’t have much notice of his appointment to the bench, which prevented the city from finding an immediate successor. “We’re kind of caught between a rock and a hard place,” Council Vice President Alan Knight said, during the council meeting.“We need to get somebody on board.” Poblick recommended the city should hire an interim attorney, as the search continues for his permanent replacement. “I think it’s important to have somebody in place now,” Poblick said.“To the best of my knowledge (the council) has nothing that’s critical coming up, but I still think it’s important to have somebody on call should something arise.” Poblick told the council that candidates for the permanent position don’t necessarily need to have a great breadth of municipal experience to handle city attorney duties. “I think if you can find a qualified attorney, there’s things they can pick up and things they can look into,” he said.“I don’t think you need to limit yourself to someone who has prior government experience. I think a lot of it is you’ve just got to find somebody you’re comfortable with.” Poblick also served as city attorney for both Port Richey and New Port Richey, leaving all three Pasco County municipalities in similar predicaments. City Manager Dr. Steven Spina said New Port Richey’s city manager, Debbie Manns, reached out to him about the possibility of creating an inter-local agreement to share an attorney. However, the Zephyrhills council decided that it would be preferable to hire its See ATTORNEY, page 15A

Tentative tax rate set in Zephyrhills By Kevin Weiss

kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

The property tax rate in Zephyrhills won’t increase this year. The Zephyrhills city council voted unanimously to set the tentative millage rate at 6.35 mills, the same figure set for the 20152016 fiscal year. Under state law, now that the millage rate has been set, the council has the option to reduce it prior to the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1, but cannot increase it. City records show that maintaining a rate of 6.35 mills will generate about $3.71 million in property taxes, an increase of nearly $84,000 over last year. The figures are based on the proposed total city property value of about $622 million. Councilman Lance Smith was adamant about not increasing the property tax rates, noting the city already has accumulated about $6.3 million in unallocated reserves. “I know sometimes when we raise it, it doesn’t seem to come back down,” Smith said about the city’s millage rates. Councilman Charles Proctor was in favor of setting a higher tentative millage rate until more “exact numbers” for the

COURTESY OF THE CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS

The property tax rate for the city of Zephyrhills has been set at 6.35 mills, the same as it was for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. The city council has the option to reduce it prior to the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1, but cannot increase it.

city’s draft budget become available. “If we find out that we’re going to need more, we can’t go back and set it higher,” Proctor said.“I would personally rather set it higher...and if everything’s good, go back.

...I understand about the reserves...but, it’s nice to have something for a rainy day.” The councilman added that increasing See RATE, page 15A


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