04.21.26 Pasco County Board of County Commissioner Meeting

No, what? Yeah. Jeff. How long has everybody known? I'm the last. Oh, I'm happy for you but I'm I'm sad. Hi. They didn't tell me. What? That's fantastic. Oh, yes. But not here in town. Right, but then you get your passport and then you don't work here. Yeah, but it's like So, right. Yes. And you've got Medicare. That's what I That's what I thought you meant to say. You're so far away. Oh my god, why? Who are you?

[laughter]

Yes. Oh my gosh. So, you don't have an update for us, huh? So, like no update.

Hey Jamie. Don't have C9 for the morning yet. Tony is over Um so I don't know if Well, heart rate was regular right up but I don't know what items they're running it downstairs now. For pre-op, yeah. Yes. Hi. Good, how are you? Oh, yeah. This one popped up on it. I think it's Brandon. Brandon. So, I have an item to hold unless something happens by then. C9 and it's So, there's half. Yeah. We can get that again. Yeah, but we don't have them here. By the way, Is it? Oh, yes. Well, I'm not trying to go to the Um I have to We should So, Sometimes it No. Brandon said I should Brandon? Brandon? I do. I I go for vouchers. Yeah, yeah. I probably do. I used to have a drawer in my house Yeah? I told Brandon he had to get past the past Yeah, I like I'll just keep I'll just go for you to talk. We're late. Everybody's off having a I didn't sign Hold on. Please sign in. Hold on. Is it good to go? Is staff predominantly Got it. Okay. Good morning. I'd like to call to order the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners 10:00 meeting on April 21st, 2026. At this time, please sign in silence all electronic devices and mute your phones. Please rise for the invocation and pledge of allegiance. Good morning. Let's pray. Our Father, we've come together again today for another important meeting and as I looked at the agenda, I see that a number of groups are going to be recognized today and I just thank you for those groups, all of the people that are represented and all the service that they do for our county and uh I see that there's a number of people from the extension and garden people here, Lord, and I just thank you so much for them. It's nice to know there's so many green thumbs when people like me have black thumbs, Lord, so I just thank you so much for them and uh their attempt at keeping our county beautiful in the midst of the tremendous growth that's going on. And many other things on the agenda as always, Lord, so I just lift up this day and ask that you uh give us open hearts

to hear concerns, that you give us wisdom to make decisions, and that when all is said and done, we'll all be able to look back on this day and say that we did the best that we could. And I lift this up in your name. Amen. I pledge allegiance 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 Madam Clerk, please call the roll. District 1, Commissioner Oakley. Here. District 2, Commissioner Whitman.

Present. District 3, Commissioner Starkey.

Here. District 4, Commissioner Yeager.

Here. District 5, Chairman Mariano. Here. 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'll take public comment for those who are here in person. Then we'll take public comment for those who are pre-registered for an online link and currently on queue. We request that when you address the board, comments are not directed personally at a commissioner or to a team member, rather directed at the issues. This provides mutual respect between the board members and the public. After stating your name and address for the clerk, a 3-minute timer will be activated and a green light will be shown on the podium. After 2 minutes is up, a yellow light will indicate that you have 1 minute left. When your time is up, a red light will be displayed, three beeps will sound and you should close your comments. Online participants will be disconnected automatically when their time is up. Madam Clerk, do we have anyone signed up for public comment? Mr. Chair, we have four people who have signed up. We have Alan Rose, if you'd please step up to the podium, followed by Marcy Esper, followed by William Sapp, followed by Logan O'Leary. Thank you. Good morning. Alan Rose, 10221 Hilltop Drive, New Port Richey, Florida. For the board, I have some papers. We are receiving and filing. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Motion carried. Well, good morning. Today is a little something we brought before you before, zoning. Zoning regarding Golden Acres. Golden Acres is a community stretches from Moon Lake all the way across to Little Road. All the homesteads in in Golden Acres are 1 acre to 20 acres in in size. And we're always under pressure for rezoning because developers want what we have, land. And uh we are zoned ER, yet that constant pressure is there. And uh the past 2 years because we saw what happened with Tanglewood, we have been watching carefully and you see us whenever there is somebody's some something coming up to rezone. Then there are others that figure a way around the zoning. And they call themselves hobbyists. They build over 3,000 square foot commercial diesel shop within our community, within 40 ft of a neighbor's back back door, so they're getting diesel smells, diesel fumes right in their right into their home. Yet this was permitted because it was a hobby. And because it got past that part, they didn't realize that we had

our uh land covenants in place. They built within this within the county in accordance with 5 ft of the fence line. If you're within Golden Acres, our our covenants our land rights say you can do 25 ft to the side line because we all have larger properties. You don't go 5 ft. 25 ft to your fence line. From your front, it's 50 ft. From your back, it's 50 ft. But because they got skipped, these are old, so they're people don't always catch them. So, this hobbyist saw another hobbyist get away with this over in Osceola and that place [clears throat] looks like a disaster. But he was done before all of this. And we just want to preserve what we have. So, we're just asking that you when you see these different things people should pay attention and understand. He may be a hobbyist, but what's this hobbyist going to do? He's going to put a 3,000 square foot shop in his backyard. It's it's tough. Um we uh so and it it also is supporting his commercial fleet of of owner-operator trucks that aren't registered under him. He's got them leased out. They're all all showing other places. So, now you have a hobby supporting a commercial fleet. diesel trucks All right. And uh so, what I would close with this today's package just to show you copy of where he's located. Copy of our land covenants from way back when. I believe the next time they go for renewal will be in uh '28. Then we have the building permit for this particular building site. And uh it just goes on and I even included a conversation I had with this gentleman because I was trying to see where we have to go. So, because this is this is not under uh cer- certain perviews, it's becomes a a civil matter. So, now you have a neighbor that's going to have to take this other neighbor to court because he was able to build this so fast, he got it up and and operates this. And it's it's it's impeding. So, I just want us to be a little more cautious when we see these types of zonings coming in and these types of developments coming. Please keep in mind, we're we're a rural community. We all like I said, we're all on acreage. We don't need people 40 ft from our back porch bringing diesel fumes right into our our homes. Thank you. And before you leave, would you talk to David Allen, especially if there's any violations going out there, David would like to address them for us. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. Marci Esberg, if you would step up to the podium followed by William Sapp, followed by Logan O'Leary. Good morning, Commissioners. Marci Esberg representing the Pasco County Continuum of Care, co-located with the lead agency at 5652 Pine Street in New Port Richey.

For 17 years, the COC has been a driving force in our community's efforts to address homelessness. The COC exists to promote community-wide commitment to making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. To provide efforts for funding for non-profit profit providers to quickly re-house those experiencing homelessness while minimizing their trauma and also the impact on our community. And also to implement a housing and service system that meets the needs of those experiencing homeless in our community. I want to thank Pasco County for the important work you continue to champion in our community, including the many things you funded, homeless outreach, data management, case management, permanent supportive housing, initiatives with Pasco Hope, shelter acquisition, improvements, and operations. Also, the county has included making homelessness rare and brief in their strategic goals. Thank you for investing in this community and this important issue. Today, I want to introduce you to some of our nonprofit partners who are helping people experiencing homelessness here. The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County helps individuals and families move from crisis to stable housing. They provide direct assistance, coordinated entry access, housing navigation and case management, emergency shelter connections, homelessness prevention, and linkage to essential community resources. As a lead agency, they play a central role in bringing providers together, outreach teams, public partners, and together creating a more effective and compassionate homeless response team. In addition, we have One Community Now who's dedicated to ending hunger, preventing homelessness, and empowering individuals. Their Veteran Support Center offers a safe and welcoming space where veterans can shower, have laundry, and access case management while building community. By filling gaps, removing barriers, and keeping the focus on housing stability, these agencies serve as two examples of Pasco programs providing practical, life-changing support for our homeless neighbors moving them from crisis to housing stability. Commissioners, thank you for the work you've already done to combat homelessness. We urge you to continue to lead with evidence, compassion, and funding so that every Pasco neighbor has a safe place that they could call home. Thank you. Willams William Sapp, and I'm sorry for pronouncing your last name wrong. Um followed by Logan O'Leary. I'm not [clears throat] good at this, but uh good morning, everyone. Um I'm here to ask questions or something maybe it would be answered here.

for the record. I'm sorry. Name and address for the record.

That's okay. Uh William Sapp, uh 13117 Lauderdale Street, Hudson. And and just so you know, as you preface questions, we don't respond to them.

[cough]

We just take your input.

Yes. Okay. Sorry.

[clears throat]

Wanted to see how things could go um about a homeless lady in our little community that we have over there. It's called Terrace Gardens. Um right behind Suburban Propane. The Sheriff's Department was called by my wife because of a lady relieving herself or defecating herself on the side of the road across the street from where we live. Um And and during the daylight on March 1st, uh 12:43 p.m. and was caught on our cameras. My wife spoke to the officers um and asked them to help her, she needs help or be arrested for defecating on the side of the road. Um she has some issues. Um they spoke to her and after finding her, she was um back pedaling here, but um she was hiding in brush when they saw her And um

[clears throat]

I just, you know, can't believe that um I'm not calling people out, but why no one did anything about this lady doing what she did. Um which she does need help. But um This is not good at this, but uh I mean, we pay taxes in our in in Pasco and something has to be done with this. We have another incident on Terrace Drive where the ambulance was called this past Saturday twice on the lady sleeping on the side looked like she was not breathing. Um so, people are concerned. Um but I feel that something should have been done when Pasco sheriffs were there. Um have another issue with the uh New Hope Church on Terrace Drive having a food pantry 24/7 giving out food to um homeless people. That is fine, but should not be 24/7. It should be a time limit. Um there's debris. We have to pick up food in front of our house, baggies, garbage, all that. Um I'm ashamed to have people come visit us from out of the area that, you know, relatives, friends, and they see all this stuff, people laying on the side of the roads and stuff like that. Sheriffs drive right by them, don't do anything. They I mean, there should be something put in place for this. These people need help. Um I'd appreciate if somebody would look into this. Before you go, Chase Daniels. Chase is standing up right there in the back. He'd like to talk to you. Kathy Pearson as well and maybe David Allen would like to talk to you about those issues and they might be able to address it quicker and better. Thank you very much. Thank you. We have Logan O'Leary. Hi everyone. I hope you're all doing well today. I want to say thank you all for being here. I'm very glad to be here to support my community. My name is Logan O'Leary. I'm from 12309 Eagle Chase Way. So, I'm here as a environmental science student from SPC and a representative for the Fighters for Florida. I'm here with my teammate and I'm very glad he could be here with me today. So, I wanted to talk about the pressing issues that are actually coming as close to my backyard. When I walk outside, I used to see this beautiful pond with lush green vegetation and dozens of animals. Today, what I see is grass clippings and the dead plants that used to be so vibrant there. I have seen the landscaping company spray harmful chemicals into my pond and is now overrun with algae, which is starving the spawning beds for the bass from their oxygen. This can also cause many other harmful effects to the rest of the animals in this ecosystem. When I go to school

I see the storm drains are filled with orange algae. This developed after I saw a Pasco County truck spraying green chemicals into it. This can be toxic to individuals to animals and it's very concerning to me. I want to be feel safe and be proud that my community looks nice and clean and that there are animals supported just like they're the rest of our community. I am wondering if the investigation in section C19 of water quality will address these issues. I'm really hoping they will. I'm very optimistic about it. So, going forward, I'm going to be very active in the community when I can be. Again, thank you all. And God bless you all. Thank you. Logan, I appreciate you coming forward. If you would talk to JP Murphy sitting right over there. Um or actually no, Branford.

[clears throat]

If you can find out what that pond is and let's go take a look at that and see what's going on and keep up the career. We need good people like you out there doing the work. Quick question, how old are you? I am 22. Good job.

[applause]

So, Mr. Chair, that's all what I had signed up. I don't know if you want to make a call to see if there's anyone else. Anyone in the audience would like to address the board? Which one? Okay, come forward. Are you Ms. Marquee? I am. Okay. That's going to be my next question.

[laughter]

I'm Lori Marquee. I'm 6824 Puffin, Hudson. And I want to start with saying that I'm not talking about the people who have been affected by the hurricane. I know they're allowed to have campers and RVs and such on their property while they're getting their lives back together. I've no issue with that. It would be nice if the county would offer a sticker or something to put on those units to make sure everybody in the community knows, "Hey, leave me alone. I'm still rebuilding." So that my next comments will not have them being disturbed over and over. Since the hurricane, even a couple before the hurricane we've had people moving in RVs and campers like it's a campground over there. Empty properties that never had structures and now we have RVs and campers. They come on the weekends, they open up their stuff like they belong there. Now maybe they own the property but that still does give them no absolute right to have camper there acting like it's campground according to our bylaws. So, the other problem with that is we believe some of them are emptying their black tanks right into the canal. So, anybody who has camped knows what the black tank is and it's not good. So, we really need those campers addressed and addressed quickly. And sometimes you don't see them. And this is the part I hate to say out loud, but code works Monday through Friday unless they're called. We need weekends, we need nights, we need them to see what's happening in the community in real time. 100%. Um and the other problem is we have to call, we have to complain. We called about a couple months ago about a corner property on our street. It's hard putting your name out there. I'm getting out of my car about 3 days afterwards. The man comes running down the street, bulked up, screaming at me. Now I'm thinking he's he's going to attack me. Thank God my husband heard him and he come out and as soon as he saw my husband who is 6 ft tall he stopped and started talking to him calmly. But for us to have to put our names out there every time there's a problem we need code to ride those streets. Not just work on complaints. They need to ride and start writing it up without us calling. Agreed. 100%. It's it's terrible and we shouldn't have to put ourselves out like that even though the law says we should. I had mentioned to my sister and I think she mentioned it to somebody about a citizen's unit. And apparently the attorney for the

county said that can't be done because of whatever reason. But we're not talking about residents contacting residents. We're talking a community of residents who can contact code enforcement and say "This is what we're seeing. Can you please come through with our community?" I would love a sweet through Vista Del Mar sweep because it needs cleaned up badly. There's at least seven. Okay. So, before you go, JP Murphy's right there. JP actually helps get a lot of things set up. And there's our code person back there. Okay. All right. So, JP Murphy he he can talk about this far as these campers that were approved and permitted and that's supposed to be set up with all the connections. So talk with him and then as far as code doing a sweep out there, this is a good one that needs So, we will roll with that.

They're all good. What are you talking about? Well Thank you very much.

Some of I got I got other issues like homeless I need to take care of, but this is an issue that we need to address. So, thank you. Thank you. All right. Anyone else in the audience would like to speak? Okay, and there's anyone online? No one's online. Okay. I will close public comment and now we'll go to resolutions. Start with RS1. All right. If you are here with a cooperative extension volunteers, please step up to the podium. There should be quite a few.

[laughter]

Well, more than right. All right. So, I'll start and by reading the resolution. Resolution number 26-191, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida honoring County Cooperative Extension Volunteers for their commitment to Pasco County. Whereas Volunteer Appreciation Month is designed and is designated in April to honor volunteers worldwide who strengthen communities and recognize their impact on the community. And whereas Pasco County 4-H volunteers have demonstrated outstanding commitment by providing guiding guidance and positive experience to Pasco County's youth with more than 6,040 volunteer hours in 2025. And whereas Pasco County Master Gardener volunteers have demonstrated outstanding commitment by providing exceptional education and outreach impacts to the citizens of Pasco County and contributed more than 9,691 volunteer hours and 2,145 continuing education units in 2025. And whereas Pasco County One Stop Shop Pantry volunteers have demonstrated outstanding commitment through the coordination and pick up, packaging and loading of donated pantry food for more than 80,000 Pasco County citizens just 2 years and contributed more than 6,753 volunteer hours in 2025. And whereas in 2025, the livestock program extension volunteers contributed 140 hours to the program by assisting with Pasco County Fair responsibilities, youth education, on-site consultations and contest for for for producers. And whereas the Sea Grant program extension volunteers assist with the education of citizens and new initiatives designed to strengthen Pasco's resilience while improving the coastal environment through programs such as coastal cleanup and contributed 1,954 volunteer hours in 2025. And whereas Florida friendly landscaping volunteers have demonstrated dedicated service by assisting with with event setup, education, and construction of rain barrels among other duties by contributing 535 volunteer hours in 2025. And whereas their efforts have significantly advanced the mission of Pasco County Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida by providing rich cultural and educational experiences meeting the needs of Pasco County citizens and by meeting those citizens where they are in life. And whereas their combined volunteer contributions of 17,567 donated hours in 2025 is the equivalent of $579,711 in donated services provided to Pasco County. And whereas we are honored to recognize these volunteers for their outstanding service and dedication to Pasco County Cooperative Extension, the citizens of Pasco County, and [clears throat] the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners. Now therefore be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida that said board hereby hereby honors the Pasco County

Cooperative Extension volunteers and thanks them for their dedication to the citizens of Pasco County. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this 21st day of April 2026. Move approval. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Mr. Oakley. Yes, sir. Geez, what I expected maybe to see Dr. Elmore.

[laughter]

Apparently she here for all the efforts

[laughter]

worker bees she has and I'm sure y'all done all those hours in only about a month. I think what y'all could do in a year. [laughter] But it's great to appreciate for citizens for you being able to help the citizens of Pasco. A lot of times people are not close to what they really feel like they want to do in life even in life as you get older, they want to do things and you make it available for them to be able to do these things. Cuz I know for a fact I've called Dr. Elmore and want to know about a community garden and then what I had a had a gentleman come out and visit me. So I know the education is there and and y'all do a lot of good work for a lot of people and helping them you're helping them teach them how to provide food for themselves, especially on the community garden, but there's many many things that work right in with community garden and I certainly appreciate all of it that y'all do that. It's it's kind of the unsung heroes. You do all this work and then mean that many hours and you say, "Oh, nobody even realized we do this." But yes, we realize you do it and it's been going on for many many years in Pasco County. A county that's been very rural in the past has moved moved because of a lot of people that people say, "Oh, it's if they would just quit building they they won't won't come." But they're coming because we have the best way of life here in Pasco County. And I've been here my entire life and I guarantee you that I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Pasco County is my home and be my home for ever. So but it's great that y'all are helping the citizens of Pasco. They're very uh much needed and y'all done a great job in in making your presence especially all the hours and all you're putting out there. So this is unheard of fact that how many hours you put out there. A lot of people go around and don't realize you're even out there doing it, but there's a lot to be done and a lot more to be done cuz that train's very important for our citizens. Thank you. Y'all have a spokesperson?

[laughter]

I knew that was coming.

[laughter]

First of all, I just wanted to thank the board for recognizing these volunteers. Um I am proud and honored to stand here with a very small legion of our hundreds of volunteers behind me. Um the Florida Cooperative Extension Service is a proud well over 100-year-old institution operated by the land grant university system and the mission at the end of the day, regardless of the program area, is to make people's lives better. And sometimes that looks like helping, you know, just kind of identify an insect or if a plant is invasive or something like that, all the way to um you know, think livestock for Pasco County. And yes, there are still lots of cattle in Pasco County. Um but helping them to maybe expand those to expand their business and to be um more effective and to earn more money and to keep that local. Our 4-H volunteers helping to develop the next generation of leaders here in Pasco County is tremendous tremendously impactful and important in so many ways. Our master gardener volunteers, I want folks to understand this is not really about gardening. That is a very surface level concept for that program. It is about environmental education and benefits and certainly about water savings. That is really what their program is designed to do and they do it in a phenomenal way. Our one-stop shop volunteers that help to feed thousands of folks, help to start new businesses, help to connect our citizens with other resources that the county provides. It's a tremendous service. Um and it serves all of Pasco County. We are all across this county in every little nook and cranny. Um so I am honored to stand here with them and and be the spokesperson for folks that have such a tremendous impact in this county. I am so proud of them. And again, I appreciate the recognition that we're providing them, but I want to thank them for what they give. I mean, it's blood, sweat, tears, and money that they put into this county. And um without them we would have nothing. So thank you all. And it's it's a great thing that you're an extension of the cooperative services cuz it wouldn't be done if if y'all hadn't volunteered to get out there and help do it. Cuz there's a lot of people to meet, a lot of people to to see. I was just thinking through all the workers with 4-H and FFA students all over the county and through the fair, there's where you see a lot of projects. People learn how to take care of animals. That if it hadn't been for a project like that, they may not have ever had an animal to take care of, a hog or or a steer or horse or whatever, you know, they might be involved in. But I was thinking the other day I'd given back to FFA and 4-H students in my lifetime for 63 years through the fair helping them with their projects there. So it's it's great that y'all do the work

you do all over the county. No matter what [snorts] it be, we thank you very much for all your service. Thank you. And please join us on October 3rd

[laughter]

at Wesley Chapel District Go ahead and speak in front of the mic and please introduce yourselves.

[laughter]

Please join us October the 3rd at Wesley Chapel District Park. We are having gardening festival 365. We have many many many of the Pasco County employees and organizations that will be there as well, but we would love to see every one of you there. So now I need you to introduce yourself. It is our 10th year. I need you to introduce yourself and then um the lady who spoke beforehand if you could also the record is audio. So we need we need your name and if you'd like to say something. Brenda White and I am the uh chair for 365 that will be held on October 3rd

[laughter]

at Wesley Chapel District Park. Good job. Good job. Very good. Nice job, Brenda. And Dr. Elmore, we need you. Yes, please if you'll just state your name and um for the record for us so you can introduce yourself. And if you would say your name again. Send an email about the event, too, so we can like we'll publish that on the county page as well. So I will be sure to get that to you. For sure. Thank you. And I will be sure that she gets it out. She she will.

[laughter]

She won't ever forget it. Whitney Elmore, I'm the Cooperative Extension Director here in Pasco County. Thank you, ma'am. Let's go up for a picture. If you'll let would ladies come up in front here. We're going to stay back here.

[laughter]

And then just make sure anyone standing in the back row can see me and not the back of someone else's head. Can you step back a little bit? There you go. Ready? All right.

[applause]

At least 10 times a month that she went to our place.

Okay, next up is RS2. So, resolution number two, if you are here for National Military Appreciation Month, please step forward to the podium. I see some I see some movement. Okay, how many we getting? Where's Derek? Oh, but he's a chaplain. I know we have seven deployed right now. Oh, really?

Wow. Wow. All right, I'll go ahead and read the resolution. Resolution number 26-192, resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring the month of May 2026 as National Military Appreciation Month in Pasco County. Whereas, designated by Congress in 1999, Military Appreciation Month is observed every May and encompasses several military-focused holidays, encouraging nationwide recognition of the contributions and sacrifices made by the Armed Forces. And whereas, Military Appreciation Month plays a crucial role in fostering awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the military community and provides for education and dialogue about the experiences of service members, veterans, and their families. And whereas, throughout the history of the United States, the men and women of our Armed Forces have stood in defense of our freedom, serving with honor, valor, and the distinction in times of war and peace. And whereas, Military Appreciation Month honors every person who has served in a branch of the US military and reminds us that we owe many of our freedoms to the sacrifices made by military personnel. And whereas, in addition to keeping the country safe, the US military also conducts important research that has led to many important and useful civilian technologies that we use every day, like GPS, canned foods, and jet engines. And whereas, Pasco County is home to more than 50,000 veterans, as well as many active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members, each of whom represents a legacy of service and strengthens our local communities and contributes to the security and well-being of our nation. And whereas, the Pasco County Veteran Services Office, in partnership with community organizations, remains committed to supporting our veterans, service members, and their families through outreach, advocacy, and comprehensive services. And whereas, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners is grateful to our Armed Forces and shows gratitude for the service and sacrifice of military personnel, veterans, and their families throughout the entire month of May. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby declares the month of May 2026 as National Military Appreciation Month in Pasco County and calls upon citizens to honor and express their gratitude to the members of the United States Armed Forces, our veterans, and their families for their selfless dedication. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this 21st day of April 2026. Move to approve. Second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Commissioner Starkey? Yeah, well, I'm really really proud to be the sponsor of this one as a active military son-in-law. Um

and we have so many, I had no idea. And we also have many who served who who served in the past, and I I think at this time I'd just like them to stand up, too, and be recognized. Former military here. Um

[applause]

I want to thank all of you.

[applause]

We're we're very grateful for your service, and um rather than me just tell you how grateful we are for all of you, I want to hear who you are and how you serve, if you wouldn't mind coming up to the podium.

[cough and laughter]

I'll start off. Uh I'm not a stranger here. Uh Dave Gerson, I'm the manager of Veteran Services. Um I'm I'm here proudly serving all the veterans in the county, um and welcome my fellow veterans uh and uh and county employees.

what force were you in or are you in?

I served in the Marine Corps for 33 years. Wow, amazing. Yes, ma'am. Thank you so much. I'm proud to be here.

And Dave, I want to thank you while you're here. Yeah. Oh, this is kind of this is unexpected, but uh I want to tell you he was with me this morning at 8:00 at a veteran's home that's 101 years old trying to get some help through one of the programs out there and took his time to get out there first thing in the morning before the board meeting so we can make it happen. So, thank you for your extra effort to to help that veteran.

Yes, sir. Whether whether they're a four-year veteran or a 22-year-old veteran or 101-year-old veteran, we're going to be there to help them out. Appreciate it.

the support. Good morning, I'm C.J. Allen. I work in traffic operations. Um United States Army, uh 26 years, seven months, 30 days.

[laughter]

I'm uh Scott Burke, uh Parks and Recs. Uh I did 10 years active duty and currently serving in the Florida National Guard. 23 years total. Wow, great. Thank you so much. How are you guys doing? Uh Chris Rommel, uh Public Works. Um currently serving in the Army Reserves, did eight years active duty, so um 26 years so far. Which which force? Uh Army, ma'am. What? Army. All Army. Well, is

Guard, it gave it away.

Is Marine Army? I don't No. It's its own thing, right? Uh What what is Marine come out of? Is its own thing? Uh Yes, ma'am. What? It's its own branch of service. I think we need to move on.

[laughter]

Sorry. I always thought it was under one of the ones. Special people under a certain one. It's uh Derek Berger, Office of Economic Growth. I'm pretty green to this. I'm a Navy um chaplain candidate. I actually have more training in June, so um I guess technically the Marines falls under the Navy, but I wouldn't See, I

Department of Navy, but I wouldn't call them Navy, so. Okay. [laughter] Well, I didn't I didn't Okay. I'll have to learn my Marine history. Um Camp Lejeune, right? Yes. Okay, I got that right. Um Okay, so I have something for all of you, but since there's there's um five of them, I think we can all go down and thank our our Oh, I had one other comment. You said we have some people serving right now that are deployed? Yes, so that list we had 45, I think, are active reservists. We have many, many more veterans that that serve in the organization, but seven of our reservists are currently deployed is my understanding.

Do we do we ever send them like a a box of something? You know, a What do you call those? Care package?

Um I would check with I'll check with our human resources.

love to do that, right, guys? We can all put something in there for our our serving. Okay, I want to do that. All right, let's go down and thank these guys personally. This is mine.

[snorts]

I know this is mine. Thank you. I'm going opposite. Thank you so much. Oh, am I supposed to have something? Hey, they didn't give me anything. Where are they? Who's got the uh Is it right there? Oh, all right, I guess I'm going to give this to you. I don't know how to give this to you. This is National Library Week. We will figure that out, but I didn't get anything to give to these guys, so.

[clears throat]

Yeah, somebody

[laughter]

That's a first. I want one for each. I'm sorry, I know that they're here. Okay. But they're all life size. And then we'll get we'll figure out how we get this to everybody. I'll take mine. There you go. All right, ready? Three, two, one. All right, thank you. Thank you [applause] all. All right. That was RS3. I'm going over there to get it. All right, if you are here for as the winners of cultural programming. Innovation and creative contribution award

Thank you. Innovation and creative contribution award winners in cultural programming, please step up to the podium. That's a long title. All right, I'll go ahead and read the resolution first. Resolution number 26-193, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, congratulating the Innovation and Creative Contribution Award winners in cultural programming. Whereas the Cultural Affairs Advisory Council was established by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners in 2022 and was tasked with the development and implementation of an awards program designed to recognize outstanding cultural programs, workshops, and events that contribute signific- contribute meaningfully to the cultural landscape of Pasco County. And whereas this past year the Council has has created the Innovation in Programming Award to recognize an outstanding individual and the Creative Contribution Award in Cultural and Arts Programming to recognize an outstanding organization. And whereas the Council has nominated Anna awarded Lisa Campos for the Innovation in Cultural Programming Award. Lisa serves as a director of Invest- Investigation Station and has recently created Florida Rocks, a walk-through geologic time exhibit for Pasco County citizens to experience for free. This innovative program embodies education the public educating the public through an exciting cultural topic. And whereas the Council has also nominated and awarded Center Stage Youth Theater for the Creative Contribution Award in Cultural and Arts Performing. Center Stage currently offers over 18 program and has 600 students and has recently partnered with Pasco County Library System to provide theater performances for Pasco County citizens at the Starkey Ranch Theater Library Cultural Center. And whereas the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the value of arts and culture to society and today we honor Lisa Campos and Center Stage Youth Theater for their continued cultural contributions to Pasco County. Now therefore be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida that said Board hereby congratulates the Innovation and Creative Contribution Award winners in cultural program- and thanks them for their contributions to Pasco County. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this 21st day of April 2026. Vote to approve. Second. All in favor say I. I. Mrs. Starkey. Thank you. We normally don't sponsor two, but as you know I helped found this Council and it's really important to me as we bring some culture to the county. So I want to thank all of you for your contribution and um what a great idea to do these awards. So I want to make sure that I get some stories and photos and I'll put it in my newsletter and make sure that we publicize this even more than

here today. So thank you all. I'm not sure if you guys know who all these people are so I'm going to have them introduce themselves and say what they do. So please everyone introduce yourself and except for our library director.

[laughter]

I guess we all know who he is. Not even say up but it's Spike but you don't need to introduce yourself to us. Good morning Commissioners. My name is Marybeth Isaacson. I'm the chair of the Cultural Affairs Advisory Council. Thank you so much for sponsoring this Council. It's our privilege and our pleasure to advocate for the arts in Pasco County. Pasco County has long had the reputation of being a cultural backwater. You had to go to St. Petersburg or Tampa if you wanted to see a theatrical performance or go to the orchestra. Well, that's not true folks. We have a thriving cultural arts scene right here in Pasco County and the award winners today are two shining examples of that of the activities that are available for our residents here. This is part of what makes our community a thriving place and why people want to live in Pasco County and not in Pinellas or Hillsborough because they have the opportunities for these things here and it's part of what makes this a premier county. I want everyone to talk to Campos. How are you? Good morning. Thank you so much for having us. My name is Lisa Campos. I am the director of Investigation Station and for the past almost 21 years now we have been linking art and science for our Pasco County residents. We create interactive exhibits for kids and their caregivers to experience for free on their own time in Pasco County. We have a one-mile scaled model of the solar system in Starkey Wilderness Park. We have a mobile STEM exhibit that moves through the Pasco County Library System and we have a water cycle themed splash pad at the Veterans Memorial Park in Hudson and we are currently working with the city of New Port Richey to create this new geology exhibit called Florida Rocks, a walk-through geologic time. If you'd like to come and support us tonight Rooters is holding a fundraiser for us at Slice of Life from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Nice and I don't hear anything on the east side so Commissioner Oakley and Commissioner Whitman we got to get some culture over there.

[laughter]

Any any given Saturday the Wesley Chapel Performing Arts Center at the high school is booked and full and the Pasco-Hernando State College Performing Arts Center is often booked every weekend. We just had the Dade City Symphony play at Pasco Middle School.

Very nice.

And we just had the Heritage Arts Association annual event performance a an afternoon and a evening matinee that were completely full. So

I am shocked that Whitman is just like like that.

[laughter]

Whitman now do you have culture? He was ready. Lord have mercy. Whitman Marybeth Isaacson Pasco County. Commissioner Starkey. Huh? In Pasco County when you live on the east side you're in heaven already.

[laughter]

All right, come on. Come on. Come on. Wait to hear how his program is going.

[laughter]

Hi, my name is James Frow. I am the co-founder and executive producing director for Center Stage Youth Theater. We started in 2018 with 42 students and we have grown exponentially from there. My co-founder and I, Anna, have been working hard to bring youth theater to this area and I would love to say it's all me and and her have done it all but truly the the rate at which we've grown and the programs at which we have. We had one cast when we started, we now have eight casts, full casts that perform at Generations Christian Church and I will use this to plug my program too. We have Moana Jr. being done May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. So if you want to see some awesome youth theater done that there's no better place in Center Stage Youth Theater. But our our staff we have 18 staff members we have that do directing, choreographing, vocal technique for all of these students and our our program wouldn't have grown without these wonderful people. This is really a a um an award recognition for them and our staff because we they work endlessly our volunteers and I look forward to continuing to bring all of this. It's the most proud thing I've ever done and I look forward to bringing even more of it to to Pasco County for a long long time. Yeah, great job. All right, come on up. My name is Charles Adair with the Museum of Archaeology, Paleontology, and Science, MAPS, and I'm also on the board with Marybeth and so we're proud of the work that these folks have done and when we're we're going to continue to recognize folks in the future for the work that they do. And if you haven't toured his facility and I hope you're going to be moving to that new big and better We're working on it, yeah. It's amazing. Can you can you tell the Commissioners what you have? Yeah, we have collections from all over the world. We're involved in marine archaeology on land archaeology. I hope to see a couple Commissioners in Panama in June. We'll be we have a couple spots open for that. We also work in paleontology. We have dinosaur digs in different places in the world and there's a lot of other different geology and things. We have some of the largest collections of pre-Columbian in the southeastern US with 7,000 artifacts and we have about 600 artifacts from shipwrecks including a Titanic spoon. We have a dinosaur egg with a baby dinosaur in it. So we have some pretty incredible collections and we are looking to move to a much bigger location so we're working on that for this year. So Yeah, that's awesome. It is phenomenal what you have. Yeah, really is awesome. And if I could just say one more thing. I'd also like to thank Sean McGarvey, library director, Robert Spike from

Pasco Libraries, Ben Deal, Pasco Libraries, Tenisha Auden, also Pasco Libraries, and everyone on the Libraries, Parks, and Tourism teams as well as some former library folks who are here with us today who who helped make all of these wonderful events possible. We thank them so much for all of their support. I really

So I see so I see Ben in the back so maybe the other Parks and Libraries people can come forward too and do the picture in front. That's right. [clears throat] All right, let's Looks like they have awards that they want to present. Yeah, you have some awards to present? Okay, are you going to do that in our photo? Is that what you or how do you want to do the awards? It's up to you, ma'am. No, however you guys want to do it but you got to get up if you're doing it. No, no, no. Let's Let's present. Yeah. Yeah.

[laughter]

All right, let's call up first Lisa Campos for your Innovation and Culture Programming Award.

[applause]

And then next up, we have Center Stage Youth Theater for our Creative Contribution in our Teen Culture Awards.

[applause]

Okay, we're going to come down and take a photo. Well, why don't you just stay down there, Commissioner? We'll stay up here. Okay. And all the people will stay up here. Okay, I apologize. Only one of these is in a frame. We'll We'll run and get you get um get a frame. Right now? Okay. All right, ready? All right.

[applause]

[laughter]

Honoring the distinguished military and law enforcement service of Eileen Mary Tiano. Whereas Eileen Mary Tiano was born on June 14th, 1943 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania and was adopted at the age of four. And whereas Eileen graduated from Archbishop Prendergast High School in 1961 and pursued business studies before beginning an extraordinary life of service and dedication. And whereas at the age of 19, Eileen joined the US Marine Corps and specialized in small arms and tanks. While in the Marines, Eileen was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and volunteered her time reading to and writing letters on behalf of injured servicemen. And whereas after leaving the Marines as a private E1, Eileen joined the national the Army National Guard as a sergeant first class, later joining the US Air Force and officially retiring as a master sergeant. And whereas after leaving the military, Eileen decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a Philadelphia police officer. After being turned away due to age, Eileen won an age discrimination discrimination lawsuit against the Philadelphia Police Department, paving the way for others and removing the age limit for becoming a Philadelphia police officer. And whereas Eileen graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy and proudly served in the Major Crimes Unit. Her strength, resilience, and tenacity made a lasting impact on the law enforcement community. And whereas Eileen was married to her soulmate Jim for over 50 years and was a mother of seven children, a proud grandmother of 16 grandchildren, and a great grandmother to nine with two more on the way. And whereas Eileen Mary Tiano lived boldly, loved deeply, served proudly, and was a formidable woman and a force to be reckoned with. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida that said board hereby honors the distinguished military and law enforcement service of Eileen Mary Tiano. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this 21st day of April, 2026. Move to approve. Second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Commissioner Rao. Oh, I'm holding back tears. Um On Veterans Day, I had the honor of meeting your wife and Jim. And um I was just blown away by your wife. How she had served three branches in the military. Um her funny story was she tried to join the Navy, but she was 12 lbs overweight, so you know, she said, [snorts] "It's fine. I'll join the Marines." And [laughter] her her service kept going. That's awesome. Something that I love is when she joined the police department, she got the same badge number as her husband, which I think is very sweet. Uh they just renewed their vows in August. So that was very special. And um

this guy here, Mr. Jim, he is 81 and um he still plays softball. So he he was supposed to be at a softball game today and his daughter said, "I I have to I have an errand to run." So we wanted to surprise you, Jim, and honor your wife's legacy by by doing this resolution today. Thank you. So um if you would like to And I also um I have a flag that was flown over the Capitol from Congressman Gus Bilirakis to present to you as well. But if you would like to say a few words. Well, that uh Veterans Day was very difficult to get her there. She was in very bad shape. Just getting her in that that that Just getting her there that day was so very difficult. And she lasted about 20 days after that. Thank you. And she looked so beautiful in her American flag dress. Would you like to say a few words? Yes, thank you. I I so appreciate that all of my mom's efforts all of her life. She's had a lot of difficult times. And it's unusual for women in the military, let alone serving three different branches, and then have the tenacity to join the police department even after being told you're too old.

And how how old was she when she was told you 40. Oh my How old was Mommy? When she joined the Did the man get She was 51 when she actually joined. It took It took several years for the lawsuit to go through, but when she joined, she became a a cop, she loved it. She was in the uh um Major Crimes Unit. And she enjoyed it very much. And it was another honor to have my dad's badge number, 6832. It's very unusual to have that, but when you move up in rank, your badge number goes back into circulation. And when my mom graduated the academy, it happened to be available. And we were just kind of like, "Hey, can she have it?" And she did. So it's it's wonderful and it's a connection. And um yes, my mom's pretty much a badass.

[laughter]

Thank you. Would you like to say anything? I just want to say thank you for honoring my mother. Absolutely. You're so welcome. It was It was our honor honoring your mom. And Jim, I have a little surprise for you because I was totally blown away when you told me that you play softball still. My brother-in-law has his own bat, so you have a Yeager bat for your game today, okay? Aw, with the flag. Okay. Thank you.

[applause] [laughter]

And this flag was flown over the Capitol. Aw, you're so wonderful. She's an honor. And then where's the resolution? Did I read them? Oh, they're framed. Did you get it? Okay. Okay, we need just we'll get one more copy of the resolution and Ready?

[applause]

Thank you. Hey, you have to let me know if you hit a home run or get on base with that bat.

[laughter]

All right, let me know. You playing on Thursday? Oh, okay. Bye-bye. Now we'll move to RS5. All right. Um is anyone here for Building Safety Month? Come on up. Okay, I will go ahead and read the resolution as you are making your way to the podium. Resolution number 26-194. Resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring the month of May 2026 as Building Safety Month in Pasco County. Whereas Pasco County is committed to recognizing that our growth and strength depends upon the safety and essential roles our homes, buildings, and infrastructures play in both everyday life and when disaster strikes. And whereas our confidence in the resilience of the buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of diligent professionals, such as building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, trade people, design professionals, laborers, plumbers, and others in the construction industry who work year-round to ensure the safe constructions of buildings. And whereas these professionals and dedicated members of the International Code Council, a nonprofit that brings together local, state, territorial, tribal, and federal officials who are experts in the building industry to create and implement the highest quality codes to protect citizens in the buildings in which they live, work, and play. And whereas modern building codes include safeguards to protect the public from hazards such as hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes. And whereas Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the crucial role of our communities largely unknown protectors of public safety, our local code officials, and assure us of safe, sustainable, and affordable buildings that are essential to our prosperity. And whereas in 2026 theme, I'm sorry, the 2026 theme for Building Safety Month is Build to Last, which encourages us all to raise awareness about building safety on a personal, local, and global scale. And whereas each year in observance of Building Safety Month, people all over the world are asked to consider the commitment to improve building safety, resilience, and economic investment in home and in the community and to acknowledge the essential service provided to all citizens by local and state building departments, fire prevention bureaus, and federal agencies in protecting lives and property. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby declares the month of May 2026 as Building Safety Month in Pasco County and encourages all Pasco County citizens to join in participation of Building Safety Month activities. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this 21st day

of April 2026. Move approval. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. JP, so glad you and your team are here today. Um, you know, building safety is everything. Everything we try to do is to try to get the inspections not for a bureaucratic process, but it's to make sure the work was done right, properly, and the people are safe and protected down the road. And I want to say from the time that you got here, we used to have many, many conversations. I hardly ever talk to them anymore. Sonia, my assistant, used to take care of my permitting stuff. We had a whiteboard that was like full all the way through. Boom, boom. Nowadays, it's like if I have something, it's like, "Check on this for me." And like the other day we had one last week where a building was coming up and CEO was important to get it within a a fair amount of time. Lois says, "I don't want to get involved in it. Let the process go." He says, "But the time is so sensitive." Sent us just a quick little light email. Later that afternoon, CEO was issued. The type of service you're giving people nowadays, I want to just expand to say it's been phenomenal. Greatly appreciate you, the team, and hopefully new headquarters are working out. But what you guys are doing is far and away the best I've ever seen and then just keep up the great work. But I'd like to say a few words. Yeah, thank you. JP Murphy, Director of Building Construction Services for the record. Thank you, Madam Clerk, for the wonderful recital as always. Thank you, Chairman Mariano, for for sponsoring this. Um, I I thank you for your comments. I can't take credit for that. Behind me and and certainly at our our our three offices is an outstanding staff, which this time of year we take time out to celebrate their accomplishments and their dedication, to their professionalism, to not only to the code, but to the people of Pasco County in keeping them safe and resilient. Um, so much of what we do is is not only about just getting through a process quickly and efficiently and and explaining it, but it's really about making sure that construction is safe, not only from hurricanes, but from fire, from everyday things. A lot of the stuff folks don't realize we also work on accessibility. So, people of all different abilities can come and enjoy our public spaces, our businesses, and live safely in homes. We do a lot of great work with some veteran organizations in making sure that they get some housing that would that works really well for them. But all of that starts with the team behind us. They they put in the hours. They really see the intent of what we're trying to do. Um, not only is our internal goal to to make Pasco County BCAS the best building department in the nation, a promise which we've taken a great step this past year in becoming IAS accredited. Again, just to remind you, only county department serving a population of 600,000 to 1 million in the United States that is IAS

accredited. So, we're very proud of that. Um, and we're going to continue that great work. We're going to have a a fun month here in May starting on May 2nd with uh we're going to join the Disaster Expo. We always do some fun stuff for kids and make ourselves available to explore different things from flood plain regulations to how to make your homes disaster resilient. We're going to have some open houses for our contractors and bagel with a bagels with a building official and we're going to have some some other fun towards the end. Uh, we've been doing a lot of fantastic work with the Brighter Futures team. Um, we feel like we're marching in lockstep with them to make sure that those projects go through and we're going to use the month of May of May to celebrate all the hard work and effort of this team behind me. So. So, again, greatly appreciate you, you the the whole team cuz it takes a team. You can set up the table for everybody, but they've got to do all the work and for the team members, I want to thank you all for the great work you're doing. Uh, David Allen, since you've stepped in as well, it's been a great transition. It was tough to see him leave the utilities, but I think your leadership there has helped the team get better. And Mike Carballa, uh, since you've become county administrator, by the way, happy anniversary for 12 years today. Um, for that, yeah.

[applause]

Uh, for all that teamwork to make this county premier and make it better and better, it takes everybody and as work. And what you guys have done, I want to take the the moment again to say you're doing a phenomenal job and we greatly we greatly appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. David Allen, do you mind coming up? Do you want us to come up?

[clears throat]

I'm sorry. I will. I think I think we have the best reputation of anybody in the office. Okay.

[snorts] [applause] [snorts] [laughter]

All right, IRS 6. All right, if you are here for National Library Week week, please come up to the podium. Shawn, you can come front and center this time. I'll go ahead and read the resolutions as everyone is making their way to the podium. Resolution number 26-195. A resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, proclaiming April 19th through the 25th, 2026 as National Library Week in Pasco County. Whereas National Library Week is a time to highlight the valuable role librarians, libraries, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. And whereas libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering a space where individuals of all ages can find joy through exploration and discovery. And whereas libraries serve as vibrant community hubs, connecting people with knowledge, technology, and resources while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and cultural enrichment. And whereas libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programming, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have the support they need to learn, connect, and thrive. And whereas libraries partner with schools, businesses, and organizations to maximize maximize resources, increase efficiency, and expand access to essential services, strengthening the entire community. And whereas premier libraries attract and satisfy customers through outstanding and responsive customer service, an excellent selection of materials and source resources, and an environment that encourages personal and community betterment. And whereas the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners has made a commitment to libraries by opening the new Wesley Chapel Library in February 2026 and beginning [clears throat] in renovations of the Hudson Library. And whereas the citizens of Pasco County have repeatedly shown how much they love the library system by consistently ranking Pasco County libraries as a premier community resource in Pasco County. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby proclaims the week of April 19th through the 25th, 2026 as National Library Week in Pasco County. Done and resolved in regular session with a quorum present and voting this 21st day of April, 2026. Move approval. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye.

Aye. Well, this is a one of my favorite resolutions, as well. Um, you know, library week is is important. Libraries are so important. I um you know, growing up to read was getting to books was was hard to get. You couldn't couldn't afford to buy them, but you go to library and get them and read it and help you do homework and and and do better. And I know my girls um benefited tremendously with library. From the reading stories in the morning, getting acclimated to books, like who could read the most books every summer. I mean, just was such a such a benefit. And with all of everybody in there, I see Ross, Susan, Barbara, uh from way, way back as far as I can remember pulling the libraries out for our children, our families, and the great work that it does to make Pasco premier. Um your everyone's dedication, I want to say say we greatly, greatly appreciate it. The new renovations, um I think were a great testament. I mean, let's face it, when the voters decided to go back libraries with the GO bonds, that is that that means so much to our community that this is the quality of life people want to see. So, I will tell you when we deal with our state issues as far as what they want to cut cut and cut. Remember years ago, parks and libraries took the biggest cuts of 30% and we battled to get it all back. And this board was great in making all that happen to get them funded again. We're going to fight those same battles again coming up because we need quality of life and libraries are a huge part of it. So, would like to say a few words? Thank you, Commissioners, for the recognition, especially during National Library Week. And today is National Employee Library Employee Day. I may repeat some of the things that you've already said, but I think it's important because weekly I'm approached by people who did not know what our libraries do. They still think it's just books. So, I'm Elaine Basinger. I chair the Pasco County Library Advisory Board. 11846 Orange Street, San Antonio, Florida 33576. In 2000 I have to put the glasses on. I'm trying not to be vain. In 2025, our libraries welcomed more than 750,000 in-person visitors, along with an additional 440,000 digital visits. That means well over a million touchpoints where residents turned to the library for learning, connection, or support. Over the past year, Pasco County residents checked out nearly 1.2 million items, books, e-books, audiobooks, digital media, and more. This level of use shows that our libraries remain one of the most trusted and relied upon public services in the county. Our programming continues to grow, as well. More than 119,000 residents participated in at least one

of the library's systems, 4,570 programs and events last year. These programs support early literacy, STEM education, job-seeking skills, small business development, technology training, and cultural enrichment for all ages. Libraries also provide a strong return on investment. Studies show that Pasco County Libraries generate $3.09 in economic value for every dollar that is invested. That value comes through workforce development, digital access, educational support, and the many ways libraries strengthen families and neighborhoods. Beyond the numbers, our libraries serve as safe, welcoming community hubs. They provide free Wi-Fi, public computers, printing and scanning services, and access to online services, especially important for residents who may not have reliable internet at home. They also preserve our local history and offer climate-controlled spaces where people can learn, study, and connect. In short, Pasco County Libraries are not just buildings with books. They are essential community infrastructure, supporting education, economic growth, digital equality, and quality of life for residents across the county. Thank you. Thank you for your continued support of our library system and for recognizing the vital role it plays in strengthening our premier county of Pasco County. Thank you again, Commissioners, and we would like to present you with a gift. Okay. Before we get to that, Sean, do you want to add anything? Sure, please. Okay. Thank you, Elaine. Sean McGarvey, Library Director of Pasco County. Uh as mentioned before by Ms. Basinger, our wonderful Library Advisory Board President, today is Library Week in the nation, but it's also National Library Staff Today. And I would be remiss if I did not call attention to the wonderful staff you have enabled in this county to do incredible things. From our marketing team, which turns out um viral video hits, to our events team, to our staff at all eight of our locations doing programming, helping our citizens, uh you've created a premier institution. And I know that because over the weekend, I did a outreach at an event in Hillsborough County for local regional thing. And to a person, every person that walked up to me said, "I live in Hillsborough County, but I have one of your library cards."

[laughter]

Or I come to your stuff because it's really cool. Um and that's because of the work that the staff has done, because of the public services staff, and the administrative staff, and everybody. I can't thank them all enough, as well as all of our volunteers here, which you see behind you. These people give up their time, they give up their effort, and they do so much for the library system and this county as a whole. As you said, Commissioner, many of them you have seen in other lights because they continue to give to this county that they love so much. So, I thank them.

And Sean, if you could talk briefly about the the cultural aspect of like at the Hudson Library, you have the groups that come in. We're going to improve that as well, and the bands that can actually now be recording coming up. I would love to, sir. As well as mentioned that other commissioners have also asked if we could do concerts on their lawns at certain locations, and we are working on that, as well. I don't want to feel anybody to left out.

[laughter]

Um yes, uh thank you to you, Commissioner, and the rest of this board, and county administration, and uh Administrator Carballa for putting uh love behind Hudson Library, which was our biggest library and still will be. Uh it was built in the 1980s and opened in the early '90s, and it is really a marvel with really beautiful wooden floors and high ceilings. Um we plan to continue and expand concert series that we've been doing at Starkey Ranch Library. Uh and we plan to expand to Wesley Chapel, as well as Hudson, because they are so popular. Um people may not know this, but Hudson is a surprising music mecca. We regularly get 3 to 400 people attending concerts at Hudson Library for things as eclectic as Irish folk singers to rock bands. It's really incredible. Um and I'm really proud because we have something for everyone across this county, whether it be a clay studio or an art studio or woodworking or our children's Discovery Center or our kitchen in Regency Park. Um it's really amazing what what you have here, and it's a gem, and um we plan to make Hudson we look forward to making Hudson a new sparkling jewel in that gem. So. And we we've been doing our resolutions where just the commissioner sponsors speak to move it along quicker. It's not working too good today.

[laughter]

But I Nikki was trying to put words in. Add something, it's okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I did. I said, "Can I say something?" I love our libraries. I think it's such um I don't know, a gem in in Pasco. And thank you to the friends of our libraries. Thank you so much. I appreciate everything you do. So, quick story. Um my mom went to the library in Off Collier in Land O' Lakes, and they were offering, you know, how to become an author, how do you write, you know, better. And she wanted to write my grandmother's memoirs. So, she took the class, and I have to tell you, she's in the process of publishing her book. It'll probably be published at the end of this year. I'm so excited. Can we steal a copy of that, please? Yes, I'm going to tell her yes. So, um it's it's a beautiful book. I I actually just did the last reading edits of it last night. She let me, so I was really excited about that. And in that class, um they wrote a poem. That that was one of the things, "You have 10 minutes to write a poem." And then they explained, "How do you write a poem?" My mom was like, "I've never written a poem in my life." In 10 minutes, she wrote this most amazing, spectacular, beautiful poem that brings chills when I read it. Um and it's beautiful. It's about my grandmother, it's about Cuba. She She melted all together. Now she's put it in and she created a song out of it. So, it's it's like all part of the whole book package. But I just wanted to tell you that is what a program in Pasco County Libraries has done and and impact it had. So, I just want to say thank you. I could not have asked for a better [applause] advertisement. There you go. Um I don't want to call her out, but the president of the Land O' Lakes Friends is here and I am sure that just touched her heart. Thank you. No, thank you. Um yes, sir. How are you? You want to run? So, uh for Mariana goes down, if you want to know how important libraries are, just close one down to get it remodeled.

[laughter]

Sorry. All right. If you're in my back line, just make sure that you can see me and not the back of someone's head. All right, ready? 3 2 1

[applause]

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Ross, keep in touch. Thank you, Vivian. Oh, thank you. Oh, it's it is. It's so good. I'm so proud of her. Thank you for the gifts. And the next order of business is consent agenda. There's only one item to pull. That's I've got C-14. That's just for a quick discussion. Any other items to be pulled from the consent agenda? Move approval on all of the items on consent agenda. Second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Thank you.

Okay. And item C-14, Genie of pictures. I just want to say I'm very happy to see the sidewalk construction program coming on. It's going to be done before the road. And I just want to show you a quick picture of the road so that we can actually took take a look and maybe just improve the project just a touch. Um so, there's Johnson Road. This road connects to US-19 all the way over to Zimmerman. It's going to be a great addition because when people will travel this road, it takes a lot of traffic off 19, probably less stress off 52 as well as down even further to the south. So, it's a much needed road. There's a road right beside it called Rampart that needs a little bit of addition. And Jason, if you can I'm not looking for that now, but just want to bring it to your attention. If you can maybe add that to it, it will help another little connection to help disperse traffic a little bit. Good morning, commissioners. Jason Mickle work works director. Yeah, I thought you were talking about the sidewalk. No, I'm happy with the sidewalk project, but I know they're doing the sidewalk and then the

And they're doing the road. Exactly. And I just want to say as we look at that, this is a great project. I'm glad it's coming forward. But after that gets done or during that, if we could we could do the paving part, take a look at that little connection.

We'll certainly take a look at that. Absolutely. All right. That's all I've got. Uh someone make a motion to approve. Move to approve. Second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Chair. Just one moment. They should pull that. I just I think it's important that whenever projects like this come on consent that if it's in whose ever district it is, it's important that we highlight actual infrastructure work that were done. So, um good pull, chairman. Thank you. Okay. Now, we'll go to item number R-32. Excuse me, R-31. Hershey, thank you, commissioner. Let me get a little Thank you. Um so, [clears throat] R-31 is a R-31. Check check mic check. There we go. That's better. Thanks, Khalil. All right, so item R-31 is a is a resolution to the Board of County Commissioners regarding an the initiating resolution, the city of New Port Richey, Florida regarding an inter so interlocal service boundary agreement. So, on on March 17th, the city of New Port Richey adopted a resolution that passed the county enter into an interlocal service boundary agreement. I I won't get into the legalities of that, but it's under it's under an act of of state law. It's a very formalized process where we would enter into a negotiation over over boundaries. The subject of this particular resolution is that the city was asserting that their recreation and aquatic center actually services and provides substantial benefit to the unincorporated citizens and surrounding the city's New Port the city of New Port Richey's service area. So, they may have I'll show you on the next slide a map of that proposed service area, but they're basically proposing that their their aquatic center provides service or value to the unincorporated citizens within these boundary areas. And as such, they want to enter into a negotiation with the county to discuss of many things of all things probably providing additional funding to support that aquatic center. Under the law, we are required to file a response resolution and and and formally adopt certain things. So, in our response, we are we have identified that the the county actually also provides substantial parks and and recreational benefits to those citizens of New New Port Richey and that we can also identify additional issues for negotiation. And we we have identified in addition to the city's um request to discuss funding their aquatic center that we talk about the city's fiscal responsibility to the county for the parks and recreation natural resource areas that we have surrounding the city. I'll show you that on a map in a second.

As well as the city's participation in the parks MSTU and that you would then authorize the county administrator to enter into these negotiations. It's a very formalized process. So, in other words, the city wants the county to uh perhaps contribute to their aquatic center. In in return, we're we're saying that well, now well, we need to talk about the parks MSTU amongst other things. I would say I will say that it is my understanding that unincorporated citizens I'm sorry, unincorporated folks that use that aquatic center are charged a fee. I'm not certain if that fee covers their expenses, but we'll we'll get into the nitty-gritty of it once we pass this resolution and allows me to to go ahead and enter into negotiations with the city. This is the map that our parks department has put together. The stars represent amenities and park amenities that we as a county have have within this general generalized service area. And you can see there are a number of them. And with that, I'll take any questions or any discussion from the board, but I do ask that you approve the resolution to allow us to move forward. All right. So, I'd like to make a couple of comments to get started with this. So, and it's 80% of the people of memberships there are from the city itself. So, according to a 2012 report that was that was done by city consultant, yeah, approximately 80% were, but those additional 20% are are charged a fee is my understanding. So, as far as far as the basic, it it is pretty much for for their folks. And I think this past couple of years, we took over Pine Hill Park, which is a park that was in the city, was owned by the city, run by the city. And how many millions of dollars did we spend redoing that park?

it was 6 to 7 million dollars that the county reinvested into that park and it is beautiful. And and and I think in the in in the part of the exchange, we also gave them an office building. That is correct. When I look at we used to put money into the park between 50, 60,000 a year to help run that park at Pine Hill. I think we're making a pretty good contribution then. At this point, I think I'd say still about 99% considered blighted, which funds this CRA, which gives them a lot of money to go kind of redevelop. So, their their CRA, my understanding covers pretty much most of their municipal service boundaries. That is correct. All right. So, I I think you should you should have the conversation coming up. Let's go look at that CRA. We had Port Richey pull out a lot of property from there, probably still not enough. But we did have them take money out of the CRA, which takes money from our regular taxpayers to go into the city itself. So, I think that should be part of your conversation as you're as you're going forward. Okay. So, Commissioner Marian, you'd like to amend that resolution to include another topic of discussion, CRA boundaries. Oh, I think absolutely. Let's let's go look what's really blighted there and what should be coming out. I I don't have an issue with that. Yeah, I'm okay with I wouldn't mind seeing what that boundary looks like again. Just to refresh my memory of where It's pretty much the city limits. Well, it can't it can't be Gulf Woodlands, I hope. No. I don't know if we have CRA boundaries as a layer in the GIS or not. So, how do we go about adding that language? I I would just if you just want to make a motion and and amend the resolution with that, Jeff. I think that would be appropriate. I'll prepare a revised resolution including that as an additional topic. I'll move. Second. A motion a second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. I I have a question on that. Wish you'd start with On this on the CRA, if they're defining so many neighborhoods as blighted, are they required to fix those neighborhoods? Or are they allowed to spend the money in other places and not fix the blighted neighborhoods? In theory, they're given CRA revenue to fix blighted areas. That's correct. I don't know that that's how any CRA operates statewide in practical in practical matter. Now, the board has has asked for Yes. reports. And and so certainly we have collected, I know through our office of management and budget, they've collected those reports and distribute them as we as we receive them from the from the various CRAs and we'll continue

to do that. But with this, we'll pay some extra We'll have some extra discussion on that with the city. The biggest I'm aware in New Port Richey of of a developer or builder um uh gosh, the dad had a famous builder name. Really quality stuff that came in that wanted to build some really nice town homes. And you know, five people came and objected, so they denied it. But it would have elevated some of the housing stock around downtown, which they need badly. And that's how you get rid of blight. I mean, so I would I wouldn't mind seeing if we do a little comparison. Let's go see what the percentage of uh properties in other cities around the state you know, what they actually total to as far as how many of them what percentage are they blighted? Are they 10%? 15%? Whatever the numbers are. We just pick a few different ones randomly and just kind of get a feel for what um others are doing with their CRAs as well. Okay. Okay, so we're going to go to R33, Bill Cronin. All right. Good morning everyone and happy Tuesday. It's a great day in Pasco County. You all have had great morning so far. Hard to follow some of those resolutions. Um going to bring my Kleenex with me next time because some of them were pretty moving. Uh permission to present um uh our metric packet to the

receive. Okay, second. All in favor say aye. Aye. We're now including those in person rather than putting them in your packet ahead of time uh just like the other presentations that you get. Uh as she's putting those out, you'll notice that we are getting ready to report on quarter two, which was a another robust quarter for Pasco EDC and Pasco County. Uh I'll remind you that this is the second of those presentations where we reported uh a consolidated uh report because now everything is funded through the penny and not through general funds, so it's under one document. And then secondly, we changed the ordering to reflect our start, move, grow uh in that order. So, you're going to hear about our startups at SmartStart, uh our recruitment efforts, and then our expansion efforts to help companies grow. And then secondly, the impact that those metrics create. So, there's activities that we do, and then there's the impact. And the impact is usually the things that we love to brag about. Um by the way you're talking about cultural items, pretty soon we're going to have a uh um a ribbon cutting for Bauducco over in Zephyrhills, which will be June 26th. I was just visiting with the company in Brazil, and I can tell you it smells great. I mean, that that whole community is going to smell really really good. But they are extremely thankful uh for how things are going here, and they send their best regards to you today. I'm tell I'm telling Bill I just had some of those snacks over the weekend. We had a sports course event, and the snacks are delicious. Yes. Yes, so I think our gym membership should also go up collectively as well, too. Um but that is a culture in Bauducco really has been teaching uh North Americans how to eat panettones. I mean, before that, uh nobody knew what a panettone is. Now around Christmas time, if you say yellow square box at Publix, everybody knows exactly what you're talking about. So, uh looking forward to that. Uh our first quarter this year, we had uh several new loan applicants. We actually closed uh three loans uh on the microloan committee. And again, this is one of our most beneficial programs because these are companies that can't get financing from traditional financing and banks. Um they're past that friends and family stage, and this gives them the opportunity uh to become bankable. So, we we love this program. Uh it's where the um where where we hit the road running uh to help these companies and they're extremely loyal in doing that. Uh coming up, we've got 631 participants so far uh in our different events throughout the year. Our goal is 650, so we're trending really well in our SmartStart categories. And then also the um uh attendees to to go out and make

presentations to the community, we're keeping up to speed there. So, what does that mean in terms of impact? Uh so, this last quarter, uh we've had 18 companies launch out of the SmartStart program. Uh to date this year, and that's just two two quarters, 34 companies launched. And from that, three of them came from the West Pasco Center in Holiday uh co-located with AmSkills, one from the Grove in 14 from East Pasco, and that's the kitchen. There's something about food again here uh that we're doing really well with our local small businesses in food. As it relates to business recruitment and and recruit uh development this is one of the areas that I think most people still know us for because of the groundbreakings or ribbon cuttings and things like that. Um but it's honestly, it's not where we spend the most of our time. Most of our time is still working with existing businesses. Um but year to date, we've had 34 meetings uh and hosted organizations to present our business uh opportunities for people to come and invest in Pasco County. We've had uh a couple of new sites submitted for our ready sites program. We need to get two new candidate sites for this year. Uh and again, it's all about making sure we have enough product for these companies to when they locate. And then promoting the benefit of locating uh and expanding, that's when we go talk to site selectors. And the site selectors are those consultants that bring us projects that sometimes we don't know the name of them, and we need to make sure that they know everything that we have because they might have not just that project, but another project in the future. So, that's one of our multipliers, and getting in front of them is extremely valuable. So, what does that do for an impact? Well, 13 new leads uh this year so far. We've had 21 new leads, and that's not including projects that we're already working or leads that we already had. 16 new projects uh just in the quarter, 34 new projects for the year. And eight RFPs submitted this quarter, 22 so far in the year. And those RFPs are usually from those same site consultants that I mentioned before where they're looking for our best package, and we're getting uh narrowed down in the process to hopefully be a finalist and duke it out with some other location. Um our ready sites program, we've got uh 13 that were submitted this year in those same packages. So, when somebody's looking for a place to go, our ready sites are still some of our best things to put forward uh because they know exactly when they're going to be ready. They know uh that they've been vetted, they've been assessed, and they've been evaluated. Uh engagement sessions, nine this quarter, and that's actually working with somebody on a confidential project that that uh um

that's going to grow into something later, hopefully a win. We have 18 year to date. And then on to the grow, and that's uh where I mentioned uh most of our time spent with our existing business. So, working with existing business, company meetings, uh 33 to date, and um our goal for is 60 for the year. So, we're halfway there. We're trending well. And uh I'll talk a little bit later about what those uh meetings entail and what the companies are talking to us about locally, so you know as well. Um one-on-one counseling sessions, eight to date. And this is for exporting, and uh that's low number for for us. That's a number that what we're learning is people are are less reliant on international markets or they're less reliant on using other resources, and they're doing it on their own. Now with tools at their fingertips, they can do a lot of these things on their own. And a lot of that's thanks to COVID. They don't necessarily have to go overseas anymore to make that connection. Sometimes they're doing it through um uh Zoom and Teams and things like that. And they're getting deals done. So, becoming more efficient, we may actually look at different ways to provide counseling and services for companies since there's less people actually traveling than previous. And then uh one event for convening businesses, and that's for our local existing businesses. Uh 45 attendees for that event, and that was with the sheriff's office uh talking about security and economic security uh business intelligence. And then what did that impact? Well, we had 17 visits I mentioned earlier this last quarter. Um 24 different issues that they wanted to talk about. And I think that's one of the things that is most important for all of us to know is what kind of things what kind of issues or obstacles are companies still dealing with here or um things that we might be able to programmatically address. The number one this last quarter was technical assistance, and that's not surprising when you've got a lot of new things coming about like AI and things like that um that companies are looking for ways to improve their process. Second though was still the same as workforce assistance and that is always going to be the case of making sure that they get the right talent for those jobs. Incidentally last week at the Balducci job fair we had 650 applicants waiting at the door at 8:00 before they even opened and they got the the video footage all the way down in Brazil talking about how we can deliver for jobs. So we're we're getting a really good reputation of being able to provide the workforce that people need when they come here. You remember Gary Plastics we had the same thing where they were lined up around the block. The difference is of course Balducci had snacks to give them while they were waiting in line. And then also permitting and If I could

just just a touch on that real quick. I just was meeting with the veterans group this morning that's helping us to some of the small building. There's some new programs coming from the feds for work assistance. Yes. Coming your way. Yes. Yeah, and that's again still our most important thing we have as people. I mean we've got we've got land, we've got great political leadership but it's the talent at the end of the day and so many of them transitioned out of MacDill, SOCOM, CENTCOM. One of the things that we don't want to be a secret and I'll put this sound bite out for you guys too is our region has the most second highest number of top secret clearances in the United States second only to Washington D.C. Virginia area. Well that's going to be big that in a couple of weeks.

Yes, so when we go to SOF Week and we we we try to recruit those companies that are doing business with SOCOM on average it cost about a cost about 250,000 to get top secret clearance for each employee. So if you've got people who already have that here, that's a huge savings for companies. I'm not allowed to either. You're not allowed to apply. I think you're you're busy here. The other thing of course is is permitting and a lot of that is a lot of changes. You know that people need still need help to who to call. We're still a great entryway into working with the county staff and throughout that we also had an expansion already this quarter. So 12 existing businesses expanded last quarter another one I'm sorry first quarter another one this last quarter. We're hoping for 21 I'm sorry 21 year-to-date that we've had so far that have expanded. And then bigger overall development. You remember I used to lead with this impact is our pipeline and where we're at with this. I think right now we're we're at about 160 projects in the pipeline and that's active projects. That's not leads, that's people who actually are going to build something somewhere or lease something somewhere and we're competing with those other communities around the United States. Of those that came in in the last quarter international still pretty darn high. A lot of companies and again other people's money coming into our community is always better than just recirculating our own. Domestic recruitment still also pretty high and retention and expansion great testimony to how our businesses do here. All of those numbers I'm I'm proud of. The wins right now eight wins so far. And of that you'll see that five of those were retention expansion that's demonstrates our soil conditions here. One foreign direct investment and three domestic recruitments. 167 leads right now as well behind those projects. So we're trying to make those leads into projects to see that pipeline even grow higher. Of those nine wins you see the project successes at Vance Manufacturing, Logistics and Distribution and High Tech are the winners this last quarter as far as the most activity that we've had. 260 new jobs, 57.9 million dollars in new capital investment to Pasco County. And then marketing this is one of the things that is always difficult to measure. So we look at things like clicks and things like that. But overall our earned media value we're at 2.9 million dollars. That's when somebody other than us tells our story. So it's always better if somebody else is telling our story as long as that

they're repeating what we want them to say not making up their own stuff. But this [snorts] is earned media value that we can't necessarily cash it and put it in our pocket but it multiplies our efforts in what you pay us to do as a marketing agency for the business community. And then year-to-date 617 new social media followers. Our goal is to increase year over year in those types of scenarios. We don't have canines like the sheriff's office does. So social media is a little bit different than our users but we do get a number of hits from our local businesses that want to learn more about how to grow their business. And then we had one paid advertising campaign and that was a Florida Trend Pasco edition which came out last month as well which is a really nice way to be able to see a lot of different things about Pasco in the different sectors and also the movers and shakers in our community and that goes out internationally to the Florida offices abroad. Top landing pages still home page grow Pasco smart start no surprise there. Balducci foods press release jumped up 24,000 website users and the top locations by state Florida, California, Virginia, Georgia, New York. California slowly been sneaking up there. I just as I was driving here saw a convertible with California plates on it. I was really tempted to say don't California our Pasco but they looked like they were enjoying their their selves here. And then lastly our private funding and our private partnerships 91 current investors that we have on the private side and 47 policy council members and then um seven new ones year-to-date. So we're up to 388,000 dollars on our private sector contributions that includes donations from those companies CRA funds from banks for example because we are an easy way to check that box for CRAs. CRAs aren't just buildings. They're also job creation and and activity like that. And then our events too also count towards that private contribution. Speaking of events we've got the annual awards coming up this year which is going to be October 1st a little bit later than historic so that hopefully it can be a little cooler. Hopefully be past any seasonal storms and we'll be at the IPAC again this year. You remember last year we were at Saddlebrook. We're going back to IPAC. We felt it was a much much more concise program easier for people to get in and out and again a quality location as well too. With that I'll stop and ask if you have any questions. Any questions? Question waiting. Thanks chair. So something I think we need to there's always emphasis on this but I think we need to renew emphasis. So Florida's unemployment rate is up 4.6%.

Mhm. And unemployment has increased a point year over year from February 25 to February 26. Particularly as it pertains to Pasco rooftops are here. There's no question about that. Mhm. Um what can we do within our role as government and working in a public private partnership to re-emphasize to folks that capture their and their obligation the existing obligations connected city. Mhm. Jobs that were committed there. Moffitt jobs that were committed from it. Do we need to go back in and and and recalibrate or have a a conversation with the stakeholders that have committed x amount of jobs based on the evolution of AI? That way we understand what is what was committed and what's actual based on today's market. Um that way we know okay what we might be losing today I today. I mean Amazon's close to opening. Um I suspect that they'll probably be more digital than what they probably initially committed. Uh and so on and so forth. So I I think it's important that we if if a business that we've we've incentivized to come here that we just touch base with them and say hey what what are your actuals? What's your plan? We're not in trouble if you're going to AI or whatever, you know. On the incentive end I think we should recalibrate that. Otherwise they need to fulfill their obligation. I'm I'm concerned that technology is going it is going to put a lot of people out of work. Mhm. And idle hands could lead to an even more challenges and over capacity jail which we don't want to see, right? Mhm. Particularly in certain segments of the population. We have a large population here. So I think it's important that we we spark our new interest in jobs jobs jobs back in the Senator Scott days and then go go talk to our partners that we've helped come here and say hey what's your plan? What are you doing? What are you seeing? And what's your hiring?" That way we know what we're working with. Yeah, so so to answer in two two parts to this to address. One is unemployment, but the other in general, and then the other is those those companies that we've recruited over the years that have agreements. If they have agreements, there is a compliance piece to it and OEG works with them on compliance where they're putting their W-2s and actually counting that towards the job creation because those incentives are paid um up after they've met their goal. So, they're not paid in advance. They're they have to actually meet their goal before they get those incentives. So, there's a good check and balance with that and usually if they're not going to hit the numbers, they're going to tell

us well in advance and if they're laying off anybody, they have to tell us in advance. Um the the point about how do we lower unemployment though in general. And I think that there's several different ways that people measure it and one of the things that we're still seeing is a lot of following spouses that are coming along with the people that may be moving here for a job. So, we're still getting pretty close to a thousand people a day into the state of Florida. Not every one of them had a job with them when they came here and a lot of them are spouses that are coming, but they're choosing Pasco to set up shop and then they're going to find a something for their their spouse once they get here. The other is the way they count unemployment. You have to actually be out seeking and looking for a job to be in those numbers. It's kind of a slippery slope. So, I think the bigger number for us to focus on might be something that some of our partners are interested in and that's the Alice reporting that we hear about so often and that's asset limited income constrained and employed meaning underemployed people. We have a almost 46% of our county has falls into that area and it's been like that for about 10 years. And that means they have a job, but it's not as good a job as they should have. If they miss one paycheck, they fall off and become a bigger burden to society and taxpayers because now they've got a family that used to be getting a check and they no longer are getting a check. That's probably our most vulnerable population rather than just the unemployed that's out there is that what I like to call underemployed, but it's it's what United Way calls the Alice reporting and I think that's probably where our biggest work is is helping incrementally grow the the the salaries of the people who are already here and making sure that they're getting a good job, not just a job to get by or two jobs. Great question, sir. Commissioner Starkey. Um couple questions and maybe one's a comment. You know, we have opportunity with opportunity zones coming up. Last time we totally missed the mark because we we got our input was totally discounted by the governor. And so, we didn't get one project in Pasco County that I know of. Um and so I'm hopeful we're doing a better job this time and uh we need all the support we can get to make sure the ones that we know will lead to good outcomes are are selected. So, all hands on deck on that one. And and today today we're actually all hands on deck. So, at 12:30 um we have a workshop together with Ben Latham from Commerce,

the Greater Pasco Chamber and Pasco County government. Derek will be there talking about the sites we've all submitted collectively, but also talking to potential investors, too. Good. About what kind of things they're looking for for those long-term investment opportunities, but you're absolutely right. We did not get any of the ones that we had promoted last time around. So, it's really important that we continue to put pressure on them in in Tallahassee to get the right ones. Um one of our goals, you know, in in getting all these companies here is to stop the mass exodus daily to Hillsborough and Pinellas. Are we tracking if that number is coming down? It's it went down until until right after COVID and everybody moved here again. So, we ended up we were making a

Approximately we're still staying the same? Uh we're still we're still got majority of the people leaving each day for other jobs. So, yeah, I need your help to get more companies here to create more jobs so they stay here. Um you can look at the roads each day. It's a good barometer. If you go out at rush hour to see if it's going both directions and you are seeing that especially in our main arteries out there. It's really reflective of that. But the main thing is especially like in the MPUDs, if there's an employment center in that MPUD, really push for the developers to get that employment center used maybe even first if they can um to get the jobs in there because once the residential and the other things are in there, it's hard to get the employment center in it. The price has gone up. There might be protesters. So, having those jobs go in first helps us to make sure the MPUD has the employment center and that people aren't just driving from yet a new MPUD to Hillsborough or to Pinellas because I think we're seeing a lot of that right now where you got a lot of new developments and the employment center piece isn't there yet. And on on SOFIC, I know AmSkills wants to be in. You guys have a booth or a table or something like

Yeah, we do we we we got a booth through the lottery system at SOFIC. We've been attending for about four years now and this is the first year we're exhibiting. Yeah, but in this and every other year it's a smaller and this is the big year, right? This is a big year. Last year was 29,000 people. Yeah, and this I plan to go. Yeah.

Um but I know we want to be there and I just texted to see who it is that's coming and what we need to get make sure we know what materials we need. But I think that it'd be really good to have a sign of what you just said with the um It's on our sign. It is with the What was the number that we have the second

the second highest um per capita or second highest percentage of of um top top secret clearances in the United States second only to the Washington D.C. metro area. That is huge. Yeah. I I it's that's amazing. How do you even get that statistic? Top secret.

[laughter]

All right, thank you. Um So, I'd like to say that uh you know, the balance of everything we do is tough. And if you have too much residents coming in without the jobs coming in with it, and I think that we're hearing a lot from our people is we need less apartments, need more in. Mhm. And and Commissioner Starkey, as you mentioned before, higher [snorts] level executive housing is something we've got to find a way to encourage to get to bring them back. Uh those who haven't heard the planning commission meeting from one up in Hudson was coming in, they're talking about doing larger one-acre lots type of thing. That's the type of thing we would need to do.

Mhm. I remember years ago, Bill, that I think it was with the partnership that they said there was like 32,000 jobs out there ready to be filled Yes.

if the people were trained. Yeah. I'm going to say that I want to see AmSkills not only with the Holiday project, but um the Hudson project with the industrial park that hopefully we're going to work on with training there, but also on the east side to get more AmSkills out there to get these people trained to get those higher level jobs where people will won't be under underemployed, but the growth can happen.

them career.

You got it. And that's that's what that's what it we need to do. I want to if you can maybe work with David, David Engel, and and Catherine, but I think down at that Holiday comp area down there where they have the building, there's some land around it that with the CDBG money we should be looking at putting some housing in for people coming out of town that are trying to get trained with a no matter what they're going to get trained for. If they got a place to stay while they get trained, to get their foot in the door, so be it. When we do the industrial park, we can put look and put affordable housing there as well to create these things where people can learn, train, and then get their own place and move on and help these companies, you know, get up and thrive because that's going to be critical if we're going to go. Um So, hopefully we can keep on working with that. It's a great idea.

I'm going to send you a great news uh a piece that was on the news last night on uh Okay. I sent to All right. Anything else? Uh speaking of AmSkills, I'm not convinced that they're up to task, so an update from them would be nice Yes, it's coming. Wait till you meet our uh challenges. We have a meeting set up. Someone's to come meet with you. I don't want to say I'll just say manufacturing jobs are there. You just need the training. Yeah. And more people as you say when they know we can have workers that are trained, it's going to instill instill them to come here quicker as opposed to waiting to say, "We got a program we're going to help you train." Exactly. Exactly. Yeah, it it resonates with an employer if they know that we've we're thinking like them before they get here. That's usually their biggest question. Buildings just a building. I mean, no offense to our builders and construction people. It's the people they're they're most concerned with. I think years ago when your predecessor was here, we talked about what should the impact fees be on manufacturing, etc. Mhm. And it was a lot easier to sell zero as opposed to a small percentage. So, the same thing goes. If we have the staff already trained, we're heading the right direction, we're business focused, it sends a big message. So, it will make us much more stable. Manatee County, by the way, was not so worried about what the property tax was going to be. Like we're setting a joint joint meeting with Senator Scott's office and listening to those folks talk, they weren't so worried about it because they had so much more manufacturing jobs that that residential component wasn't going to affect us or them the same way it was going to affect us. It was dramatic. Yeah, we can be upside down very quickly if if if we don't get our percentages right. So, greatly appreciate everything you're doing. We'll join for lunch. And And one of the I know you guys have been up and down all day. We're going to need to take a picture right here. Yeah, we've got economic development week coming up. So, you all have us on upcoming resolution, but we want to get the photo so that we can use it for social media ahead of time. Of course. Yeah, no, you're fine. I was going to say you guys are in such hands. Yeah, could you just Yeah, perfect. Thank you. Ready? 3 2 1. Headphones up. All right, ready? 3 2 1. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you. So, here's the scotch. Yeah.

You're welcome. Thank you. All right, you ready? Yes, sir. I'm ready. Oh, okay. That's more important. Yes. Okay. Okay. Yeah, let's schedule or just talk. I know. I miss I miss my grandparents. What was that? Yeah, let's do it. I want to make sure that We try to do this right.