11.12.25 Pasco Board of County Commissioners Meeting (Morning Session)

I'd like to call to order the Pasco and that was access direction directed. I just want to [laughter]

Good morning. I'd like to call to order the Pasco County Board of County Commission 10 a.m. meeting of November 12th, 2025. At this time, please silence all electronic devices and mute your microphones. Please rise for the invocation and the pledge. Honorable Commission, Pasco County Chaplain Anthony Ship, here to give the invocation. Heavenly Father, we do thank you today for this community. And as we enter our season of thanksgiving, we ask that you'll continue to bless this community. Protect our police, fire, teachers, first responders, doctors, and nurses, and our school children. Empower us today to do our civic business. And we thank you for blessing. Amen.

Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay. Can we please call the role?

Yes, ma'am. District one, Commissioner Oakley,

here.

District two, Commissioner Wake,

present.

District four, Commissioner Jerger,

here.

District five, Commissioner Mariano

here. District Three Chairman Stark

here. Okay. So, now is the time for public comment. Citizens are given an opportunity to comment on any current or future agenda item coming before the board and on other business under the board's purview. Today's public comment will be handled as follows. First, we will take public comment for those who are here in person. And then we will take public comment from those who have pre-registered for a WebEx link and are currently on quue. We request that when you address the board, comments are not directed personally against a commissioner or a team member, but rather directed at the issues. This provides mutual respect between board members and the public. After stating your name and address for the clerk, a three-minut timer will be activated and a green light will be shown on the podium. After 2 minutes, a yellow light will indicate you have one minute left. When your time is up, a red light will be displayed. Three beeps [cough] will sound and you should close your comments. WebEx participants will be disconnected automatically when their time is up. And do we have anyone signed up for public?

Yes, we have several. Uh Tom Framar, please come forward.

Please give us your name and address for the record.

Make it up for us.

Uh Tom Fra. I'm the treasur of Betmar Corporation. Betmar Acres Club Incorporated.

Do we need an address?

I think we're good with the Betar Acres. Your home address, please.

Uh home address, 5709 Apache Street, Zephr Hills.

Thank you.

I do have a handout here

that I would like to have um all the commissioners to have a copy of.

Okay. We had a motion to receive and file and a second. All in favor? I opposed. Thank you. You can hand it to someone over there and they'll pass it out to us. [clears throat]

Go ahead, sir. Your time's running.

Oh, it started. Okay. Um, we've been here before. Um, I represent Betmar Acres. Like I said, we're 1670 unit mobile home community in Zephr Hills and we have um an issue with the property taxes being charged to us by Pasco County. Okay. We have since we were here last time, we have engaged an attorney. I'm here with the attorney's blessing because he said we want to resolve this at the lowest level that we can and that is with you with the board of commissioners. Okay. Now I in the packet you'll see several things I we already had um got information from the county on that reflects on our case with the county. Um, you know, number one was the case of the city of Gainesville versus the DOT. Um, that's self-explanatory in there of what they're called user fees because you're charging us a user fee. Okay. Um, number three in there is an important one because number three is your the board adopted resolution 70 or excuse me 0778. Okay. And giving notice of intent to utilize the uniform method of collection and place utility fees on the tax as a nonorum special assessment. That's basically what the law is saying. If you go to um page or number five, item number five in there, Jordan Wolf Graham says that the law does doesn't apply to Pasco County because they call them user fees. Okay. And if you go to number seven in there, you'll see that an advalorum tax or non-advalorum assessment, including a tax or assessment imposed by the county, municipality, special district, or water management district, may not be assessed separately against common element utilized exclusively for the benefit of owners in that subdevelopment. That's what we're saying that the county is in violation of their their regulation which places it on the property tax bill as a non-advalorum special assessment and as such the law says you can't charge it to us. Um you are due your utility fees and and what we're saying is they're due by all the members in our community is who you are supposed to assess not us. Okay. Betmar Acres is the owner of all the common element within the park and so you're billing us for storm water and sewer.

Thank you very much. Um but and we don't engage um during public comment but uh hope have you met with your commissioner? Who is that? Commissioner Oak.

Yeah, we've

Okay.

Yeah. and and Ron was instructed by your county attorney not to talk to me anymore. So,

Okay.

Well, sometimes that happens when there's lawyers involved.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

And I'll I'll read this more later.

Uh Scott Walk, [clears throat]

your address for the

Scott Walksmith, 36919 Terra A. I am the current vice president of Betaracres Club, Inc. I'm here to echo uh what Mr. Fra has said. Um Pasco County, Florida Code of Ordinance Section 110-369, billing and payments and penalties. The board held a duly notice public hearing on December 19th, 2006 and adopted resolution number 0778 giving notice of its intent to utilize the uniform method of collection and to place the utility fee on the tax bill as a non-advelerum assessment pursuant to Florida statute 197.3632. When you go to that statute 197.3632, the the title is the uniform method for levy collection and enforcement of non-advalium assessments. This particular section of the statute does not mention utility fees or user fees at all and it has to do with non-advoreium assessments. uh under the definition of levy. Levy means the imposition of a non-adilarium assessment stated in terms of rates against the appropriately located property by a governmental body authorized by law to impose non-advarium assessments. When you scroll down to the non-advalorum assessment, it says nonadvalorum assessment means only those assessments which are based but which are not based upon millillage and which can be a lean against the homestead as permitted in section 4 article 10 of the state constitution. And then when you go to uh Florida statute 193.0235 0235. It's titled advalorum taxes and non-advalium assessments against subdivision property and it says that they are to be prrated by the property appraiser and included in the assessments of all the lots within the subdivision. Now, Betmar is very big. There's a it was multi-phase. There's 18 subdivisions which is over 1650 homes. We understand that the county has to collect a certain amount of money to run. We're not saying that the county isn't due these money. They're owed these monies and are supposed to be able to collect these monies. What we're saying is is the lot owners are supposed to be charged for this, not the corporation as a whole. That's what it says in 193.0235. Thank you for your time.

John Hannannah,

John Hannah.

Okay, thank you.

Yeah, John Hannon. Uh, address is 3542 LER Road. Um, I'm here on the subject of um, our road is marked private, not county maintained or county owned, and we've been having issues of people flying up and down the road. Um, putting our grand my grandkids in danger and other kids on that road in danger. And we had a conflict um with uh someone that uh was speeding and I um asked her to stop and slow down and she got really uh verbal and everything and up and said I want to call the cops and all that and um cops come out. There's like five cruisers. So, I don't know, you know, what she told them if uh I had a gun or whatever, but they was out there in like five minutes. Five cruisers uh was out there and it's just ridiculous uh that we have to put up with this and we have to dish out thousands of dollars every year to maintain our road and smooth it out and everything. And Chansy and Morris Bridge being closed so long right now is really put like, you know, 60 or 70% more traffic on our road and they just don't care. They're just flying up and down our road and the when Pasco County cops come out there, they said, "Oh, well, it's marked uh you know, private road, but we can't do nothing about it." And I said, 'Why not? I mean, you know, you got plenty of places that we volunteer for you to come down there and sit and try to catch these speeders and everything and you all don't even show up. You don't want to even come out and do anything about it. So, it's just getting to a real danger point and we got um a section of it is so narrow uh fire and rescue can't even get down it with their fire trucks and stuff. It's just a little bit wider than a regular vehicle. And that's another concern, too. you know, people living in that uh narrow part of it, uh how they going to get an ambulance if somebody has a heart attack or place uh catch on fire or something, their place is going to burn down before you know they get enough hose stretched out to reach in them uh place that they can't get down through. So, uh, it's just a, uh, really dangerous situation in more than one place, and I think it, uh, needs to be at least county maintained and fix the the issues. Thank you. Have a nice

just one question. Is that a paved road or an unpaved road?

Half of it's paved and half of it's not.

And did you mention what the name of the road is?

Linear.

Okay. L A N I E R. Thank you.

Thank you,

Robert. First,

if it's not too much to ask, we're here to say goodbye to Mr. Murphy and he's not here right now. He's going to be here in a couple minutes. Can I be shifted to the end of the list?

Sure.

Yeah, that would be okay.

We have uh

Is this the whole list here?

Uh we Allan Lane just hold. Okay. Do we have anyone in line today? One person.

Good evening. My name is Alan Wayne, 3640 [clears throat] LER Road. I own nine different addresses on that road and we got like five other people here to just complaining about the same thing Mr. Hannon was just talking about. We get the people. It's not just because Marsh Bridge is closed. The people have been doing it for a long time and that's just more hindrance to the situation. They get up there, they have no respect. We ask them to slow down. They holler out the window, "F you" and then they just punch it and then they go sideways and everything else going down the road. We get out there, we have a confrontation with them just like Mr. Hannah said the other day. I had one a few weeks ago and I called the cops. It took them two hours to get there. He called, well, the lady called the cops. It took him about five minutes. I had five of them coming in. And there were sirens coming in and the cops told us right there directly that we have no right to tell anybody they can't come down that road that it it's a public through fair. It's not a public road. It's private road. If it's public then take your county out there and make them do something with it. If it's private that's fine. I'll take care of it. I've been maintaining it since ' 89. I've been through all the desert storm and all that stuff back in the past to go out there to fight for what everybody else wants here. Now I'm just here try to fight for what I got in my own possession that I paid for in my own business. You know, there's no need for nobody to come out there and then the cops tell us right in front of the people, there's nothing you can do about it and you need to leave these people alone. You know, a man told us the other day, we got people shooting at one another downtown and we ain't got time to come out here and play with your road. The exact words he told us. If he ain't got time, he don't need to be on the force for one. And if you got people shooting downtown, you're going to wind up having people shooting down there on Lener Road before long because we've already had massive road rage. Massive road rage. And I included myself chased this idiot all the way down through Zephr Hills. And if I could have got up with him, it would have been more private. All we're asking is if it's county, take care of it. If it's private, instruct your officers to when they get called out there to do something about it. I had the man come out there one time. I told him, I said, "If you'll just come out there and sit and watch, you'll see what's going on." They did. Three days later, they came out there. They sat right in the middle of the road. I went out there right in front of my house. I said, "We got a problem." And he says, "No." You wanted us to come out here and set and see what's going on. Here we are. I said, 'Well, duh. There ain't nobody going to speed right past them uh SUVs from Hill Pasco County. They're going to slow down just like anybody else would. But somebody need to educate the officers and let them know that, you know, we do

this on our own. I pay for it. These people pay for it. I get out there and bust my butt trying to make it happen and keep it right. And it's not fair for somebody to just come by here and boom. Thank you. Uh Norman Klein. My name is Norman Klene and I reside at 3946 linear road, zephr hills. Because the intersection of Morris Bridge and uh Chansy Road are closed because of a sinkhole, people are driving on Laneir Road. That's the road I'm living on. To get from Chansy Road to 54 or from 54 to Chanty Road, the near road is paved from State Road 54 south for about a quarter mile and then it turns into one lane high a dirt road and then after the another quarter mile it turns into a two-lane but it's still a dirt road. Driving conditions on this road are do not are not good for speed and or for safety. Now, this road is not maintained by the county. So, it's private. So, you imagine what the conditions are like. You need to drive it to see how dangerous it is. A safe speed would be about 10 miles per hour, but who's going to drive that this day? There are no speed limit signs because the county will not put speed limit signs in and the sheriff's deputies will not enforce it without the signs. So, we're at a mercy of those who drive it and most of them are driving 30 or 40 miles an hour on that dirty road. Uh the sheriff's department won't enforce anything, but they'll come out there and tell us if we can block it and then give us a hard time. And yet, uh, they'll chastise the owners, but the car drivers, they say, "You're welcome to use it." Now, I don't think that's private. So, uh, u people are using this road that are in the four one lane section. People are walking it. Horses are d using it. uh school children are walking on this area and uh they have to face uh four-wheelers, dirt bikes, all and automobiles. What a disaster. So, I'm asking you to somehow block it or do something for us because someone's going to get killed in this road. I trust your judgment on this one and thank you. Um, I'm going to take a little privilege here. Uh, county administrator, when we approved Two Rivers, these were all the communities that were to the north and we we said there needed to be connectivity and I'm not seeing it. Um, and I'm not even sure this I think you need to look at this road and see if we connect to it and take over this road. Um, otherwise we're going to have traffic jams on all the other roads. It seems we should have as many connections as possible and But and I see that Two Rivers is connecting is both I can't tell if it's connected or a spite strip, but that was 100% what we agreed to when we did Two Rivers that it would those kids up north could have an easy route to get south and um just want to make sure that's happening.

Yes, ma'am. Connectivity is important. Jason Nickel from public works is here. He'll he'll speak with the residents. I I think there's probably multiple paths forward and multiple options to deal with this and so we'll we'll get those out and report back.

Is that our s is that our sinkhole on Morris Bridge?

Well, Morris Bridge and Chansy our area of responsibility and I know that we we do have some construction there. I'm not sure what the detour routes are. I have a lot of questions of staff.

Okay. Well, we'll look into this more later.

Thank you very much.

Yeah.

Just want to tell you that that that road is supposedly coming forward and be finished at Chanty and Morris Bridge. is the third week of December is what is planned to be.

Okay. Well, it's good news for these guys,

but they're they're working toward that. It's just a time element. Takes a long time to get some things done. So,

but we need to make sure that the conditions that when we approve two rivers are being met by their layout and connectivity and I not really seeing

Greg Dawson.

Good morning. I'm Greg Dawson. I live at 34920 Appaloosa Trail at the corner of Appaloosa Trail and Laneir. Uh I have just over 660 ft adjacent to Appaloosa and just over 1,000 ft adjacent to Laneir Road that you've already heard about since the intersection at Chansy and Morris Bridge has been closed. Traffic has been these roads has been excessive. Uh I have two driveways on Appaloosa and one on Laneir. Uh various apps were routing traffic through my west driveway on Appaloosa and out the exit on Laneir even after posting private property no trespassing signs. This endangers my wife, myself and my six kids that are still at home. My preference is that the county maintain the road that we be given permission to either install gates or make it a a dead end along Laneir. Uh in 2018, we received letters asking for an intent to donate portions along uh both roads as a rightaway. I'd ask that you look at this as an option again now that situations have changed and ownership of land has changed. Uh when Laneir preserves on Chanse Road was built, uh the county authorized utilities. We run down the middle of the of Laneir. Again, that is a dirt road. Uh but didn't maintain the road. On June 15th of 2023, my son uh ran my vehicle into a pipe that was in the middle of the road and bent the frame of the vehicle, effectively totaling the vehicle. On August 22nd, 2023, I filed a claim to the county for $6,584.89. I received a letter denying the claim because the county claimed they don't own the land. We need clarity either that they maintain the road uh as a county or give us property owners to block it as necessary. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

That concludes those that have signed up in advance. Uh unless there is another sheet up there. So

what we have

come on up sir. Is JJ here?

Has JJ arrived? Okay,

I'm on page two here.

Okay.

Okay. Doug Dro 10144 Dusty Hill Loop. Um I was here last month about the traffic on Centennial Road when schools are beginning or letting out. They're traffic is getting worse. It's not getting any better. Um, I've seen videos people just stop on the road for a half an hour and sit there while they wait for their kids to get out of school. I've seen people all the way down Centennial on the Newsome. People driving on people's front lawns on Newsome to make a turn to get back in line. They have no respect for anybody that lives in that area. They block Dusty Hill at times. fire engines and ambulances are stuck in the traffic because it's only a two-lane road. Um, a simple solution would be to pave Newsome and Townend so we would have a smooth exit from our community even though we have to go two three miles out of our way. Uh I also found out that um possibly the fire department on Centennial does not use Nuome because it is so rough which I used to live on 98 meant 3 miles longer route to get to my old community. 6 to 8 minutes that's just ridiculous as a safety issue. a person could die being six minutes away for an ambulance. You know, I think the county needs to work more, maybe work with the school district and come up with a plan. Uh I'm not sure what the right thing is. I was directed to go to a schoolboard meeting because you guys don't work handinand with each other. Um I I see your expression. So, I don't know.

We work well with them.

Pardon?

We We work well with the school district.

Okay. So, okay, whatever. I mean, I just would like some solution that we could drive out of our road on Dusty Hill and get to 301 without having to be aggravated every day because we don't know what time this is. This morning we left at 9:30. They were backed up all the way down Centennial.

So, we're not sure what school gets in and what time and what doesn't. There are loops in the school parking lots. Utilize the loops better. Have double lanes in, another lane out. There's a third lane for a bus. Get somebody out there who really understands.

County administrator, who who is our representative on the school safety meetings? And perhaps I could bring this up for next meeting out of the infrastructure group. I assume Panos is here. Be someone from his department, but we can

Okay. because I'm looking at the map. They they should be able to stack on their property.

I'll reach out to the superintendent and see.

Okay. We'll look at

Thank you.

That concludes all that have signed up in advance. We have one online.

Okay.

Okay. None further inside uh online. Uh Julia Bartunic.

Yeah. Hi. Good morning. My name is Julia Bartinic. Okay, that's 2645 Meadowwood Tribe, New Chief, Florida 34655. And I'm calling back an item on the agenda, consent agenda related um to the $700,000 of the tree mitigation fund to be used on the the um irrigation and medium planting. Um which is wonderful to keep beautiful Pasco County, beautiful. And I'm all for beautifification of Pasco County. Uh with the CH tree mitigation fund, it would be uh wonderful um if there could be a massive tree planting. With that mitigation fund, for example, there are places along our beautiful orange bike trail that have no trees. And um it's very hard if you're riding a bicycle in Pasco County and all of a sudden you're like there are no trees along this bike trail and how wonderful it would be if we can get some shade and then exhausted finally find a few trees and take a rest under the trees after biking. Um the planning council is working very very hard and very wonderfully well on our new tree ordinances. Um hopefully in the future also our tree mitigation funds um can be used to emphasize storm water management. We were very lucky this year uh with the hurricanes and storms, but um our trees can really help improve storm water retention uh through urban forest street efforts. So, um, we want to, uh, preserve help even more than 20% of Pasco Countyy's tree canopy. And I know the planning council is working very hard on developing this. Um, but sooner than later, just using that tree mitigation fund for a massive tree planting and I know everybody's working very hard on this. Thank you. God bless, Dave.

That's the plan. Thank you very much.

That concludes all that are pre-signed.

Okay. And we'll we can wait. We'll go we'll move on to um resolution.

Um

you have some

Robert is signed up.

I know. But he's waiting for JJ to arrive. So that

is here.

Oh, okay. I can't see you back there. All right. Uh come on up, Robert.

Good morning, commissioners. Uh, I wanted to take this opportunity today to recognize Assistant County Administrator of public safety JJ Murphy for all that he has done, not only to ensure that the Pasco County residents and visitors are safe, but also to make certain that the men and women of the public safety branch are given the tools, support, and leadership needed to be successful. With today being Mr. Murphy's last day with Pasco County, I believe it's important to reflect on the impact of his leadership and the progress we've made under his guidance. When JJ first came to Pasco, he was immediately thrown into the hot seat. At that time, our department was facing challenges unlike anything we had seen before. Rising call volumes, extended response times, and a mass exodus of experienced firefighters to surrounding agencies. But with his support, advocacy, and collaboration, we were able to confront those challenges head on. Because of his leadership, Pasco County Fire Rescue has now has more trucks, more personnel, and more resources on the road than ever before. We have not only stabilized our workforce, but we've become a department that others are looking to join. A complete reversal of where we once stood. When it comes to leadership, actions always speak louder than words, and JJ's actions spoke volumes of volumes. Under his leadership, we established a groundbreaking partnership with Tampa Bay Psychology, providing unlimited confidential mental health visits for our firefighters. That contract has become a model for agencies across the state, ensuring that those who wear bear the weight of the community's emergencies have the opportunity to protect their own mental health as well. He also played a pivotal role in creating our SWAT paramedic program, something that had been discussed for years, but never gained traction until JJ stepped in and helped make it a reality. And when it came to negotiate our most recent contract, he worked with us to achieve the 2472 work schedule, which finally solved a decadesl long recruitment and retention issue and restored balance to our firefighters lives. JJ was not a distant administrator or a name that only appeared on memos. He was boots on the ground, present major incidents, out in the field during large-scale emergencies, and always asking one simple question. What do you need? When someone wanted to cancel when some wanted to cancel the peer fitness training program due to potential overtime costs, he stood firm and said no. That investing in the health and safety of our people was not negotiable. Those are the moments that define true true leadership. JJ led by example with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the people behind the uniforms. He's been a constant present at our charity of presence at our charity events, at our stations, and alongside us through every major challenge and success we've faced. As he prepares to return home to be closer to

his family, it's my sincere hope that the spirit of his leadership that he brought to Pasco County, one that valued collaboration, accountability, and respect for those on the front lines, continues to shape the future of the public safety in this community. On behalf of the men and women of Pasco County Fire Rescue and IIAFF Local 4420, we want to thank you JJ for your service, your friendship, and your unwavering belief in the mission of protecting the people of Pasco County. You've left this place better than you found it, and your impact will be felt for years to come. Thank you.

Thank you [applause] very much. [applause]

JJ, come up.

J's gonna come up. JJ, come on up. And

I think all I think all said and done, we should take a picture when we're all said and done.

Goodbye.

And JJ, I I have no doubt I have no doubt that the sheriff's office has the same sentiments. Um, you greatly improved the morale and the um communication uh between all those departments and we're very appreciative of all the hard work that you did.

Thanks, Commissioner.

Well, we want you to speak to us. Okay. [laughter] Well, if I could if I could before he goes again, uh this is I've said this before, but I want to say publicly, JJ, again, I want to thank you. Everything that you know, Robert stated is true. Uh you know, we we brought the public uh safety branch back. It was we were facing a great unknown, right? We we had a jail that was coming to us. We did not understand what that was going to mean, what that was going to, as Robert said, we had challenges uh within the fire department. and and I remember sitting down with you and laying out these challenges and kind of saying look this is this is where where we need to go with it and you you took the bull by the horns and you know we've got we've got a a model a model jail facility that's uh doing a lot of great a lot of great things a fire department that you know I think Robert already spelled out everything everything good with that uh but your focus on mental health um your your thoughtfulness um in in looking at things from uh from a higher level was always appreciated so contributed greatly at the executive level on on county issues. So, uh you know, we you uh your your council will be missed, your friendship will be missed, and uh you will be missed here, but we understand your your reasons for moving on, and we just just want to wish you the best, and I just thank you for for everything that you've done for us in such a short period of time.

Thank you, Mike.

Commissioner Commissioner Mary. Uh JJ, I'd like to say, you know, since you've been here, I mean, we've been to DC, uh lobbyed successfully to bring money back to this county to to help get the things that firefighters uh needed to get AMS people. Um your leadership there has been phenomenal. Calming the relations when you got here, as Mike was just saying, was it was it was a tense time for everything and and I think this board has always supported the the the group for firefighters, EMS, and and just try to work to get things better. But the communication wasn't coming in. You find out what the issues were, brought the issues, talked with them, found it all out, figured it all out, brought it to us so we could resolve these things to give the positive support we wanted every step of the way. And the innovativeness you have to to bring on the project that we're trying to get done. I just can't thank you enough. We're going to miss you.

Thank you, Jack.

I just want to say one of the things I remember, you blew your knee out. You were hobbling along, could barely walk, and I'm like, what are you doing? when you were at the pinning, you're like, I wouldn't miss it. That's leadership. And like like he said, you are always boots on the ground. And like you just inspire people to do better and and we are we are going to miss you, but know that as a commission, we're going to carry the torch for public safety and make you proud. So, um, best of luck. I hope you I hope you're you come back and visit and when you do we can all get together and um I'll be praying for you on your trip today.

Commissioner Oakley

JJ thank you is um doesn't seem like a big enough word to express um all the good things you brought to this department public safety and um just the way you carried out what needed to be done at the right time. it was done and I certainly appreciate all of us appreciate exactly what you have done for Pasco County and the citizens of Pasco County while you've been here. Um, I'd rather just turn you down and not let you go, but I know you're not going to let us keep you like that, but I certainly appreciate you and hope you come back sooner than later. So,

thank you.

Thank you, Chair. Well, from what I understand it, you're you're moving the snowbird status, right? That's kind of what you're doing. Moving north, keeping your house down here on the water. [clears throat] That's not necessarily a bad thing. No, it was pleasure coming on coming on with you, helping helping me understand um what it's like to be one of five jailers now essentially, right? and uh understanding the cost and the price tag that goes along and with with with managing managing a jail and what the folks need to run it. Um, and then everything you've done for our fire department and and helping to add clarity and and confidence in our votes to give the folks what they need and um and help us, you know, navigate the bureaucracies along the way to help us capture outside funding to support not just our firefighters, but to help the residents and our taxpayers of our county. So, you know, we'll miss you. Don't go too far away. Raider is probably going to miss this uh nice weather we have here, right? He probably maybe he'll nip at you, but best best of luck to you and and your family.

All right, we're going to we're going to come down and take a photo and county minister, you're welcome to join in. And um

I don't know what Oh, you can say things. Yes, you're allowed.

Okay. [laughter] I just want to thank you all for your comments, Mike, and commissioners, the uh the co-workers that I had. Uh it has been the highlight of my career working here. You spoke about public safety uh in [clears throat] a grand scope, public safety in Pasco County. The public safety branch is one thing, but public safety being, you know, the sheriff's office, 911, emergency management, uh and then the varsity team being fire rescue, and uh corrections. These people give up their lives, their holidays, uh their health to make sure that the rest of us are protected. And um I would like to make sure that continues so that you guys have made significant investments in public safety. Uh I'm honored to say over the last two days, uh Mike must be nervous. Raiders's walking right up to him there, checking him out. [laughter] Uh we moved 500 inmates over to the new facility over the last two days. Uh not without incident. Uh when you take uh prisoners, 70% being felons, and tell them we're going to move them. You know, sometimes it's not great. But our team was dedicated. They worked through the holiday and and that move happened early. Um, you know, in terms of fire rescue, yes, you know, you a lot of you know that we were losing 75 to 100 firefighters a year. We were training ground for other counties and cities. And today, because of your leadership and your investment, significant investment, um we're about to embark on the 72hour downtime for these uh firefighters and EMS personnel who who do great work uh but they do stressful work and they they narcan people back to life. you can't talk about that and then you're supposed to go home and and cut cake with your family like sometimes you're like really that just happened. Uh so thank you for understanding and they pointed out the investment in physical health but also investment in mental health and I thank you all very

[applause] [applause]

Heat. [applause]

I don't think I'm not getting

I think he is saying

he's never

he was like I know

[applause]

I should have had one of my children.

Well, JJ's gonna be here all day. Okay. Um, now we are on to the consent agenda, right? No, RS1.

Okay. RS1.

Yes, ma'am. A resolution by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County declaring the month of November as National Hospice and Piotative Care Month and commending Gulfside Health Care Services for its outstanding service and dedication to the citizens of Pasco County. Whereas hospice and paleiative care provide the highest quality of care to patients and families and bring comfort, love and respect for all those they serve in communities across the nation and here in Pasco County. And whereas hospice and paliotative care providers take the time to ask what's important to those they are caring for and listen to what their patients and families say. And whereas hospice and paliotative care professions including physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, health aids, and clergy provide comprehensive and compassionate care that makes the wishes of each family and patient a priority. And whereas through pain management and symptom control, caregiver training and assistance, and emotional and spiritual support, patients can live fully until their final moments surrounded and supported by the faces of loved ones, friends, and committed caregivers. And whereas providing quality hospice and peliative care reaffirms our belief in the essential dignity of every person regardless of age, health or social status, and that every stage of human life deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care. And whereas every year more than 1.72 million Americans living with lifelimiting illness and their families receive care from the nation's hospice programs in communities throughout the United States with 5,693 patients cared for by GFide Hospice in Pasco County. And whereas more than 430,000 trained volunteers contribute 21 million hours of service to hospice programs annually with over 48,000 hours of service being provided locally by Gulfid's 218 active volunteers. And whereas hospice and paliative care providers encourage all people to learn more about the options of care and to share their wishes with family, loved ones, and their health care professionals. Now therefore, be it resolved by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby declares the month of November as National Hospice and Pal of Care in Pasco County and commends Gulfside Healthc Care Services for its outstanding service and dedication to the citizens of Pasco County. Donna and resolved in regular session with a quorum present voting this 12th day of November, 2025.

Move to approve. Second.

All in favor?

I

I'm sorry. Was there Is there anyone here from [laughter] Oh, I couldn't see you. You were hidden back there. I was like, where's Linda? We would have had you come up.

Yeah. Bring it. Bring your

And anyone anyone who's here with you.

Yeah.

Good morning, everyone. Nice to see all of you. Um on behalf of our board of directors, our entire staff, and our volunteers, I would just like to thank the support from the county commissioners through the years. Uh we've been exist in existence nearly 38 years and today we serve nearly 700 hospice patients and 300 palative care patients every single day in Pasco County alone. Uh you have supported us through so many of our initiatives and growth through the years and we could not do it without without you. I also want to congratulate and thank JJ because fire uh PA uh Pesco County Fire Rescue has helped thousands of our patients through the years in dire situations and we couldn't do it without them either. So, thank you very much for all your support. We greatly appreciate it.

Thank you. Thank you.

I'm sorry. Just for the record, can you go ahead and give us your name?

I'm sorry. Linda Ward, president and CEO of GFide Healthcare Services. Okay. Thanks.

Okay. Uh I'd like to thank you for all the work you do here in Pasco County. U it means a lot to a lot of families and it's at a very sad time when they come to you and um the last days of their lives actually that they you help them through that that time. So it's very sad issue but but one that's also very helpful to

Thank you Ryan. You've been very supportive too. You've come to our care center and supported us as well many times. So, we appreciate it.

Jack's running our hospice uh run through the years. Katherine's always around. All of you have really supported us. I started we have 30 patients in uh 21 years ago. And and now to have all of the support and the growth through Pasco. We've greatly appreciate it.

And and you have a new one coming up.

We have a new care center opening very soon in Newport Richie. We have our Rucky Care Center here in Zephr Hills. And uh so and each of you have also supported our growth through the years into other counties, but this is our home. This is our foundation. Pasco County will always be the hub.

Such a sad but wonderful thing that you do. And and my my heart goes out to the people who work with you and and help take care of our our loved ones in in a very tough time.

Yeah, the staff is they're really the champions of our organization. My job is to take care of them so they could take care of our patients.

I want to take a photo with everybody. Does anyone else want to say anything?

Comments like Seth.

Seth,

he might not have experienced this.

He's a youngster. No, [laughter] we've experienced it several several times and it's um how do you all work with the families that take such a time of sadness and uncertainty and in and turning into a a more positive experience, if you will. I'm not really sure how to describe it, but those who've been through this situation know the feelings that I'm trying to describe here. um how your team and your nurses help and help the families and manage that um that phase of life and and for you all to keep your spirits about you and give the families, you know, confidence in in helping their loved ones through that time is something that um is a is is a learning and growing experience and it's something that that never leaves you. So your team are are are are really special folks for stepping into that that phase of folks lives and helping folks get through it. It's something that I think most everybody will always remember and it's truly one of those situations where people don't remember, you know, what you may have said to them, but they remember how you made them feel. And so that's the best way I describe it. Thank you all for coming here today.

Thank you. Um and Commissioner,

hi. Yeah, it just takes a special person to do that job. End of life is hard and you all just somehow make it just this peaceful transition and the staff is absolutely amazing, so caring. Um, I've I've I've been through that situation multiple times and I just can't say enough about how they make not only the patient feel but the family feel. So, what you all do is just absolutely amazing. So, thank you.

You're welcome. And I'll pass your comments on to the team because they really feel honored by being in those very intimate, private situations with patients and families. They let us into their lives and we don't take it for granted. But our team loves to do it. They just love their work right now. They're just [laughter] amazing. They're like angels.

They are. They are. Thank you very much,

Commissioner.

Thank you. And I want to say hospice is just such a critical plays such a critical role for families. It's been my aunts volunteered for them many times and sadly when my uncle was passing uh they were in there to help and just made such a difference for the whole family. So I've seen it directly on both ends and it's been awesome. But you Linda, you've been a superstar from day one from when you went build your first facility over here to uh the other side over here and what you've done and I can't believe you've been 21 years. I've been recorded one of you. You've been absolutely phenomenal. Your whole team is incredible. Thank you for all the great work you do to make make Pasco a better place. Thank you so much. My pleasure.

I couldn't see you. [clears throat] Here's the right.

We'll put these up. Oh, thank you.

No,

let me let me take one.

All right, Gabby.

Yes. [laughter] Do you have a [applause] will come.

You want Paula?

Okay. Okay. Now we're on to the consent agenda and I have a full list. I have C23 by Commissioner Oakley, full discuss. C25 Waitman, full discuss C28 by Miss Frell withdrawal. And that's the one that um you added my district to. That was incorrect. Okay. Uh Oakley C30, pull and discuss. C37 pull discuss. Oakley C38 poll and discuss and Commissioner Oakley and Mike Carbala C-53 poll and discuss. All right. Are there any other items that wish to be pulled by any commissioner? Seeing none, I'll take a motion.

Move approval on all the other items on consent agenda.

Second.

Okay. All in favor?

I opposed.

All right. And commissioner, I will go by and check out that pantry in the Elers Community Center. Yeah,

it's not up yet.

No, when it's up. All right. Um, we need to get the roads fixed around there. Um, we're going to go on to C-23. I I pulled this item because of um being very grateful of the things that uh Wilton Simpson and his family's done for the community and and throughout Pasco County. A lot of different things have happened due to his leadership. and I just wanted to say thank you to him and his family.

It's going to be Simpson City pretty soon instead of Dig.

Oh, [laughter]

well, he's done a lot for us. Andrew, you have something to add or

uh No, just uh we do appreciate uh Senator Simpson and uh Commissioner Simpson now and uh we just thank him for his contribution to this property and just know that we are working to add his name to the building and updating the plaque associated with the building as well. So all of that will be hopefully here before the grand opening next month early.

Okay.

Excellent.

So I'll move approval.

Second.

All in favor?

I

C25.

Yes. Uh so pulled this just to highlight the uh the tree dollars moving to work rather quickly after we discussed it. So Mr. Carbala. Yeah, I would I would say it's a it's a great example of this board's commitment and our commitment here at the county to uh you know to use these funds uh to reinvest in beautifying the community. And that was kind of serendipitous that we had a uh public comment on the same thing about using those dollars to to beautify and add to the tree canopy. you know, from an administrative perspective, I will tell you from a budgeting perspective, you know, making the move to uh to to, you know, use these funds instead of project funds opens up other dollars that can be used in the public works department. So, using more restrictive funds is is a is the approach that we need to be taking. And since we've we've made this board has made the changes to the to the tree ordinance and the use of those funds, you're going to see more good stuff like this this to come. So, I just thank the board for for approving that and pushing us on on this to to make these things happen.

Yeah. And for for the record, what what's what's that uh account? Roughly $10 million,

something like that.

Something $10 million. So, we have quite a bit of money to to go to work. And so, let the record show that we can actually move the needle with projects here. So, pretty neat. With that, I move approval.

Well, um before you before you make the motion or Okay, we have a motion and a second under discussion. Um, I just want the public to know that while this one is starting on Little Road, we have a plan to move across the county and I don't remember what our next road is. It might be 41

or call your parkway, but the plan is to move across the county and every and hit every area in, you know, rotating sequence. I don't think this is just going to stop on little road. It's going to go all over. Commissioner,

thank you. No, it's a it's a great great way to spend money, which takes away from having to spend taxpayer dollars,

but it deals with mitigation fund money, which is which helps us stretch the budget more and and get more things done.

One of the things I I came along today and I drove a little bit differently. I went 52 all the way out to Fort King Road. Uh, and in doing so,

that's what I did. They had some really nice floral bushes in the ground that they don't work quite everywhere, but wherever we can put that would actually cut down mowing as well and cut down to the expense. So, I'd like us to take a look. I know we had like these one stretches on one side of the road, the other side of the road, but I think we should take a look at expanding that more and then even toward the end when it gets to where they don't want the height uh that peanut grass, we can add that into it as well.

Can you take a picture of it so we can see the what the plant you're talking about?

Sure.

The tree.

Yeah. they uh and you know, we didn't do the Clinton Avenue extension. DOT did it at their expense and they're going to maintain it. So, it's amazing. Um I'd like to know how that happened, but I'm just very grateful that it did. And uh but I think you know how your county presents itself on its public roads is very important and okay. So, we have a motion and a second. All in favor?

I opposed. All right. C28 is withdrawn. Um, is it withdrawn for Scrier's error or what? Why is it withdrawn?

Yes, ma'am. Just the the logistics of of making the changes on the record, we just assume just withdraw it and we'll bring it back at a subsequent meeting. It in no way affects the grant. That's all done. It was literally a $10

because we want the to keep working.

So, we'll

but they have left off my district. So,

yes, ma'am.

Okay. Uh, C30, Commissioner Oakley.

Thank you. I'm trying to read this

short list and delegation of negotiations and execution of agreements to county administrator.

This was the shelter item commission.

Oh, this is shelter. Keith Wley is behind that. Keith and I have been working with the city of Dade City and and many about this shelter and actually last year was one of our asks for the shelter last year. So, um, hopefully we'll be able to achieve that $20 million that we're looking for from the state to to match what we're going to match with $20 million is $40 million project. So,

very much needed on East Pasco and for a regional shelter to be able to help people from Hillsboro and Pine counties. I think it's very warranted for for what we're asking for for the state for for shelter for people coming off the coast.

Chair, I think we need to ask for a million for each degree of a temperature swing we have over [laughter] over a 24-hour period and then it would be fully fully funded. [laughter]

Yeah. But that's a good project that's coming and it it has a lot of emergency services with it that provides oxygen all for those people that that come here that need that care during the bad weather times and getting them off that coast. So absolutely and out of harm's way. So

we are supporting your

So I move approval. Second second more discussion.

Yes.

Um and I'm I'm very happy that we're moving this forward trying to get help from the state again. Uh hopefully they'll see it because what the people from the east side of the county went through was devastating. We know a lot of times when on the west side when a storm's coming in, storm surge coming, people don't want to go to Wesley Chapel. They don't want to go to Date City. So having it closer to where the people are is definitely a need. And there's so many other benefits to it to be multi-purpose. And I think we should add this with our u as far as we talk about what to do with federally as far as things. I think February when we go to DC for the uh NATO conference or before we add this into it as far as one on federal ass.

Yeah. And I'm thinking that we do a separate trip as well because sometimes it's so hard to watch.

I think part of this is getting the design ready and we're moving forward on

We still want to we still want to set the stage to ask for the money now to get ourselves a position because it takes time to get it anyway.

Yeah.

Okay. So, you want to make a motion?

Some move. You have a motion to second already.

Yeah. Oh, okay. Um, all in favor? I opposed. Thank you. C3737.

This is uh design and postdesign service for Curly Road sidewalk. the intersection.

Yeah, that that's been a roads have been needed for a long time and so we're going to get some of the sidewalks done in that area that like I say population is growing and more and more people need sidewalks to there or schools near that area too that that need the sidewalks for people to be able to walk to school and things of that nature. So,

is this funding coming from our federal funding? This is uh part of the legislative ask from

Oh, from last year. Okay. Excellent.

Yep.

Who's move approval?

Okay. Second.

All in favor? I

All right. C38, Commissioner Oakley.

All right. This one's

FDOT, Pasco Elementary, Fort King Road from Hester.

Oh, yeah. That's that's sidewalk we've been asking for for a long time. Right along Morningside Drive and and Fort King Road. Is this going to be a multi-use path or something? Is there already a multi-use path there?

I think this is Is it uh

because the trail the orange belt trail is coming up there?

Yeah, but it's not it's not the orange belt trail,

but aren't we bringing orange belt over to Morningside?

I don't know the

that's the route preferred route on the

Yeah, I don't think the overall route study has been blessed yet.

Well, then we're looking at I do not want to build a sidewalk that we're going to tear up and put a multi-use. What's go that I thought we all agreed it was coming to Morningside then Hook and what's the date city trail?

Uh Hardy Hardy

Hardy trail. Yes.

I don't know I don't know [clears throat] that route because I haven't been told that route on the on that trail.

I know it but I don't know.

Yeah. Can you put a map up please?

We're already tearing up a new sidewalk on Old 52. go to

see.

So, you know that that trail you're talking about, the Hardy Trail, it goes along the old railroad track red that goes down through Dade City. I know, but I understood the connector for Orange Belt that um

so I don't know where they're connecting that to

I think it's coming from Old 52 to Morning Side North.

Morning Side runs east and west.

Well, yeah,

I I don't know that road except for that discussion. Well, who who

we've been six years waiting on that mortgage side to be

I know, but

but maybe we just need it to be a little whiter.

So, where's the map?

And um do you is there anyone from

here?

Okay.

I don't [clears throat] think that's where it is.

Panosc assistant.

This is not where it is.

Services director. Um, the Harry Trail is to the east of uh of Fort King Road. [clears throat] So, it's it's not running. Excuse me. It's not running along Fort King.

Can we get that area up where we're talking about?

I'm working on it.

Okay. And then we'll need to see the proposed route for the orange belt.

Do you miss Joanna yet?

[laughter]

Keep going north.

It's by the high school, right?

There you go. Zoom in.

I'm learning.

Hickory Hills. See? Go left.

I don't think they're [laughter]

left.

It's over here on the board. Yeah,

there you go. [clears throat]

Just put the segment up between Pasco High School and

Clinton going to There you go. There's the school right there.

Yeah. So,

and the paragraphs.

So,

yes,

the route study for the orange belt orange belt trail is not yet finalized. So, we don't have a final [clears throat] alignment for that trail. Um, from what I know is it seems like the state 52 or now county road 52 alignment is the most predom predominant alternative, but we're not ready yet to recommend any alignment there. The stud is right now being finalized. It will [clears throat] be brought to you for a presentation, I believe, sometime in January or uh uh next year. So, uh in the meantime, like Commissioner Oakley mentioned, there is an existing need for pedestrians and students along Fort King Road. So this sidewalk will take provide a sidewalk from south of Advent Health all the way to Colon Road is about short of a mile of sidewalk and it will provide access to Pasco High and also to the fairground.

Madam Chair,

Madam Chair.

Yeah. No. So, is is I think I'm looking at the I was looking at the right thing and this I'm not sure if you want to put a pointer to where exactly we're talking about here, but is the trail that runs right now from the south running up to the north and it dead ends. Correct.

Hardy.

Is that

the Hardy trail? You can see it over to the right.

Okay.

Go up north of that arrow. North of There's the Hardy Trail, right?

Yeah. Hardy trail there. We've got to get

it will connect with the future.

All right. Is there something I'm talking about from the south now going to the north? Is there is there a road the trailer like stops at one point? Is that what we're talking about?

Harry trail. Yeah, it stops at some point and the extension of Morningside Drive which has a multi-use path will connect with Harry Trail and take it all the way to

So that connection to the south will now go on with some existing and go through and that trail is only about 7 or 8 ft wide. Correct.

Yes.

Okay. So it's going to be about the same width. the the

sidewalk project will be the same width as what's there.

It's about five feet. It's gonna be five foot sidewalk.

It's not

on No,

I don't know why we would do seven feet.

This is pedestrian sidewalk.

Yeah, I know. Two, you know, two two people

five feet. I mean, kids are going to be they're riding their bike to school. They're going to have to go off the road, off the trail into the grass.

All right. So, let's get back to If you would on the map, show us exactly where this thing is because I think you're I don't know if you're on the right or not. Hester. You see Hester there, Gina? Right below advent north to see all the way past the intersection of old San road.

It's after the apex there that the two roads converge

but I think some of that some of that sidewalk is 5 foot and some of it is six foot. So it's not it's not the trail yet.

This is all right. So just right along that

south south.

So Hardy will be a different thing that we can add on and make it wider and make that a trail as it's a trail.

That correct?

Is this being paid for with lap funding?

Yes.

With what funding?

The construction. Yes. And

so can you explain the local agency program in 30 seconds?

Yes. It's a basically they fund projects that are connected to uh safe routes to schools and things and those similar pro programs. So this money came for that purpose helping schools get better access for students.

So this is

who whose money is it? Federal money.

This these are the federal money through the program.

This sidewalk?

No, I don't think so. This did not go through the ranking process that we have at Mo.

I'm not sure. This was funded by the from uh the lab pro program. The design was funded through the lab program.

The lab program is is managed by the state. It is federal funds, but the lab program is is overseen by the state. And so,

have we ever done any?

We've done plenty of lap projects in this county.

Interesting. I don't remember hearing that one. Um, is there a way we can at least get that to six feet so two people can walk side by side or someone can pass someone safely on the sidewalk?

We will we will look into it. Uh, there may be right of way issues and usually that's what keeps us from going to six feet. Usually our purpose and intent is to give as much uh width as we can but most of the time we are limited by the right of way and that's when we go to the minimum which is 5T but we will we will look into it. I think I think part of it is scheduled to be five feet, but another part is six foot.

So, I don't know which part

that might be right on side, but right along there, there's no sidewalk. There's a lot walk to the high school right there.

Yeah. And kids ride a lot of different kind of motorized things to school these days. And if you can't pass each other safely, it causes

Oh, I understand.

emergency issues when one of them has to,

you know, And to that point, Commissioner, you have an item later on in today's agenda where we're looking at pedestrian standards across all of our collectors and arterials. So, I think, you know, that move too will set the stage to have less of these to have to deal with in the future.

It it'd be good to um take this and actually go back and and look at it and see where the orange trail is going to come in and it' be good to have that knowledge for both actually.

Okay. So,

yeah,

take that back and report back.

Yes,

Commissioner Mariana. All right. So, I would I would say that, you know, what we're working at I and I just drove up this road again. I've been down there when all the all the flooding that we had where the people or the low areas had been out of the homes for like like months. This air hole area is low. The area that's alongside the road is is very narrow. So, I'm sure that it is tight to to that because it's tough to get the sidewalk in, but I think it's a much needed sidewalk because it's a it's a dangerous road to have kids out on it. So, I I'm going to support it to uh move on to it. And when we do the Hardy Road, the Hardy Trail, let's make sure we continue that on because it's a it's a nice trail that just like stops. Yes. So that'd be nice to carry that on.

Well, that's how that's how the or the the way the orange belt trail is getting to with Luchi State Trails connecting to the Hardy Trail.

Yeah. And that's and that's good. But this separate need separate thing and it's a good setup.

But I would like to say I would like to look for money from somewhere to make it all six feet. If we have to buy more right away, let's find the money. And

you're going to take away you're going to take away drainage. You going to take away drainage? We try.

Yeah, there's a number of challenges. I know it's this may seem like a sidewalk, but nobody wants to walk through a sidewalk that's underwater either. And so drainage, rightway width, those types of things do come into play and looking at clear zones. So they have a number of challenges that they that they'll go through, but we'll report back on on this particular one and just know that the staff does have an eye to the future, understands what the board's wishes are when it comes to these sorts of things. So I think that good be report back and see where the orange belt trail plays into this so we make sure that Hardy connection all trail connection gets gets done the right way. So but that approval

second.

All in favor? I

I

Okay. Uh C53. Uh, ma'am, I thought Commissioner Oakley and I both kind of had this um had this one removed, but I'd like to bring Keith Wy up to give the board a brief presentation on on the importance of this conservation effort.

Yep.

Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the board. Keith Wy, director of parks, recreation, natural resources. And Mike, you're right. This should have been a regular item because this is a big deal. So,

very very Yeah, very big deal. Uh, largest acquisition the Elan program has processed to date. um little little over 1,900 acres. Um just a quick uh recap, you know, the Elant program's targeting to purchase and protect lands within the ecological corridors, those areas you see up here on this map. Um this is why this is so special is it's actually one entire corridor plus extra. So uh very very important connection between Crossbar Albbar uh property Connor preserve and obviously also connects through the [clears throat] Cypress Creek corridor to the uh the property to the northeast. We are partnering with the state. It's the family rural lands protection program. So this is going to be a 50-50 acquisition. The funding agreement in front of you today um should hopefully get us to closing in January. So that's exciting to be able to partner with the state in a program that they prioritize and is very important to them. This is just a map of the actual ranch itself. The dotted lines are the actual ecological corridor that is that was mapped out and identified in the cop plan, but is also actually attached to the ecological corridor ordinance and land development code. So as you can see, you're connecting u both major portions to the north and to the south. The team also has worked with FDOT to ensure that there's a um an actual upland wildlife crossing when they do widen State Road 52. We participated in the actual design of that crossing. We're also going to be contributing to the funding of that. So when you when you line up all this together, it's something very very uh exciting and something that we should be proud of. This acquisition is going to bring the Elamp inventory well over 8,000 acres to date since 2005. that does not include the other acreage, park acreage, um, that we manage for the water management district. So, total inventory is almost 30,000 acres that your parks department and conservation team actually oversees and manages. So, again, something we probably need to talk about more quite honestly that we don't. I know Commissioner Waitman, you've pulled some items in the past. Commissioner Oakley, thank you for highlighting this. Um, I'm actually going to go back to this because this is important. So the ecological quarter ordinance technically through through the LDC when an applicant is going to actually uh increase density it it causes us uh an opportunity to negotiate with them. As you can see what what the team outlined here is the total residential units and the commercial entitlements that was basically you know uh being proposed for this property through the purchase of a conservation easement. We're going to basically be protecting I would say 90% of what was originally proposed. So that's pretty impressive. With that, I just want to thank you for the highlight. If there's any of

course you know what I'm going to ask,

go ahead, Commissioner May.

All right. So it says it's going to decrease our residential units by 225 units.

Yes.

Not but still a total of 3500.

So I don't actually have those numbers in front of me unless the team knows. But I I think that Yes. So there's so to the west there's going to still be residential entitlements

in area one.

Yes.

Which is not part of which is not part of this.

No.

It's not part of it. Yes.

This is the actual looking at

the other parts of Okay.

So um

we're the we're the main ranch is what purchasing.

I I got enough

and so that won't be developed any any further than what it is. And uh it's very good. open space for in our county and it's in district one east Pasco County and we have very rural nature of all the people in this area want to keep rural and keep open space.

It just adds to that open [laughter] just to the west of this property. uh they have a residential area there, but then you have uh some large lots, lodge homes to give you more open space in in this district. And the fact of it is that it's very important for citizens. Palmetal Ridge is going to be developed, but it's a 3600 acre to the west of this property. 3,600 acres that only 1,800 acres will be developed, and you have 1,800 acres there that'll also be open space that connects to this property. So, um, it's very good that we have a lot of open space in in some of our areas in the county.

Commissioner Whiteman.

Yeah. Thanks, Chair. Yeah. You know, it all starts, and I'll say it every time, it all starts with a willing land owner

to sell their property at a significant price reduction. Kirkland's, the Phillips. And so just again on the record, thank thank the Phillips family and 4G for their willingness to explore the opportunity and then take action um to connect the corridors and and preserve here in Pasco. And uh so you know, land owners out there, if you're listening, we'd love to talk to you if you have if you have something

and um but but thank you to the land owners who choose to participate in our el program and the in the uh work with the Florida Department of A. Commissioner Oakley.

Well, I left out one thing about it and and it does take good partners to be able to do good things for the county. Um the Phillips family have been very plus on being a great partner for Pasco County and a lot of different ways and reclaim water that we put out there 2 million gallons a day and uh takes care of issues out there and the water issues and helps the environment come back. uh so many things that and the federal family's been a part of. They're probably the number one group on our emergency list for when we have troubles. They step up and and come and help us. So, uh we've been great partners for a long time and we're going to continue to be. So, it's very good and thank thank the family for for their efforts and putting this property up for sale.

Absolutely. Um can you go back to the other map? So, um, Keith, we had worked with, is that where the original corridor was?

Yes.

Okay. So, we had worked with them when they were doing their plan on the multi-use, you know, the trail that would go up connect 52 to Crossbar and Elvar,

right?

Um, and that's still allowed. I mean, we haven't lost that connection, right?

No, we have not.

Okay. Um, and I I too want to thank the uh, Phillips family. And I want to let you all know uh, Avis recently had a pretty serious um, surgery and we she's recovering well and we sent her our best wishes for a speedy recovery or she'd be down here already. So, uh, I thought I'd be hanging out with my buddy already, but she won't be down for another month. Um, and also the uh the county's paying half and the rural lands program that Commissioner Simpson started, I believe, is paying the other half. So, this is a joint

purchase. So, I move approval.

We're very grateful. All in favor?

I.

All right. Thank you.

Thank you.

That's a big acquisition right there.

Okay. We are now on to the RS. No, that that clock is an hour off.

I know that's uh I do need to say uh to someone this clock is an hour off. It's been throwing me off and I have to remember. Um but it says it's 12:22 and it's 11:22. Okay, so we are on to R55.

Good morning. David Engel, planning and economic development director. Today I'm very happy to present to you a economic incentive agreement. It's a it's always a happy experience to bring these projects to the board, but this is extra special because Vantage Point AI is in a existing business in Pasco County. They've been here for decades and as well as a happy opportunity to present an agenda item. It's also a celebratory agenda item. So, I'm going to go through the uh project very quickly, outline the economic incentives that we are proposing for the project. Then, Turner Arbor of the Pasco Economic Development Council will speak uh giving you some history regarding the project. And Mr. Lane Mendelson, the president and CEO of Vantage Point AI, will be uh wrapping up uh to answer questions and just give you a little bit of history on the business. The property in question is located in Wesley Chapel. It's just due east of I75 in a business area and uh Vanishoint AI is purchasing this building and going to renovate it and and inside and create an opportunity here for um 60 new full-time jobs coming in into this uh facility. this those jobs will be highpaying at 150% of the average uh Pasco average wage and uh the total employment that's the direct of the 60 people is direct indirect is businessto business induced is um businesses have to expand when demand um is expanding here in the county it totals 85 jobs uh here in the county the annual contribution to the gross county product this will be every year once it's built out. $23.4 million to our local economy. And this is a a very standardized economic incentive deal. $331,047 total. The predominant amount of the incentive will be $240,000 for the 4-year payout of the job creation incentive. And might I add that all of these incentives are maximums and are all performance-based. You have to produce the job. shows the W TWS and we pay out 25% a year for four years. Because it is a enormous uh highpaying opportunity here for the county, we're giving a high impact fee bonus of $61,047. That's a break on the advalorum taxes paid out over 10 years. 50% of the advalorum rebate in years 1 through five and then 25% 6 through 10. And lastly, we have a $30,000 max uh grant training um uh incentive to allow these new employees to be in uh brought in here and um and trained properly. This is a target industry. It's a um it's a software service. They have um uh market capital market forecasting algorithms and artificial intelligence which they train people to use and benefit for for for their businesses and portfolios. So I'd like to introduce uh Pasco EDC Mr. Arbor.

Good morning commissioners chair uh turn of the Pasco EDC. It's great to be with you on this uh Wednesday morning. a cold Wednesday morning. Uh, Vantage Point AI is exactly the kind of project that Pasco County uh, sets out to attract in our high industry or high technology industries. And most people don't know that we have quite a few high-tech companies here in Pasco. And we're excited to highlight one today. U, this company is investing over $4 million in purchasing and renovating a 10,000 foot building in Wesley Chapel. and they're going to create 60 new jobs over the next three years in uh in disciplines like AI programming, customer support in uh AI and in the finance industry. While artificial intelligence is often viewed as replacing jobs, this is a great example of a company that's creating jobs through AI. So, we're really excited to see that. And technology is something that flows throughout all of our target industries so that we're going to hopefully have more companies like this uh in the future. And this is a great testament to Paso County's environment for these companies to grow and expand and helps us on the front of recruiting more companies like this to the region. Hopefully not your competitors but others in the same industry. Um we're really excited for the project. Uh uh they've already began to hire some of the jobs. And with that, I'd like to bring up Lane talk a little bit about the company, multigenerational company here in Pasco County. And uh Good morning everybody. Um really glad to be here. This is a very exciting time because we're growing and uh growth can be sometimes a little uh scary when you're stepping out doing something new and expanding. We're also at the same time as we're growing we're really making a push towards um having inoff staff again.

Yeah. Cuz

um yeah, we're doing it in a little bit of a unique way. We're not requiring anybody who's remote. We do have quite a few people remote. None of them are going to be required to come in office. So, we're saying, hey, if you're if you're productive and you're doing well in your remote position, we're going to allow you to stay remote, but we're going to start hiring uh in office. And it's just we found it to be better from a teamwork perspective, from communication perspective, accountability, and um that is part of our growth plan. So part of it is um growing the numbers but also growing the numbers in an environment where we can all collaborate and have better teamwork and and communication. I want to start by saying that uh thank you to my dad. My dad is here.

Um

if it wasn't for him, I literally would not be here today. So thank you for for for [laughter] everything for being a great father. And uh he's taught me a lot about business. He's taught me a lot about integrity, a lot about how to communicate with people and have good relationships with people. And uh and that's what I I've learned and I'm passing on to my daughters as well. Um and thank you for um having the the the insight and the foresight and the innovation to start a a software company in 1979. Um I wasn't around in 1979. I came on the scene in 1980, but my dad said that when he told his father-in-law, my grandfather, "Yeah, I'm going to start a software company. I'm going to leave my job as a hospital administrator and I'm going to start a software company. My grandfather said, um, nobody has computers. Who is going to want your software? And, uh, my father said, they will. It will come. You'll see. And, uh, and we we can see how things have progressed. So, uh, over the past 46 years that we've had the the family business, uh, we've been here in Pasco since 1987. And you can imagine as as running a family business, there's ups, there's downs. It's not always easy, but um we've persevered and um we I think are in the best position now, more so than ever. We've learned so much about how to operate in different environments uh in different generationals of of of of employment and staffing and with technology and um like Turner said, we are not using AI to replace people. We're using AI to take people who are talented and help them to better leverage their talent. And and I think that's going to be another key to our growth. So, I'm very excited about that. I want to thank uh Mr. Mike Corbalo when I reached out to him and said, "We want to grow and we, you know, want to see what we can do to grow in Pasco." He was kind enough to direct me over to David Engel who was uh very helpful and put me in touch with Turner and Turner and and Bill Cronin did a great job um helping to package everything up and helping uh me to communicate to them what our growth strategy and growth plans are and and get us to this point. And I just want to say thank you to all of you for your support of of me personally and my family and our business and and also to to all of you. Uh I know all of you and I appreciate all of you and thank you for for what you do. Not just for for me, my family, for our business, but for all the things that you do in the county. Very proud to be here. I love being here. Um moved here when I was seven. First thing I did when it was time for me to move out of my mom and dad's house, I bought the property behind them. And um and I have enough property around me now that I would love it if both of my daughters would say, "Dad, I'd love to live right there, right near you." And and I think I think the plan is working. I think we're there. Um you know, 15 and 12, they're not making those decisions yet, but they're they're definitely talking about the future and being here and being

productive members uh here in Pasco County. And uh and I assure you that um as our company continues to grow and flourish, we'll continue our charitable giving and continue to invest back in the community that has invested in us. And um I don't take any of this that uh that is that has been put together. I don't take any of this for granted. Uh I take it very seriously. I know it's a responsibility that I have to lead and grow the company and I don't take that lightly and I will give 110% to make sure that we not only hit these numbers of growth and and help to employ people at these higher levels uh of salary but but even exceed that. So, thank you so much.

Thank you.

Yes, Commissioner Oakley.

Okay. I've known Lane for a long time. I um I think the first time I ever ran for election, Lane had me come to his office there on Pasco Road and I I spoke to his employees there. That was pretty exciting for me. Um but we've been friends forever ever since and family friends. Been out to dinner, celebrated a lot of different things, celebrated his kids doing a lot of different things because one I think Rachel had her had a steer and I happened to buy that steer last year. That's right. So, uh, his name was Johnny Cash. I can eat the steaks, but my wife can't because had a name. So,

[laughter]

uh, but the fact of it is a lot of different things they're involved in really are things that children aren't to grow up in. And Aby's especially all Aby's done with the two good souls of monies that have come from that through through his children and through his family of all they're doing working with the county and citizens of the county to to make things better and also to bring up young young future adults and citizens that will care about the county and the citizens in this county. And those two girls are really go a long ways because they're they certainly appreciate all they've been able to do. So we're very thankful for all that you do.

Thank you,

Mr. W. Yeah. What's what's this year's steer's name?

Uh

Toby Beef.

Toby Beef. [laughter]

Mr. Oakley to Toby Beef. He's your name on it come come January February time frame. No, I was talking we were talking with Mike yesterday and whenever we you know we see these uh we have these votes from time to time the conversation came up that out of out of all the all the the projects that have been approved the return on investment with you all is [clears throat] probably what would you say turner best out there? I know the organization previous organization standpoint.

So yeah, and it just shows and it's not just not just with your with your business acumen, but but what you guys do, you know, with your philanthropy and and just giving back and all your allin investment from family to your business to helping others in need throughout our our county. and um just makes me very proud and honored to know you all and watch your girls grow up and see what they're involved in and hopefully have uh couple of young girls that you know Jamie will be eight Thanksgiving. Somebody to look up to as she continues to to grow and and and be involved in our community. So very glad that you all here today. Thank you for your continued investment and your growth here in the county and uh we're proud to help you where we can.

Thank you.

Commissioner Yeah, I want to say just I I've been on your calls with your staff and just shout out to your staff that obviously it starts at the top with your leadership how excited they are to give back and that is just like I said comes comes from you guys and um we are blessed to have you in our community and our community looks different because you guys are in it. So thank you so much for everything. I look forward to working with you on Grace's food pantry this next quarter. I'm very very excited. So great job.

Thank you.

Mariana,

thank you. I want to say Mr. Mendelson, you did a great job raising a great son who's raising a great family. I mean, Mandy and the girls, what you got going on is just amazing. It's it's story books as as as great as it is. So, thank you that end all the all you do with good souls and all your other things to help out. Greatly appreciate it. You're always always giving back, looking to what you can do to better the community and you're teaching your girls along the way to do the same, which is phenomenal. So, I know I know they're going to do great. Um just like to highlight for the board uh this company is phenomenal and co affected him dramatically. Yeah.

The building he had on Old Pasco Road all of a sudden the people didn't want to come in.

Uh didn't want to [clears throat] come back in. Obviously with CO they couldn't didn't want to come back in. Ends up having a great situation financially to have someone else take over the building. But then he's looking to come back in. He can't find a place nearby like he wanted to be in the same area. Like we looked at that place at Overpass Road in Old Pasco. We said there's office space there. And I was telling you guys that there's people out there and told the developer that people need fe simple office space that they can go invest in and bring the company in. They don't want to just come in and rent from somebody and do something.

So I'm going to tell you what he had to go through to get to this building shouldn't have happened in a sense. We've got to make sure we keep on wish helping gentlemen like this to have opportunities to be able to land their business where they want to land it and not just convert things to apartments because we're getting pressure or other things that you know would go on. We need to make sure with these office things come in because this target industry as commissioner wait just mentioning it sets up a base for economics where you get the core you get the highincome people coming in and that leads to other great things all around between demographics of homes they can buy and want to buy between businesses want to locate here and help this county grow in a strong way and that's been uh something I've been proud of to that we great work we've done but there's more we can do because right now with what you just went through shouldn't have happened we should had some more space available So, I think we keep that focus that the opportunities are there. Don't listen to developers looking trying to make the quick buck. We got to help guys like this guy and the great companies got going on. So, I'm I'm very excited that this is coming forward. Uh I think it's going to be great that you're going to bring people in and you're going to you're going to actually double the size of your business in a sense because you get the people going to still work remote, but now you get people coming in too. And again, I think it's it's kind of like helping you almost like they cut the head with the snake too, come back. Well, that's what that's what's going on here. So, I think what you're going to do is going to be phenomenal. I have no doubt you're going to meet the expectations here and you probably look for another building. So, good luck and thank you for being in Pasco County. You're a great man.

Thank you.

Well, uh I'm going to say I think I was the first commissioner to meet you.

Do you think?

Because it would have been before Oakley. I know it was before Oakley, but he's been here longer than me. But I think you called me and said, "Hey, I'm a friend of Will Weatherfords. I need to talk to you. I want you to come to my business." And um anyway,

then we did the comm the commissioner's baby shower.

Yes. And you did the comm commissioner's baby shower for a number of years at our at our market where we we raised uh uh money and um supplies for the um sunshine group that works with foster kids and uh you know when they were taken out of their homes lots of times the foster parents didn't have any supplies to take care of these babies. So we we were helping them. Um, well, I I can't say anything more than my fellow commissioners have said. I think you set the bar for how to help your community to be a better place and um, generationally, I'm excited to watch your family. Um, you've done you've just you're just the shining star really. You you have set the example for others to follow and it'll be hard to follow in your family's footsteps. So, I'm excited for you and um let's take a motion and get this project going.

Move approval.

Um ma'am, just a little housekeeping. The

Office of Economic uh growth recommends approval of this economic incentive. Thank [laughter] you.

We Okay, we had a motion and a second. So, all in favor? I opposed. Nays.

No pressure.

No.

No pressure.

Um so, great job. Congratulations.

Thank Thank you all. Okay. No, I'm going to keep moving because we're we're we're going late here.

Yeah,

I think we take a picture.

All right, we'll do a quick deal.

Down back fast, guys. You want to

everyone? Sorry.

Very modern. I mean, it was Okay, let's go over this contract. Who's presenting? Mike,

it's this afternoon.

I think originally they wanted to hear this this afternoon. Uh since the board would have to adopt the search charges in order to do it this afternoon. I didn't have that on my notes.

Sorry about that.

Oh, to be heard after P68. I got it. Okay. Commissioner Oakley. Commissioner items.

Okay.

I went deer hunting. I did not shoot anything, but I saw a lot of deer. [laughter] The only 10pointer I I saw was on camera and it was 3:30 in the morning. So, I didn't get it. So, anyway,

didn't use a spotlight.

It was good relaxing. but went and visited with uh uh public works on their quarterly meeting and I think you went to one over in Mr. Stark who went to a quarterly meeting not this one but the 911

and they look like they're paying attention.

Yep. And well they do they're they're very good. They they give out awards for for the year of service in the county and there's so many different moving parts in the public works area that you you walk in there it's just just amazing at all the good works and good things that happen from a group of people and that's only part of them because there's a lot more than could fit in that room that works in public works around. So they do a great job and I certainly appreciate you being able to be there and speak to them. So, I'm really grateful for all they do all over for our citizens. So, that's it.

Okay. Commissioner, wait me.

Well, I have to brag. University of South Florida.

Oh, we're not talking. We are first time in the college playoffs. We made it.

So, go Bulls. It's exciting to see.

Is that why you're wearing green?

Tie. Yeah. [laughter] Right here. Something to root for. They got a ball team.

Oh yeah. Oh yeah.

Just checking.

Greatest kicker country about right now. Um thank want to thank the school board for having their uh their round table. Many of us were there. Uh a nice nice gathering of folks at St. Leo and thank thank you to St. Leo for hosting us. Um and then Kathy if Kathy would mind might come up put you on spot. two good souls um event last week, two weeks ago, seems recent, but uh Melson's [laughter] always contribute and um he and the girls were there and and they represented the private sector side. Congrat Mike Wells, they they won. They they had the most shoes, but just phenomenal event. Figure we talk about had some nice there.

Kathy Pearson, assistant county administrator of public services. Commissioner Weightman, thank you for being there. Your speech was very inspirational. So, thank you. Um, 10 years I use this as a my grandson just turned 13. When we started this, he was three. So, 10 years we've been doing this. This is behalf of the whole um county is all our constitutional officers that are involved, our amazing staff. We have collected so far to date, I think it's close to 24,000 pairs of shoes and over almost 55 56,000 pairs of socks. We almost hit the 3,000 mark this year with shoes and I think it was um I don't know 56,000 on socks. So, you know, we started this 10 years ago. We were really wondering, man, is this going to work? Is this really going to happen? And when you hear the social workers every single year that they come here and the case workers and they were picking out shoes for these kids, they'll tell you there are kids that still have tape around their sneakers. They cut their toes off the shoes because they don't fit.

This is really a blessing and they these shoes will be gone by Christmas. So on beh be behalf of all you almost won by the way. We snuck you out. Public services snuck you out a little bit. But you know I want to do say uh Lane Mendelson every year he donates.

We only almost won because Lane chose to join the commission this year. Two good souls went to me this year went to me and went to you guys. So we got to find another lane.

Lane, you want to talk about two good souls and what it means to to your family and you're supporting it. Two good souls.

Absolutely. Come on.

Without lane.

Abby is our spokesperson now and I'm confident when I'm long and gone she will continue the tradition. So

yeah, um it was uh really interesting because guess 5 years ago we met Kathy at the um grand opening of the first family homeless shelter in Pasco and um Rachel was there. You were there.

Yeah.

And my daughter Rachel was I don't know 10 maybe 11. And we had packaged up 70 75 backpacks full of toys and games and hats and little watches and coloring books so that when a family would come and check in. Not a not a good day obviously, but the kids were greeted with, "Hey, here's a backpack." Almost like you're, you know, here's a welcome gift, swag bag. And um Rachel felt really connected to that and she felt really good about that. It was something that she had read that another kid had done in another state. And Miss Kathy came up to me and said, "Oh, it' be great if you guys could participate with with Two Good Souls. Maybe next year." I said, "Okay, well, why next year?" And she said, "Well, our event is next month." This was September and October was Two Good Souls. I said, "Why can't we why can't we do it this year?" She said, "Well, it's a it's only a month away." I said, "We can we can get shoes and socks in a month. That's that's not a problem." So, that was our first year getting involved. And um and I said to Abby, "Would you like to work on this with me cuz she saw Rachel uh packing the backpacks and she saw Rachel getting excited about it and talking about it. So, this was a really great opportunity for Abby to have her thing and she felt she's like, "Yeah, absolutely. I'm really excited about this. Let's do it." So, we um you know, I was thinking, okay, we're going to do this. You know, we kind of move around and help different organizations, but Aby's like, I want to do it every year. And so, she's like the ambassador of Two Good Souls. And um I'll also say that um her public speaking skills have improved because um Miss Kathy gives Abby an opportunity to talk in front of people each year and she writes a speech and she practices it and so it's really it's really become part of her identity and she loves the fact that she's helping kids and she gets to talk about it with other people and she even uh last year at one of our events Abby was talking about it and and how much it means to her and afterwards one of one of our customers came up to Abby and said, "I want to donate. You inspired me. How do I donate? I want to give $2,000 and buy shoes in your honor." And Abby was so excited like she she called Kathy's like, "I got more money coming in. We can buy more shoes." And um so it really um her her positivity and her desire to help became contagious in a good way. And and um it's yeah, it's been fantastic and in many ways. So really appreciate it.

One more person I want to thank. If you ever see Jacques Hum in our community,

we couldn't do it without him. We partner with him. He gets us discounted amount of shoes and I think how many? 500 pairs of shoes.

We need to get him on our team as well because I think he's on Wells team, right?

No. [clears throat]

No. I think was on Wells team.

yeah. Please.

Does he have a permit going through? [laughter]

Very instrumental in our community as you all know. But we were able to buy more shoes because of him. And one more note I want to just say to Lane, you know, it has been a pleasure and an honor watching watching Abby grow. It brings tears to my eyes. You know, she's 12 now. She was seven when she started, right? Seven. And the maturity. I feel like I feel like part of their family. That's how they make you feel. You feel part of them. So, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you.

And and Kathy, the the the greatest need for shoot What were the sizes of the middle? big ones.

So, we tried to get bigger sizes. We do have smaller, but it's mostly for the um you know, sizes eight and nine and up because those are the kids that sometimes get forgotten about. We do plan on coming back in January with some of the social workers and we'll have a little film and obviously invite Abby back so you can honor them sometime in January or February. We're working out those details. So, thank you all.

10 years. Congratulations to everybody who's been involved from from its uh from its from its startup and um wonderful work. So that's all I have to

uh commissioner. Okay. All right. Well um I just have to wait for Gina to get back.

It's okay.

We can start with what I'm um I just handed everybody. She's going to put it up. I'm um

doing a thing stockings for seniors. So, we are trying to service 115 seniors that are in the congregate dining um through the county. So, we are trying to bless them. And these are some of the items that we are trying to collect. So, I have flyers if anybody would like to help. We're going to have a box um at our office. If you'd like to drop things off, that'd be great. So, and I have flyers if anybody wants one. Okay. Next, I have a bunch and I will be super quick because it's been busy. Okay, so this was um I'll let Commissioner Starky. I'll skip this one. I'll let Commissioner Starky um explain that that's her baby. Okay, so we have partnered with One-Stop Shop and a special shout out to Parks. Onetop shop is in Dade City. So, we have [clears throat] been able to bless this organization and give them a ton of resources for Dade City. I believe there's another slide on this one. So this grandma in Dade City had nothing. So we were be able we were able to provide her with a couch, the two chairs, the coffee table, a table, things for her bathroom, things for her bedroom, and she her apartment was literally empty. So she was so excited. So next one. This was our legislative um partnership with um Superintendent Le. This was very informative and um Seth was there and um all the different um people in the community. It was very good. Hopefully they'll do it again next year.

Pretty neat, wasn't it?

Yeah,

it was really neat.

You know, one of my suggestions was I think they should explain what their millillage does

because that was something that I think would be helpful for for everybody at least, you know. So, okay, next slide. Okay, this is so much fun. Shout out to every single um employee that dressed up for the seniors. Their costumes were amazing. I'm telling you, District 4, we are bringing it next year because I had no clue this [laughter] was a thing. But the washer and the dryer and the hot dog vendor operation, all the staff really gets into it. Um the the the everybody loved it. It's so much fun. So, shout out to Brian and Kathy and that entire team because this was this was so fun. Okay, next one. And then right after that, we went to the Vincent House for the chili cookoff and they're about to put up a bunch of housing which is really exciting. So, Gus got them the funding for that. So, that was it. That was just such a fun day. So, next one.

Who won? Commissioner Jagger.

I don't know because I don't eat chili. Uh this is the Gold Star family uh breakfast. This was absolutely beautiful. I have the information in my car, but if you'd like to buy a brick for it, it's $100 and it pretty memorial. Great cause. It was absolutely beautiful. Next slide.

Okay, this was the area of Agent Lunchin and um Brian um was actually at another table when I I hijacked him and said, "Come sit by us." So, this was amazing and they raised a lot of money for a great cause. Okay. Oh, this was our So, we had a this is our second health fair with um the Department of Health and Mafett brought the the lung screening bus and Feeding Tampa Bay came. We fed 112 families. There were 20some mammograms. People had immunizations and all all sorts of things. So, this was amazing and um I can't wait to do another one. So, there's that. This was the home dedication. They had seven homes they were dedicating. So it was very it was a beautiful beautiful day. So next slide. So this was paint the night blue for Pasco Kids First. Um there's not a picture here, but the artist who he's very famous, has photos all over the world, but he was abused as a child and that's how he kind of got into art. It was very moving, very emotional. Okay, next one.

What's the location of that?

That was at the Greek Orthodox Church.

Damian Stuck is

Oh, Damian Stuck. Thank you. Is he he's local? Is he based?

But he's everywhere. Like he's he's everywhere. Um all over the country.

Yep. Mara Lago, TPO, USA, all sorts of things.

Is he a Pasco resident?

Tampa Bay. He is so Yep. Okay. And then this was I did the welcome for the delegation. And that was great. And I think that's it. Is that it? I have one more thing I'm just sending to texting Gina real quick. I just wanted to show you this lady. I I did the Veterans Day Gina. I just sent you a text. Um I don't know if you just put it up on the screen, but I met this lady um and she served three different branches. So she was in the Army, the Air Force, and the Marines. And then when she retired, she was a Philadelphia police officer. So, it was it was a real honor to meet her and she lives uh right here in Pasco County. So, I just wanted to if you can't get it, Gina, it's no big deal. But she was just a super cool lady and I'd never met anybody that had served in three branches. She was very funny. She said, "I tried going in the Navy, but they told me I was overweight or else I would have been in another branch."

So, all right, Commission Mariano.

All right. I got a few pictures. Um all of you want to bring them up, Jan. go along. Uh I was over Sadden Brook and all the discussion about the golf course, the changes they're going to make going from 36 to 27, uh how they were going to make holes better. I'm going to tell you, they delivered on the nine holes I played the other day. Um the designers like made some great changes. The condition of not only the Saddle Brook course itself, um but even the one they haven't renovated yet, the Saddle Brook back nine. The greens are absolutely perfect.

Really,

absolutely perfect. Um the pool has now been renovated where they got a brand new shelters out there. They re redressed everything that looks good. The pool has been redone. Just a phenomenal the the uh amenities are are just incredible. So what they've been doing to promise to bring forward it's going to be a great great addition for the county and and really elevating uh the resort up. Next page. Um, so watching Fox News the other day, you know, after just coming and I'll I'll talk to Amskills their uh training thing they had. There is such a shortage of workers and we've known this from in Tampa Bay with this like 3,200 jobs could have been filled just a while ago. This is the nation now and they say, you know, listen to Jim Farley from the president of CEO of Ford talking about how people is it's it's almost those other gentlemen on it. They're saying for every five workers that are retired, there's only two replacing in the workforce.

So everything that I think we're doing at MS skills is critical and we need to expand. And I'm going to be working real hard with the Hudson Industrial Park up by Hicks Road and Hudson A to make sure we bring a giant building in there before we get [snorts] heating, AC, plumbing, uh, as well as all the M skills for manufacturing coming on. But look at the shortage that's going on right now. And I think I think there's not going to be an opportunity, Mike, to reach out to the car dealerships that are right here because they have such a shortage as well. And there's good paying jobs that are out there that we need to kind of reach out and and jump into the market as well. And I think if we needed to, we could reach out to Ford and we probably get them to join right with us to help us sponsor some of this. I think they would.

Yeah, they have a foundation.

They they I think they would love it. And I plan to make that reach out, but I wanted to kind of just share with you what's going on there. All right. Next, um the paint and night blue. What a what what a great event. You had the picture from the outside. That was the picture from the inside. You see the place is absolutely packed.

Yeah, that's awesome.

Uh just a phenomenal event. Pasco Kids First, they're one of our beneficiaries for the opioid money, etc. But doing a great job and it's great to see the community support and they ran a really really good program. Uh the MS skills had the graduation. Mike, I had no idea it's nine years we've been working with training on utility workers down there. Uh, and I'll tell you, one by one, he had a bunch of those people come up and talk about how it affected their lives. There was a dad there that was brought there after his son took the course. The dad was being changed out of a job. He's, "Dad, you need to come down here and take the course." And to hear him spill his guts about how great it was to do it and the encouragement he gave him. There was a couple of other ladies a little bit older that were in there, too. And then some young kids. One kid was in high school and he'd done one of the programs over the summer and he says, "I want to skip my senior year and go to work for utilities right now." [laughter]

Oh.

And uh

we won't let him.

So they they said, "No, that's exactly right." So the manager said, "No, you're going to go back to school. You finished. And when you graduate, you come see me." When the kid's at his graduation, he actually calls the manager up and says, "I've graduated. Now I want to come to work."

I love it.

He had a five-year plan and he executed every one of those plan. He wanted to get married. his high school sweetheart, wanted to have a home, want to have a car, want to have a boat,

and I think it was one more thing in there. And he met all his goals and is now Oh, and being promoted to a fullman at that time. So, really just what they're doing is creating jobs, creating opportunities to make things happen. Uh, and I and I just was so enthused to see it happen and how your team, Mike, was so enthused about, you know, making all this work to help their own force. Next one. Um, and I was at the Gold Star breakfast and I want to talk about that gold star breakfast which you guys heard while you were there. Um, so I was sitting with Judy Kennedy who's one of the big sponsors that was put up the money as well as a bench for her uh her late husband John F. Kennedy at Veterans Memorial. Those monuments that uh between Mike Wells and and Jock uh absolutely phenomenal, weren't they? I mean it is just great. They gave little miniature replicas to the to the families there. It was just such an awesome celebration. Tom Castriota great gave a great speech and uh it was like two nights ago before that Judy and I were talking about uh you know how about fundraising and trying to get the one for Wesley Chapel as well. I says well let's go around a golf tournament and uh it was so funny. I hadn't even set the date or anything else up and Judy comes out at at it as you heard and says yeah and Jack Mariano's gonna run a golf tournament. So, I'm going to run a golf tournament. And uh Mike, you may I think we talked about this, maybe not, but uh I want to run it when I do the Scolop and Seafood Fest. I want to run it the Friday that we kick it off. So, it's going to be Fourth of July weekend. Perfect for Gold Star. Perfect for tie in. Yeah.

So, we get everybody who's played in the Gulf. We'll bring them right over to that and just really kind of make this thing go for that big 250 year celebration that Park wants to do. And I think it's going to be a great kickoff. So, we're going to help hopefully have enough money to fund that next one by the by the

Rick. I think that's pretty cool.

I'm I'm going to buy a brick with my dad. So, yes.

Yeah. Very cool.

All right, next one. Uh that was a picture of just some of the outside stuff. The the VA was there. Uh they had some nice uh um vehicles out there to kind of fire everybody up. Next. Um so part of the reason I missed some of the stuff that you guys were doing, which was great for the community, uh my wife and I, we celebrated our 30 fourth anniversary on the hill.

Yeah. The Acropolis up there, Parthonon. I'll tell you I I I tell you the history of the world and starting they say civilization starting in that era the stuff that I saw I saw seven different trips never mind kind of what we saw in Athens itself was just amazing um very historical and it's now got me reading back into like uh Ephesians Colossians and I got the Bible out my wife's watching the stories I'm kind of reading along to see what like Paul went through etc saw where he was kept prisoner so but the history there was just amazing and and the people there were crazy and the food was great too. So, she was uh very deserving of that. I don't have a picture for her yet, but maybe in the afternoon break I'll have it. But I wanted to take a picture. I was uh speaking at the uh uh the Arapa Elks over in Hudson invited me to talk yesterday for the Veterans Day celebration. And I really wasn't sure how deep I was going to go, what I was going to get into to talk. And when I walk in there, the first thing I see is all the landscaping grant that they used for out in front really dressed up the place fantastic. I mean the place looks great. It looks absolutely beautiful for an old industrial air etc. Just like makes it pop. So I walk in there and don't I see the gentleman who's the driver for the steps to recovery veterans program.

So I see him there. We talk for a minute. He goes following me around. I say I am. So, in we go. And little did I know he's got like 20 to 30 of of those veterans sitting in tables in the banquet room.

The Arabica Elks is feeding them and honoring them on Veterans Day.

A that's

it was absolutely an awesome thing. It was so good for me to be able to talk about all the stuff we've done for veterans going through it. I got a picture of it and I'll hopefully have it for the afternoon part. I didn't have the I didn't take the picture. I was trying to get them before. I tell you what a great celebration ever Alex did and after talking with them and I've talked to Kathy about this but we had a uh the steps uh the um Sun Coast recovery center is right down the street uh one of their persons from steps recovery was there and we may set a partnership with steps to recovery where they can do more treatment because there's only so much you can do it with with steps right now but the treatment facilities there they like the bond and plus as

there's one up in Arapa not the one on

well so well the sun coast recovery center is it right at um just above New York Avenue below Denton.

So it's right on US 19. So they're renovating now. They they spent about a one about about a million dollars renovating. They want to do another phase where actually do some housing. So for these veterans that can't get into steps to recovery because there's enough room as Marilyn says. There's still more homeless vets out there. They're going to be able to take some of them people in and give them treatment and then the people down at the steps to recovery will be able to get more treatment as well up in this facility. So, I think it's going to be a great partnership coming up, but it was just exciting to see everybody getting together.

Nice.

And that's all I got. Thank you.

All right. So, we'll we'll break for lunch and then we'll continue with the rest um when we come back. Thank you. I gian