3.24.26 Pasco County Board of County Commissioner Meeting

Thank Hi David, how are you?

Good morning. Morning.

Good morning, sir.

Good morning.

You're stuck with me again today.

Yeah,

she can fight some more time, honestly. 31 names

and whatever happened to Smith and Jones, you know,

good morning, sir. Come on. All right.

I'm just saying you're good. Right by like roadway. Okay. Did I meet them before? I had some fac It should be.

How are you?

Still vertical.

Still doing what the ladies tell me. Thank you, Eric.

We're going to withdraw C18. How you

doing? I don't know. I thought I said I'm sure Yeah, that's the

Where are All right.

Go. Would you Oh, that was sent me a picture of me.

I didn't understand why he sent it to me.

Well, that's his number.

You almost ready?

I do.

I had my anniversary Saturday, too. 34 years. Yeah,

I

Wait, are you going to have someone?

No, we're just going to go through it all. Yeah, you can do all the public comment.

I'll I'll deal with you to write yours.

Good morning. I would like to call to order the Pasco County Board of County Commission 10:00 meeting on March 24th, 2026. At this time, please silence all electronic devices and mute your phones. Please rise for the invocation pledge of allegiance. Good morning. Let's pray. Well, Father, we've come together today for another important meeting with uh so much on the agenda today, Lord. And as we've gathered part of the agendas to recognize the uh soccer team, Lord, we just uh thank you for them for their efforts that earned them the championship that they're celebrating today. At the same time, there are things on the agenda today that are focused on safety. There are new stoplights, there are overpasses, uh other things, Lord. We just thank you that uh our vision is to make our county as safe as possible for all of our citizens. So we thank you for that, Lord. And at the same time, as we've gathered today, we're well aware of the conflict going on in the Middle East and the fact that we've lost uh some of our service people already. So I lift up the families of those service people who were lost and ask that you just surround them with your arms of comfort. And at the same time, Lord, we are asking for a quick end to the conflict so the rest of our troops can come home. But in the meantime, again, we ask for your arms of peace and protection around each and every one of our service people, Lord. So be with us today as we've gathered. guide and lead us in the decisions that need to be made, Lord, and uh always be present in our conversation. And I lift this in your name. Amen.

Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Clerk, please call the role.

District 1, Commissioner Oakley,

here.

District two, Commissioner Wakeman,

present.

District three, Commissioner Starky,

here.

District four, Commissioner Jerger,

here.

District five, Chairman Mariano,

here. Now is a time for public comment. Citizens gi an opportunity to comment any current or future agenda item coming before the board and on other business under the board's purview. We're going to do a public comment a little bit different today. Uh we know we have a lot of people from Beexley with the rangeland concerns. So what we'd like to do, and I've talked to the county attorney about this, he'll speak to it in a minute, is we want to hear the public comment from all the other citizens that are here, uh the ones that are online talking about other things. As we finish our business, which will be very quickly where they're going to hear a presentation on Rangeland at that point in time, I think it'd be best to have the Rangeland people come up and then put their public input and then the board will have a conversation after that. this way you can see the full thing won't just be with all you know what's going to happen etc. You're going to see it hear it and then we'll talk about what what to be done next if you if you people don't mind. Um so for those that are going to speak first uh we will take public comment for those here in person then we'll take public comment for those who are pre-registered for an online link and currently on Q. When you address the board comments are not directed personally at a commissioner or team member but directed at the issues. This provides mutual respect with the board members and the public. After stating your name and address for the clerk, a three-minute timer will be activated. A green light will be shown to the podium. After two minutes, a yellow light will indicate you have one 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. And Mr. County attorney, do you want to speak just to this change just a one time change, not a president? Be ha be happy to, Mr. Mr. Chair. Um the board can always reorder their agenda. Um the state law with re that requires public comment before taking action on a proposition would be fulfilled uh if you moved the public comment on that particular item to before you voted on the item. Um, so long as the board consents to the change in their in the rules for this particular matter at this particular time, I think the board is well within its rights to do it as and I had a conversation with both the administrator and the chair yesterday about this um to take public to do the presentation for the the study for Rangeland and then take public comment from those interested members of the public. Mr. Mr. W. Chair. Mr. W.

Hey, chair. Um, do we want to do resolutions first at least with the soccer team though they can get back to school?

I think those would take quite a bit of time. But but they and everybody can cheer and everybody can cheer for them while they have a crowd.

So, just something to think about.

We can celebrate and then get into the seriousness of of the business.

All right. I tell you what, fantastic uh achievement for for the Sunlake High School boys. Let's do RS2 first.

Thank you, chairman.

Resolution number 26170.

Voice come up

team coach.

And while they're coming up, let me apologize in advance for pronunciation of names. There are many of them in this resolution. a resolution by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, congratulating the Sun Lake High School boys soccer team for winning a state championship. Whereas on February 25th, 2026, the Sunlake Seahawks high school boys soccer team beat the

No, no, you got to face that

Jacksonville Mandarin boys soccer team.

That's better.

See,

now you're on TV here. Whereas on oh February 25th, 2026, the Sunlake Seahawks high school boys soccer team beat Jacksonville Mandarin boys soccer team 3-2 to capture the class 6A boys soccer state championship. And whereas the Sunlake Seahawks high school boys soccer team finished the 2526 season with an 183 and3 record and earned the first state title in the school history after five state final four appearances. And whereas with a slow start to the season, the Sunlake High School boys soccer team ended up with 15 straight wins while outscoring opponents 53-4 leading up to the state title. And whereas with only 10 minutes left in the game, Zario Todd,

raise your hand. Uh uh corner the corner kicked set uh let's see

Jared's corner kick set up the game-winning goal from Elliot Hines and whereas the Sunlake boys uh soccer team is comprised of players Jack Hansick Santiago Vadal

Mani Aiden Sto Raphael Chang Sebastian Asantiago Gerald Todd Isaac Sto Ricky Casease Peter Aoyo Jimmy Martinez Halen Ramirez Juan Hernandez Joseph Aoyo Mike Goodnau Bastian Lenaz Bizaro Trent Hambe Sebastian Supa DeLeon Smith, Chris Maasia, Alicio Kulla Nan, Tut Lamb, Elliot Hines, Trestles, Edmunds, and Anthony Truglio. And whereas the Sunlake High School boys uh soccer team staff consists of head coach Dan uh Danielle Petopoulos

statisticians Michael uh Michael Ftopoulos, Lane Brashier and Alex P. Assistant coaches Will Fopoulos, Nick Creel,

Diane,

Second.

All in favor say I.

I.

Okay.

All right. Congratulations, boys, on winning states. I know um what that takes. I have boys that are competitive. I know the grit, the determination, the teamwork, the times where you thought you were going to lose and you dug deep and to get it done and what memories you guys made, right? How many of you have made memories to last a lifetime that you'll never forget and friendships and bonds, right? That's what it's all about. And I'm so proud of you guys. Um I'd like to highlight a few of the players. Um, first team all conference for the SACE. Joseph, tell me if I say your last name wrong. Aoyo Yo, you and then your brother Peter.

All right, give it up. I know your mom must be so proud of both of you. And Hiro, congratulations. Uh, second team all conference. Ricky Isaiah Juan. Congratulations. Oh boy. In the little brother competition. Peter won offensive player of the year. Congratulations, Peter. Defensive player of the year, Elliot. Congratulations. And you guys, none of this would be possible. And if you could step forward, coach, without your amazing coach, Danielle Fopoulos. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Danielle, you're not done. Stay up here. Stay up here. You're getting some props. Um, I I'm being named the SACE Coach of the Year. What a huge accomplishment for you. for you boys, your team, the school, our our county. Amazing. And you have also done an outstanding job leading the state championship. Is truly an honor to have someone of your caliber leading our boys in the soccer program. Danielle played for the University of Florida where she won the 1998 National Championship and still holds the NCA Division One record for goals. In addition, she was a member of the United States Women National Team that won the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. We are incredibly fortunate to have you coaching in our community. And on top everybody, it is her birthday. Can we all sing happy birthday to Daniel?

All right. Ready? Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear. Happy birthday to you. Congratulations, boys and coach. And if you want to step behind the podium and uh say a few words.

Well, before we get to that, let's let the other Mr. Oakley.

Yep.

Congratulations guys and girls uh and ladies that we appreciate everything you've done and I I know it's a great feeling to be a winner. I was part of a team that won 10 football games in one season way back in 1961. So, I know how it feels and that's that memory has stayed with me all this time. So, it's it's a great thing, a great honor that y'all were able to serve together and you're basically your friends for life. Remember that. Help your friends. Thank you, Commissioner Whitman.

Thank you,

Commissioner Whitman.

Yes. Just honored to have everybody here today. Players, coaches, parents, guardians, loved ones, brothers, sisters. Congratulations to everybody here. It's a team and family effort and uh coach with a credentials like that. We're sure glad you're helping our kids here in Pasco County. Happy birthday and um just congratulations to everybody.

Okay, Mr. Starky. Um, well, I've known Danielle for a while and my daughter Lindsay Jones played um, soccer at River Ridge and was a ranked statewide and ended up playing at the Air Force Academy and marrying, as I told you guys before, another soccer player at the Air Force Academy was on the national team. So, I understand all the work that you guys have put into this. And Danielle, was it your husband that was my daughter's coach or Yes. that um we used to drive down to UT or somewhere down there for for training a couple nights a week. So, I'm just you know, we had Mitchell High last year, we have you guys here this year. I mean, this is so awesome for all of us. And I'm sure it has a lot to do with with the caliber of our coaches here. And so, for you, Danielle, and you coach back there, too. Uh congratulations. And um guys, great work. Um make us very proud. We're so glad that we could honor you here today. Um, and um, how many of you are seniors?

Oh, wow.

Your team next year.

Yeah.

We we hope to see you back again here next year. No pressure.

No pressure.

All right. If you guys want to go back there and say a few words.

Well, I'd like just to add a couple of things. You don't mind?

Yeah.

Hey, everybody. Just to say as well, I'd like to like to say great job, great work and coach, I want to work with you. We are on the sports coast and I want to work with tourist development to try to work to get um let's say plaques with your accomplishments on the fields that you play on.

Oh, good idea.

And I think it's a it's a I think it'd be a well a good statement for anybody coming to a park to see these are the champion years, these are the champion teams, etc. So, if you want to work with us, love to make that happen. I think it's phenomenal. What a great accomplishment, guys. And and as they say, you'll never forget this, so enjoy. Thank you.

Um, good morning. My name is Haido Todd, uh, one of the four captains here at Sunlake, and, uh, we're just here to thank you guys for all to take the time to recognize and congratulate our Sun Lake boys soccer team on our 6A state championship. We truly appreciate the support from Commissioner Joerger and you guys' entire office. This achievement means so much to our families, us as players, our school, and ultimately Pasco County. And we're so grateful to share this moment with you. Thank you again for your support and encouragement. And go Seahawks.

No. Did anyone else want to speak? Coach, you want to say anymore?

Come on, coach.

Come on. Well, um actually I didn't have anything prepared because I know that you are giving me a lot of the credit, but I can say I've taken over a very fantastic program and uh the boys are the ones who won the game. Hands down. All the games they were on a mission. They were led uh if our captains would all come out here, I'd like for you to see them. and they made a definitely different statement from years past of how we were going to lead. And um they were the ones that led the boys to the championship. And then we also had another person we had to give a captain band to cuz he wouldn't keep his mouth shut on the field. And only only if you have a band on are you allowed to talk to the referees. So I wasn't allowed to talk to the referees. They all talked to the referees. And if you did talk to the referee, you would get a yellow card. So, we didn't want any of that. And I'm I'm very proud of each and every person standing up here, whether you played the whole game or you came in as a sub or at times didn't get to play at all. But it definitely is a team effort as well as from their parents, which we have a lot of them here. And um as you all know, it comes from, you know, our county, all the our school. We had a lot of support through our athletic program and our principles. So, um, it it takes everybody to win a championship. So, and thank you all for having us.

Thank you. And I want to add one more thing.

Commissioner Jenga is going to come down and take a picture with you. But, uh, Commissioner Starky, I think, uh, coach would be a great speaker for your uh, committee of a status of woman. I think she would inspire a lot of ladies to do just what you're doing, just getting in there and do what you love to do and do it so well.

So,

yeah, we'll get Thank you. I would be honored. And and our superintendent is here as well. Mr. Le, if you superintendent, if you'd come on up here with us and get in the picture as well, be great.

All the way back. All right.

Everybody can see you and find a window. Bear with me.

I don't want to block anybody. You're not too short.

All right. Does everybody have a window where they can see me?

Tiptoes in the back.

Can you see him back here?

All right, everybody. One, two, three. Do the parents want to come up here and take pictures, too? Come on up.

Just She's gonna do Yeah, I just asked her to do that. Good. So, parents, you can come take.

Parents, come on up front if you want to take a picture.

In the picture.

Oh, in the picture. So, you're in the

picture.

We will be happy to share these pictures we take as well. All right. Again, make sure you guys can see me. Ready?

You don't want to be.

All right. One, two, three.

Yeah. and go back and work on your grades.

Yep.

Great job, boys.

We'll be in touch. all the way through champions as we start public comment. Uh Walter Price with the IIAFF420 is here to speak. How's everybody today? Great. Multiprise address is protected. Good morning, commissioners. I will keep this brief. I know you guys got a packed agenda. Today's an exciting day for Pasco County Fire Rescue and you guys as well. First, I want to thank you all for your time today and your continued focus on public safety in Pasco County. We all share the same goal, protecting the people who live and visit here. The funding for station 4 is part of a broader effort that we've been working on for years. We haven't been asking for this specific project the entire time, but we have spent years building relationships, advocating at the state level, and putting ourselves in a position to secure appropriations like this when the need arises. And a lot of that work was driven by our pack and our and our local union 4420. The men and women of Pasco County firefighters through the firepack and local 4420. We have put in countless hours behind the scenes meeting with legislators, making the case, and staying committed to getting this done. Today, we're proud to be here presenting this check for just over $3.4 $4 million, not just as funding, but a result of all the work finally coming to life. This funding is a direct investment in response times, firefighter safety, and ultimately the survival of all of our citizens. When you look at the call volume and response delay, this wasn't a want, this was a need. And because of that effort, we're all now seeing their results. So today, I want to recognize the firefighters, the leadership of local 4420 and our pack for staying focused and getting this across the finish line. We appreciate the partnership with all of you moving forward and we look forward to continuing to work together as this county continues to grow because at the end of the day, this isn't about buildings. It's about seconds and seconds saves lives. Thank you. Can I take a picture?

Well, yeah, we'll come down and take a picture. And I just want to thank you guys for the work you do. Um, as we have to battle with live local, property taxes, etc. You guys carrying that separate separate agenda, bringing it forward to focus on it, laser focus like you do, and be able to talk about the great work all of you do. Everyone in the audience should know our fire EMS team is the best and we really appreciate the great work you do for us. So that great performance coupled with your great uh advocating has led to this great success. So if the team would all come up and then we'll go down as well.

Well, let's see how many are here.

Let's see how many

quite a few.

I think well you want to stay up here.

I don't sit down on

We got We got to be tall.

That's what I would do. That's what

Yeah, I got a got a tall one in front of me.

Morning. Good morning.

Morning.

Sorry, Brad couldn't be there.

Can I get two of you come on this side?

So, it's not ready. Everybody can see me. All right. Thank you.

So they just Somebody take the check.

Yeah, leave the chat, guys.

We have one person signed up that's not for the Beexley Rangeland project and that uh Bruce starts with a B.

You know, my name is Bumstead 15324 Kerry Lane, Hudson, Florida. I'm sorry I overspoke over you. Could you give us your name again, please?

Bruce Bumstead.

Thank you, sir.

15324 Kerry Lane, Hudson, Florida.

Okay. So, I've been at illegal mining in operations and stuff complaining for eight for eight years now. And it has took a lot. I'm at the Tallahassee level D. I've invited all five of you commissioners to site. I never heard a word back from anybody about the situation. So this mining that's going on, there's statebound laws now that reply to the fact that they've broken into this landfill. March 27, D is meeting with them for the activity that's going on. And it shouldn't have took me to get a hold of state level Tallahassee to handle this. And I know what's going on here because I'm the frontage of 173 acre light industrial park that you guys have planned in the whole situation of the light industrial area. And all these old landfills you guys are trying to just make go bye-bye because they've unhalf of them been done illegally and illegally filled and not lined and the different situations that have gone on with the county for the last 15, 20, 25 years in these landfills that have gone on, you know, and now some of these properties have been being mined for county dirt. The county property is being mined for dirt. The county property still blocked off of the road easement with a fenced off property with a sign for rent. now when they're not following the laws to be able to come to Legal Rental Center because Bolton Avenue and Little Road is a legal center and they have to do all different kinds of regulations for what you guys have imposed on them. There's a sidewalk that they have to put in. How come there's no sidewalk going to be going in down this property? How come there's no sidewalk down Bolton Avenue in front of the $14 million auction that took place when Bolton Avenue is one of the deadliest roads for pedestrians in the county? Okay. And I've invited some of our commissioners to invite to come to so they can see the thing in person and crickets from everybody. So I don't understand you know you guys have come at me from my private road under peac process imminent domain and you've made comments to say well if this he's illegally mining his property that's a whole different set of rules and we have rules on the books for that. Well obviously the rules a half a mile down the street don't apply because ain't nobody followed them rules for the illegal mining that's been going on. the illegal mining on the property to the next of it where the county came out and looked and seen the big huge hole that was dumped. All the stuff got back filled in it. The state was never notified that any of the illegal mining activities going on. So, there's been a lot going on in this neighborhood that really needs to be addressed and you guys really need to understand I'm not going away till you resolve it and it's going to get resolved and it's going to get handled properly. You know, state laws that property has to be dirt samples. They spread their contaminated dirt onto your site, onto your property, onto a different parcel without no soil samples, without any testing, without any permits, without anything. So,

that's why I'm here again. And it's it's going to get addressed.

What's the address again?

8969 Bolton Avenue.

I think I pulled that up last time you spoke. Yep.

You can see it right from the

blatant blatant. So, you know what saying that's why I'm here because this has been getting covered up way too long and the people that know and are involved and know exactly who they are. know exactly who's been covering it up.

So that's what you meet with Mstead.

Thank you.

Is that all we have?

Uh again, that's the only other person other than those signed up for item 31 both in person and online.

Okay. So no one online. Is anyone else in person?

I do excuse me. Uh correction on that for one online general comment,

right? It appears to be though the same subject.

Same subject for Rangeland

or

uh it's same address. Uh

what's the name?

Patrick Briggs

online.

Patrick Briggs, you're online.

Okay. All right. So, we'll close public comment there. Anyone else in the audience that want to speak to something other than other other than Rangeline? Okay. We're going to close public comment and go to RS2, RS1, resolution, government finance professionals. Resolution number 26168, a resolution by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring March 16th through the 20th, 2026 as Government Finance Professionals Week in Pasco County. Whereas founded in 1937, the Florida Government Finance Officers Association, FGFOA, serves more than 3,300 professionals from state, county, and city governments, school districts, colleges, and universities, special districts, and private firms. And whereas government finance professionals play a critical role, crucial role in ensuring the effective and transparent management of public funds, supporting fiscal health and sustainability of Florida's state and local governments. And whereas the Florida Government Finance Officers Association is dedicated to being a professional resource by providing opportunities through education, networking, leadership, and information. And whereas Government Finance Professionals Week sponsored by the FG FOA and all its member government organizations is a week-long series of activities aimed at recognizing government finance professionals and the vital services they provide to our state, local government, and community in which they serve. And whereas government finance professionals serve the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, promoting prosperity by ensuring sound fiscal management, fruitful investments, and diligent accounting among many other services. And whereas during this week, government finance professionals throughout the state of Florida will be acknowledged for their hard work, dedication, and leadership. Now therefore, be it resolved by the board of county commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, the said board hereby declares March 16th to the 20th, 2026 as Government Finance Professionals Week in Pasco County and encourages citizens to extend their appreciation to all government finance professionals throughout Florida and Pasco County. done and resolved in regular session with a quorum president voting this 24th day of March 2026.

Move approval.

Second.

All in fair say I.

I.

I. Okay. Commissioner Weman.

Thank you. It's fitting I get to do this one. With all seriousness, thank you guys for your evolution over well since I've come on the board three years ago and and finding a way to take a complicated subject and simplify it for us, for me and the public. And um you know, it's tough job. You have five different opinions and money moving around every which way on top of the directors. You have to you know, try to make sure that they're whole. But, uh it's a tough job. We appreciate you. And um something while you're here, it's it's it's it's pretty neat. I don't know if we've ever done it before, but the online survey uh with the budget with the budget process that the county finance team has launched online. And maybe Amy will speak to it a little bit um when she speaks. But I encourage anybody who's interested in our county budget and and and wants to add input on how your money is being spent, managed by this board, I encourage y'all to do so. But uh no, budget team, thank you all for coming here today. It's my honor to present this to you and know that you are appreciated no matter how frustrating or challenging the budget process may be every year. Know that we're very grateful that you choose to do this job and work for the citizens of Pasco County. Thank you, Chair.

Okay, Mr. Oakley.

Yep. Uh before Amy came aboard, uh we had budget Bob. So when Amy came above, I had to come up with some name that would fit Amy to doing the job that Bob did very well. And so I came up with accurate Amy and it fits. She's she's held up to that that point and done a great job and leadership and all of you are very much appreciated because your job's not easy and it's always seems like until it hits the end it's a moving target until we get in the right place and it's hard work and I understand. So I appreciate each and every one of you for all the part you take in making our budget right for the citizens of Pasco County. Thank you Mr. Stucky. Um, yeah. I want to thank you uh for making I think uh the budget easier to see. I'm a visual person. All those numbers make my head spin. But when you do those wonderful graphs, it really um I think helps make it so much easier to comprehend and just I I love the way you're presenting the budget now. It's just so so wonderful and I very grateful for all the hard work that you do. It's not a job. I could never be in your department, but I appreciate all the hard work that you do. So, congratulations,

Commissioner Jagger.

Yes, you guys definitely deserve this. As soon as you're done with the budget, you go to the next budget. And it's never ending. And as Commissioner Sarky said, it's very complex. And I'm I'm just going to say a joke that Amy will understand, but if I ever ask a question, her answer is, "Wait, there's a slide for that." So, you guys truly think of everything and you break it down and you make it easy for our constituents and all of us and just thank you for all your hard work you put in all year round. So, thank you.

Okay, Mr. Carbella.

Thank Thank I can hold it. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Listen, um, pursuant to what Commissioner Weightman said, that that budget survey is on our main page on our main website. It'll probably open for about another two weeks while we take some. But I've always kept the money people close. I actually married one. So, my wife is a government finance professional as well. But, uh, I thank you guys for all that you do. I mean, honest to goodness, you provide transparency, accountability, and always promoting the fiscal responsibility uh that that goes along with it and trying to make sure that we keep our finances uh right in line and in order and and safe for generations to come. And so, uh I've always said that uh you know, you've really got to understand money in order to make things work. And uh it takes a team to manage that. So, whether it's our our staff and our fiscal teams, our budget office, or even our partners at the clerk's office, uh you guys do amazing work. So, I thank you for that. And I'll say as as chairman now for the commission and been in Milton since 2004, watching the team evolve over time has been phenomenal. It just gets better and better and better. What you guys do makes it easy for us. We can ask a question if there's not a slide for it. We'll get the answer. We'll tweak things to to make it all work so we can communicate to our citizens. And that's led to, if you look at all these budget years, very little people come in to complain about what we're doing. It's more accolades. Even the CIS citizens academy that Commissioner Starky had brought forward, when they look at what we do, they kind of say, "Well, how do you make this happen?" Leadership Asco, same thing. How do they how do they make these decisions to go through? And with your uh dedication behind the scenes getting it all for us, it makes it easy for us to think make very good decisions. So, thank you for the great work you do, Amy.

All right. So, um, I figured we had a soccer team here and we were talking a whole bunch of stats. And if I were to do my due diligence, I should also provide some stats to demonstrate the hard work that happens from um, and this is just a small representation of the Dan wrote it down for me so I wouldn't mess it up. 147 individuals between the board side and the clerk's office dedicated to ensuring good fiscal stewardship. I'm proud to stand amongst this group of folks here. Um, but in the last year, here's what we've accomplished. 35,123 PECARD transactions, 48,475 invoices processed, 2,843 requisitions, purchase orders, and contracts were processed, 2370 purchase order, contract change orders were processed. We had to change some stuff. It's okay. 476 budget amendments processed. Oh, if Matt and Richard were here, they wouldn't like this one. 2562 account requests were processed. 132 funds were balanced. And then my personal favorite, um, so Dan wrote multiple millage rate scenarios calculated, but I'd like to rephrase that. I'd like to rephrase that to somewhere around countless side quests we were sent on. But in all seriousness, when I come up here and I get to present to you guys, it's not just my team, the budget offic's body of work that I get to be the mouthpiece for. It's everyone standing here across all of the branches. Public safety, development services, internal services, public infrastructure, public services. It's we all come together every year to make sure that we are getting the most accurate information in front of you guys in an easy to understand manner so you can make the hard decisions that you need to make to make sure our money is working for our citizens and our stakeholders. It's a group effort. So, as honored as I am to stand here and say thank you for honoring us, thanks for working with us on this.

All right.

Good morning. Heather Grimes, chief administrative officer for the clerk of the court. Um Amy gave great stats. I have a couple too. Um so why Amy gets to help plan and her team. We get to work with a lot of your fiscal teams on the day-to-day. So we are responsible for $2.3 billion dollar. That's a lot. This is like a massive corporation, right? And a lot of things could go wrong, but they don't because of all these people. Um and that equates to 2700 transactions every single day in this county um to run the business. So um thank you for your recognition. Um th this group of individuals and the ones that are still in the office is doing the work. Um they are great stewards of the p the public's money and um we appreciate their work every day and thank you for recognizing them.

A pleasure,

Mr. Chairman. If I could.

Sure. Um, as many of you know, I've been around a while and um, I have watched the relationship between the clerk's office, having been on both sides of the equation at different times, cussing the clerk's office and uh, uh, about not being able to get things through and whatever. I can say though that I believe I cannot say that I've ever seen the cooperation and interaction as good as it is the nowadays. then it is truly a team and um I'm my hats off to y'all because as was said before I wouldn't do it. Uh I I wouldn't sit in front of a tube doing that stuff all day. But uh congratulations to y'all.

Okay.

All right. Um Commissioner Weman, you want to go down to the picture? We'll stand back up here. Come on up this way. Every group today been large.

I know.

Four people in front. I'm used to it.

Thank you. You knew what I was in. a window shot.

You heard my window comment from earlier.

Ready? Three, two, one.

Halfway there. Now, time for a consent agenda. Um, we have a few polls. Uh, withdraw on C15, withdraw C8, withdraw C18, and I have pulled C5. Um, are there any other polls for the consent agenda?

Okay. have a motion to approve approval of all the other items on the consent agenda.

Second.

All in favor say I.

I. Any opposed? Okay. And C5, um,

I know Superintendent Lakes here with his team. Uh, there's a resolution for a question to be placed on the ballot November 3rd, 2026. General election is directed by the school board. I thought it'd be great if Superintendent Lake would just speak to it so that everyone would be better informed about it. So, thank you for coming, Superintendent. Thank you, county commissioners, and thank you for having us here today and bringing this uh resolution up to put on the ballot. Uh just to kind of refresh your memory, I know many of you know it quite well. Uh I can't believe it's been uh almost four years already, but approximately three three years ago, uh this board uh uh ratified a resolution from our school board to put on the ballot uh a a resolution in order to use local millage money to enhance our teachers salary. uh state statutes require it to be re to come up to if it's to be renewed, it must be renewed every four years. So, we are here in 2026 to place it back on the ballot with uh with your approval here today. Um just to give you a little overview of where we are and where we've come from. Uh if this uh if this referendum were not to go into effect, were not to be passed, uh it would result into a net cut of our teacher salary and support personnel across the board of approximately 12%. So approximately 12% of our teachers, bus drivers, food, nutrition services, maintenance, custodial uh uh individuals are are based upon this uh resolution that's before the voters. Where how effective was it? You know, we are now in year three. How effective was it? And if you if you look in the slide in front of you, and I'll get really to the heart of the matter. Uh the year before this resol before this was in effect uh approximately uh a week into the school, we had 314 teacher vacancies. That's 314 classrooms that started the year without a teacher. Because of this resolution and the the ability to pay our teachers more, we were able to reduce that down uh all the way down to this year at the start of the school year of 50 55 classrooms. Of those 55 classrooms, most of those are or a significant number of those are really the targeted hard to fill classrooms such as children with special needs. our traditional instructional classrooms. We're seeing a significant uh uh ability to fill those classrooms as well. But it's not just our teachers. If you look one slide further, just our custodial vacancies, the individuals that clean our schools and keep them clean and safe, sanitary for our students. Prior to school starting, uh prior to this resolution uh going into effect three years ago, we had 80 80 vacancies. you will see that's down to 15 and of those 15 that's just normal turnover of any given time where we're fill uh you know filling up the slop. So it had a dramatic dramatic decrease on it. What is different now than uh three years ago is that our our friends and neighbors to the south of us have passed resolutions as well. we were able to begin to and I don't want to say steal teachers from Hillsboro and

Penllis County. Um, but we were we were able to attract teachers from Hillsboro and Penllis and our our principles are telling us that they were recruiting and we were being successful and having individuals that were perhaps were living in Pasco but were teaching across the county line. They were coming home coming home to where they belong here in Pasco. But since that time, Hillsboro last year, Hillsboro and Panelis both have uh added a a a millillage and have increased their teacher salaries. We are concerned that if this resolution were not to be adopted by you and the voters come November, it would put us at a real competitive disadvantage where our neighbors to the south would be once again poaching our teachers. But this is not just about putting teachers or bodies in a classroom because we are able to make gains. We are now able to increase the quality of our teachers. We're able to basically go in and not just we need a body into the classroom. We are able to increase that quality. We're able to do professional coaching and ensure that those teachers that are in in front of our students are the best and that our teach our students deser and those students here in Pasco do deserve the best. and that is the direction that we're going. So without taking up too much of your time, that is an overview of where we are with this resolution. Um we are making great gains. We are seeing huge academic improvements this year as a result of that teacher quality increasing. We're excited about the opportunity of what this year's results will will come out and we do not want to lose momentum. Uh we know that the number one factor or a one of the number one factors of when people move to Pasco or businesses move to Pasco, one of the first questions they always ask is what is the quality of the schools that we're moving into. With this, we're able to say our quality is is high quality and improving. So,

and Superintendent Le, I greatly appreciate you coming forward. uh this was a consent so everybody agreed with it wanted to support it but I just thought it was good if the public could see that and I think your words today uh really resonate I think would resonate well with with everyone else um it's just so important to have good teachers and to have that supply we've gone through we've had the same struggle between firefighters deputies as well so we we know we understand what your battle is and uh seeing the great success you've had I think just like Penny for Pasco is going to say okay it worked let's go do it again so thank you Commission Ago.

Yeah. I just I have a comment. I was going to ask you a question then I saw no joke, but you had a slide for that. But just to show just to show the public, you know, show them your slide that shows really how how much these these instructional assistants and and the um all these that sports staff make. It's it's not a whole lot. So, if you took that that money away, they'd really be hurting. So right now for a custodial in Pasco 1671, right? But some of them without that raise they were down to like 134 an hour.

Yeah.

Yeah. I mean it would be detrimental to their household.

Yeah. And and it' be remiss to say that you know the school district we are the largest employer here in Pasco County. So this is money that's going back into the wallets of the individuals here. the and I'll you know clarify so you know you know this already but just there it does not go to administrators it does not go to the so-called district office it goes to our our individuals that are in in front of our students helping our students our bus drivers food nutrition services our classroom teachers our custodians those that are you know in in the daily operations working with our students

thank you Mr. Sure.

Um good morning, John. Um I am um very happy to be able to vote to put this back on the ballot and let our um residents decide and I have no doubt that they will support the school system as they did before. I think you had pretty good numbers four years ago.

Close to 60%. Yes.

So um is that what is do you need just 51 plus one?

To be specific, we need 50% plus one.

Plus one, right? 50 plus one.

Don't forget the plus one. And it's unfortunate that you have to go back every four years whereas the penny you know we got to go to 15 years but uh you're right uh the communities only is you know having a qual quality school district is so important for community and you guys are doing a great job. So

thank you.

Good luck with that.

Mr. Roley.

Yeah. I also am very much in support of uh putting this back on the ballot for you and we'll be voting for it because it is very important that we keep education as high as we can for our citizens and our our students of those citizens that that live here in the county. So I know they've done a great job all this time, but I don't want to see go backwards. We need to go forward. So very very important to have this out there. Thank you.

Okay, Commissioner Whitman.

Slightly different off topic. I don't think you have to worry about this, but while you're here, uh, you want to share about the America 250 scholarship?

Oh, anytime I can talk about civics, I I love that opportunity.

People here and the seniors since we had a bunch of a bunch of kids here today, but figuring to give you some air time.

Well, well, thank you for that softball across the plate. I appreciate that. No. Uh uh America 250, as you know, we're celebrating our 250 year as a country, but it it's just real important to me as as a history and government teacher that we pause and recognize the importance of civics's education. And the school district is really doing a a kind of I think a one-of-a-kind thing here in the c in the state. Uh we we have a multi-prong approach to promote civics. Uh the first thing that we do, every student, which is a little odd that the legislature would do this, but every high school student is required to take a civics test, but they're not required to pass a civics test. So the passing rate of state of Florida for high school civics is about 44%. Pasco County, we're at 51%. So we're doing better than the state average, but I'm sure you're like me. 51% is not good enough. uh in in a day and age of civics. So, we're looking at ways to incentivize civics, promote civics uh in our schools. So, we have an approach. One of the first things that we're doing, we're the first state uh first county in the state that any student that passes the uh the the civics exam this year in graduation, they'll be getting a red, white, and blue tassel to signify visually that they have passed civics. uh there in addition to what all of our schools are going to be kind of uniformly doing in terms of promoting civics uh this next school year when it starts after the 4th. But we also have a scholarship that we've started a Florida civics scholarship where an individual that uh is we will be giving them paid for by Florida prepaid scholarship an individual that is going into the world of civics and I use the use the word world of civics meaning public service. Um, often times public service is denigrated. I think we need more young people to go in public service. I think it's noble for young people to want to get engaged in government to make our country better. And so we want to recognize those young people that are wanting to make a difference in this world. And we are going to be selecting a an individual who is going into civics and giving them a two-year scholarship paid for by the Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program. In addition, just because civics is a passion of mine, I'm a a teacher. We're starting a really the first of a kind of a a Florida civics leadership program here where we will be teaching American federal government and state and local government through USF at a high school level where we will have you, many of you have already spoken to me. Miss Commissioner Weightman said he is wanting to come to be part of the class where we'll be teaching about federal and state local government over a year getting them engaged in government both at a state and local level. And because it's committed that's my area and passion. I I'm a certified teacher in high school and state and state and university college. I'm going to be teaching that class for the inaugural year uh all year because why? Because our young people

need to get engaged in civics. So thank you for that. that softball and promoting civics in our in our schools.

You you want to touch on the parameters what the kids need to do?

Yeah, they they want they need to they basically need to uh write a 20 250word essay, submit it to us, and then they have to pass show us that they've passed the Florida Civics Literacy Exam. We're trying to incentivize students to take this high school civics course seriously and to pass it. Um and we're looking at ways to uh incentivize that.

Okay. Commissioner Stark,

um, you know, we've taken what actually I've brought over from the school district, the citizens academy. I don't know if we're still doing it over there. Um, here because where where do people learn how local government works? Um, and where how many classes are we up to now, Mike?

In terms of So, we're doing we do one Thank you.

We do one per year, but we're we're starting to have a backlog, which might mean we might move to two or three a year.

No, but how many seg you know, how many times? Oh, I think I'm sorry. It's it's eight, I believe. You might know better.

Yeah, there's a it's 11 11 weeks and we do two classes a year.

Yeah. And we do we do do it two times a year. Um and um and they're full.

Yeah.

Uh and so we're trying to educate our community on how their government works. So, so important what you're doing. I remember when I was in high school, we had American, what was it?

America versus communism.

Communism. Is that what it was called?

Um I don't think they do that anymore. know, but um I love what you're doing. So, if I can be involved, I'd be happy to.

Commissioner,

and um my offer stands. If you have any of your kids in civics that would like to learn about local government, I would love to have them shadow me for a day.

We will. We will absolutely. I And just say I know a a great former house speaker who actually co-ees me with one of those classes by the name of Chris Rouse, who's actually been helping me teach some. supplement.

I want to say um you know having you at the helm for education is is a great asset for Pasco County. I think you're going to do a phenomenal job. I know you're doing a phenomenal job and it's going to get better and better. Uh my two children benefited greatly under your leadership and uh they're doing fantastic. So thank you for all you're doing for everybody.

Well, thank you guys. Thank you.

All right, we have a motion.

Uh move to approve. Second. Second.

All in favor say I.

I. Any opposed? Okay. All right. Thank you again for coming on. All right. Now we're going to go to a presentation for Reland.

Your other poll items.

Uh they're all withdrawn.

Oh, they're sorry.

So, we're going to do the presentation. So, everybody that's in the audience is going to speak to it. Make your notes, make your thoughts. Um after the presentation, we'll bring you up to be able to speak to it.

And your R31 is to be heard this afternoon,

right?

Or our R30 is to be heard this afternoon. So 31 would be the next one on the agenda.

Yes.

Good morning commissioners, honorable honorable members of the board. My name is Panos Conces. I'm the interim transportation engineering director and I'm also the project manager for the county for this study. Um believe it or not, it took us three years to to get in front of you. This study started in March 2023. That shows the depth of thought and work that went into this study. We also conducted an extensive public involvement program. We conducted one public workshop as a regularly scheduled meeting and one extra public workshop that was not in the scope because of the request of local communities so they could provide more input. We also conducted several small community meetings with community representatives. Uh I'm confident that the recommendations that we will present to you are reasonable, are sound, and maybe some people here won't agree with me. They will serve best the the interests of the local communities and also all the citizens of Pasco County. With that, I will introduce Mike Campo.

And if I could.

Yes. I just want to I just want you to know I don't think anybody's mad about what's there. I mean there were presentations done. The thing is a fourth it an agenda item come out as far as a recommendation to go forward. So don't take it as something that they're combative to it. They're just and and I think everyone was very happy that and they're very well attended the two public hearings you had which is more than we normally do. But we just need to make sure we get this thing right. They're concerned. We're concerned. So, it's just like you did a great job putting it together, but we just need I think we just need that extra level of public input before we, you know, go down the road with it. So, don't be don't be offended by everything.

I'm not offended.

Yeah, we want to get it right. So, you you're doing a great job. Your team is doing a great job. So,

no, no, good.

I completely understand that the local agency have to feel comfortable with the decisions being made made and that's why we're here. We are being transparent. We were very informative throughout the process and we were very open to suggestions. So you know we are here to serve the community the best we can. So I will let uh my campo he is the project manager for the consultant uh go through the presentation and then after we hear the comments from the public we will address the uh any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Just one more comment. The recommendations you will hear today are for the year 2050. So it's not about addressing whatever is congestion is today. It's projecting in the future because and I'm saying this because some people say well 54 is not that bad today. You know I can get in and out of my house today but imagine 25 25 years from now what's going to be. So these recommendations are for 2050 and this project will take at least six years to get built. So with that comment I will let Mike go through the presentation. Thanks. Do I advance the slide here? Okay. Thank you.

Thank you, commissioners. Thank you, Panos. The study begins at the existing east terminus of Rangland Boulevard.

Can you introduce yourself just for the purpose?

Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm Michael Campo. I'm with the consultant KCA who was hired by the county to conduct the Rangeland uh grout study and pond sighting analysis report. Uh so the study begins at the east terminus of Rangeland Boulevard which is at Cattlegap Trail. It extends 3.4 miles to the existing roundabout of Beexley Village Drive. The proposed alignment crosses the existing Sunost Parkway approximately 1 mile north of the State Road 54 interchange which is the only existing Sunost Parkway crossing in the nine miles between Loots Lake Fern Road and Ridge Road. The proposed improvements evaluated in this study improve mobility, safety, emergency access, and connectivity for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The improvements include both a new roadway and an extension of the orange belt trail. Advancing these. The improvements evaluated in this study have been included in the county's comprehensive plan since 2006. Planning for the new east west roadway was also included during the planning of the Starky Ranch, Atoria Preserve, and Beexley Village master planned urban developments. The proposed improvements will primarily use land dedicated to Pasco County during the development of these communities. The study evaluated multiple build alternatives along with a no-build alternative. Build alternative A includes four lanes, two in each direction throughout the study limits and no interchange ramps connecting to the Sun Coast Parkway. Build alternatives B and C included four lanes from Cattle Gap Road or Cattlegap Trail to South Branch Boulevard and six lanes from South Branch Boulevard to Beexley Village Drive. These alternatives include interchange ramps connecting to the Sunost Parkway. Build alternatives A, B, and C include on street bicycle lanes, a pedestrian underpass at the Anklo River crossing, and an extension of the orange belt trail on one side of the new roadway with a sidewalk on the opposite side. The preferred alternative was developed primarily from alternative A along with elements of alternatives B and C and input from the public. The preferred alternative proposes four travel lanes throughout the study limits. It includes an overpass crossing the Sun Coast Parkway. The preferred alternative does not include interchange ramps connecting to the Sun Coast Parkway, but it can accommodate them in the future. And it includes an extra wide median that can accommodate one future travel lane in each direction between South Branch Boulevard and Beexley Village Drive. This is in the same way you might pre-wire your living room for surround sound in the so that you can connect it in the future. This extra wide median is designed to avoid waste and reconstruction if the county decides at some point in the future that interchange ramps are are necessary or desired. The preferred alternative further

enhances multimmodal accommodations that were provided in alternatives A, B, and C by including trails on both sides of the road throughout most of the project and a trail and a sidewalk everywhere else. And it also provides a second pedestrian underpass in addition to the one at the Ankllo River uh and east of the Beex to add one east of the Beexley Village Drive roundabout. off here. Whoops. The preferred alternative was developed with input from the public at two public workshops. One was held on January 30th, 2025, and another was held on May 1st, 2025. We received 330 comments that were received and recorded for the record. The most common concerns expressed by the public included pedestrian safety, particularly for school children on the way to and from school, increased vehicle speed and traffic volume, Sunost interchange impacts, neighborhood connections to Rangeland Boulevard, and the existing Beexley Village Drive roundabout being converted to a signalized intersection. All build alternatives are consistent with the county's long range transportation plan and accomplish the purpose and need for the project. The no build alternative does not accomplish the purpose and need and is not consistent with the county's longrange transportation plan. All build alternatives require rideaway to be acquired for a portion of the roadway, storm water ponds, and floodplane compensation sites. The build alternatives each impact 19 parcels and none require any businesses or residences to be relocated. Alternative A requires a total of 66.52 acres of rightaway to be acquired while alternative B requires a total of 71.34 acres and alternative C and the preferred alternative each require a total of 72.42 acres of rideway to be acquired. Alternative A is has an estimated construction cost of 95.8 8 million and an estimated total cost of 145.5 million. Alternative B has an estimated construction cost of 105.4 million and a total cost of 159.54 million. Alternative C, an estimated construction cost of 102.3 million and total cost of 155.5 million. And the preferred alternative has an estimated construction cost of 116 million and a total cost of 181.4 million. The no build alternative has no cost other than just routine maintenance by the county or county property. Alternative A impacts 200 or 24.11 acres of wetlands. Alternatives B and C and the preferred alternative impact 26.38 acres of wetlands. All build alternatives have a high potential to increase noise. A noise study report was completed and noise walls were found to be feasible and reasonable in one location along uh Rangeland Boulevard west of South Branch Boulevard and one location on Beexley Village Drive south of Rangeland Boulevard. The route study and pond signing analysis reports report recommends the preferred alternative. It is propos it proposes a four-lane road from Cattle

Gap to Beexley Village Drive and can accommodate future widening if needed. It does not include a recommendation to construct an interchange with the Sun Coast Parkway. It provides trails on both sides of the roadway for the project for most of the project and provides a trail and a sidewalk everywhere else. It proposes two pedestrian underpasses and four roundabout controlled intersections. From Cattlegap Trail to Lake Point Parkway, the preferred alternative includes four 11oot travel lanes separated by a 22 foot median with 5ft bicycle lanes, a 5-ft sidewalk on the north side, and a 12ft trail on the south side. from Lake Point Parkway to South Branch Boulevard. The preferred alternative includes four tra four 11oot travel lanes separated by a 22 foot median with 5ft bicycle lanes, a 12ft trail on the north, and a 12ft trail or 5ft sidewalk on the south. From South Branch Boulevard to the Sun Coast Parkway, the preferred alternative includes four 11oot travel lanes separated by a 44 foot median with five foot bicycle lanes, 12ft trail on the north side, and a 12ft trail on the south side. If needed in the future, this section can have one additional travel lane in each direction added within the median. That would result in six travel lanes separated by a 22-ft median with bicycle lanes and trails on both sides. The preferred alternative includes a pair of two-lane bridges to cross the Sun Coast Parkway. Four uh they they each would have they would have a total of four 11oot travel lanes with 8'4 in shoulders that can accommodate bicycle traffic, a barrier separated 12T trail on the north side and a barrier separated 12ft trail on the south side. If needed in the future, the two bridges can be connected within the median to provide one additional travel lane in each direction and a 22 foot raised median. From the Sun Coast Parkway to Beexley Village Drive, the preferred alternative includes four 11oot travel lanes that are separated by a 44t median with 5ft bicycle lanes, a 12oot trail in the north, and a 12oot trail on the south side. Similarly, if needed in the future, a one one travel lane can be added in each direction within the median. This would result in six travel lanes separated by a 22ft median with bicycle lanes and trails on both sides. For approximately 2,000 ft east of the Beexley Village Drive uh intersection, the preferred alternative reconstructs Bud Beexley Parkway to accommodate a new pedestrian underpass and uh transition back to match the existing roadway. This segment includes four 11 foot travel lanes separated by a 22 foot median with five foot bicycle lanes, a 12-oot trail on the north side, and a 12-oot trail or five foot sidewalk on the south side. The route study and pond sighting analysis report out of order here. The route study and pondight analysis report recommends six floodplane compensation sites and eight

storm water mitigation ponds. The flood plane compensation sites require 26.64 acres of rightaway acquisition and the storm water mitigation ponds require 19.44 acres. The preferred alternative impacts 26.38 acres of wetlands. It impacts 19 parcels and requires acquisition of 26.34 acres of rideway for the roadway, 19.44 acres of rideway for storm water ponds and 26.64 64 acres of for flood plane compensation sites for a total of 72.42 acres of rideway acquisition. It was estimated that the construction cost for the preferred alternative will be 116 million. The wetland mitigation cost will be 7 million. The rideway acquisition will be 23.6 million for a total cost for the preferred alternative to be 81.4 million. Finally, in summary, the preferred alternative is recommended because it is consistent with the county's long-range transportation plan. It provides the greatest potential for congestion reduction. It provides the best pedestrian and bicycle facilities. It provides the most potential safety enhancement through congestion reduction and potential and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. And it avoids unnecessary roadway and bridge construction if the county decides in the future to construct interchange ramps with the Sun Coast Parkway. Uh this is the slide that highlights the the uh recommended storm water and floodplane compensation sites that I mentioned. Uh and that that concludes the presentation. Thank you.

All right. Questions from the board. Commissioner Waitman.

Thank you. Thank Mr. Campbo for conversation. The piece of this I've talked with Carbala and other professional staff. Maybe you panos. I'd like to get clarity on the gun highway intersection because this is all for nothing if that intersection is not improved. Right. Correct. That's just basically the layman's my layman's terms of it.

Okay.

So if we if we don't we embark down this the road for this project if gun and 54 is not improved the whole thing has the potential to be a cluster from what I'm understanding. So I'd like to get clarity on that section of road.

Thank you commissioner for the comment. Um the traffic analysis is based on projection of traffic for 2050 and as we all know projections are just that projections. Okay. So, and based on the projections, the no build condition for gun highway in ST 54 is at level of service F for 20150. And the average delay is 105 seconds in the morning and 134 seconds in the afternoon peak hours. Now, for alternative A, because this is what we're talking about today, alternative A, alternative B is not right now a consideration. It's alternative A. So for alternative A, the delay in the morning is going to jump from 105 average seconds on average to 111 just three addition six additional seconds and in the PM is going to increase from 134 seconds to 142 just 8 seconds. now 8 seconds. You know, uh most in most signalized intersections along State Road 54, most traffic has takes about two cycles to clear because the average cycle is from between a minute and a half to two minutes. So this delay is very normal for that kind of intersection. Now if we go back to two thou to the alternative B where of course the volumes will will be higher on Rangeland Boulevard and then the conditions on on Gun Highway and Straight 54 will become yes m much more congested. Then we will assess the conditions then because remember traffic shifts when you build a new road. You may project something today but the actual data will show us where the traffic is gravitating. based on the new road then we will assess the conditions on gun highway state 54 and then in conjunction with the FDOT because state road 54 is a state road we will determine the best solution for that intersection and that again if and when the that in the interchange is built you know that's not right now in the picture also the experience shows that when drivers experience congestion at an intersection and there alternative routes, they will gravitate to less congested route. For example, if they find that making a left turn from going east on uh State 54 to turn left on Gun Highway is takes too long, they can drive down and make the left on Lake Point or even farther down on South Branch Boulevard. So there are there will be alternatives for those drivers to make choices. Okay.

All right. Thank you. The question. All right. Let me ask a question then. Um, so the turnpike authority, we've had struggles with them in the past. Other counties have had overpasses. We're spending5$10 million on overpasses now. Um, we had the Ridge Road interchange that was going to be built. We had to battle with that going through. I've looked at stuff up in Hudson to try to do connections. Hudson Avenue, they're supposed to be looking at that. Haven't seen much of that lately. We looked above that before where the schools are. That was looked at, but just didn't didn't want to go through with it. I'm concerned what they would do here. And I'm concerned that you don't know what they want to do here to show the people what would h happen in the future. And you could do a very simple interchange like a loose lake fern or they could demand they want the full interchange like they get everywhere else. I think those details need to get looked at closer because if you're setting up all the rightway and you're going to go through it, you want to know what's going to come. At least present to the people what they're going to do. I don't like the uncertainty of dealing with the territory. Let's look at the whole thing now. Even if it's phase one and phase two, we should look at it now. And if it can be built in just the one phase as opposed to the second phase and it gets acceptable to the people, it may be a better way to go. But you don't know that. And that's what what's got people angst about it because you're saying you're not going to build it, but you're going to build the infrastructure so it's easy to build later on. And that's I think where the big heartache is. So what you're trying to do is like accommodate to what they want to do but you're not getting to the details and you get another entity to deal with which you can't control. You can't get them on paper and or you haven't got them on paper yet to figure out what they're going to do what they're going to ask for because if they just allow a simple in and off you know right turn in right out right out or if they want the fullness change it's going to be a big difference. And I don't think they want to go through another set of construction. We see Orlando they do it all the time. I don't think we want to do that here. We did it at State Road 56. We They were going to go put one lane in. We We got two with the infrastructure in place to make the next one coming up nice and easy. So, I think what you've done is great. I think it's great that you've done all the public input. But I just think it's early and and I think the uncertainty what the turnpike authority would tell you to go do later in 2050, whatever it is, is something that needs to be addressed and and vetted out.

Okay. So, here's some background information. uh the Tur Park authority prepared a PDN study for the widening of Sun Coast and as part of that is from uh uh Gun Highway to State Road 52 I believe for widening uh Sun Coast. Now, as part of that PDN study, they also addressed the interchange at on Ridge Road and the reason was that so they have an approved document so they can take action whenever it's necessary. Doesn't mean that they approve the the interchange so they can build it tomorrow.

Did you mean to say uh Rangeland? You said Ridge Road.

Sorry, Rangeland Boulevard. Thank you for the correction. Yes, Rangeland Boulevard. So uh so in our communication with turnpike again and again and again they stated to us that this is a countydriven project the interchange this is we are not going to build an interchange unless the county is cooperating and is asking us to do the interchange. So they and again that will be when we go to the turnpike and say we want the interchange then they will have to do a cost benefit analysis to see if it's beneficial for them to make the investment to build the interchange. So it's not a given they have approved the interchange through the documentation process but that's not something that's the interchange is guaranteed there. It's something that we will have actively to go and engage the intern pike for it to be built

and just like I went to down the road twice with them didn't get it done and maybe the second one does get done but again that uncertainty of what's going to happen is I think with with the big angsters and I think they need to be at the table to figure out what they're going to do before we make the step of what we're going to go do.

Mr. Turkey,

I'm a little frustrated because you're the one that pushed for the interchange at the Sun.

I am, but you got to get the right details.

Uh, but I I think that we saw uh in the um in all the work that we've done over the years, what that interchange will look like if and when it comes. Didn't we didn't they do a design for Right. Yeah,

there is a design already for it if and when we connect. I this this road has been planned since I moved to Pasco County 34 years ago. Um it's not a secret. It's vital. When I was just looking at our at our members 600 what 650,000 people we're at now we have two east west roads. I mean, if you recall, DOT came to me when this was uh when this is in my district, when the whole thing was in my district, and said, "Please, please accelerate this. Get this in your 5-year plan because we need help on State Road 54." So, um, you know, I was and still am for the full interchange connection, but, um, I'm willing to go along and say, let's just get over 54 now and reserve the right to connect. I think there will come a time uh, that we will need to connect, but for now, I think this is a great um, compromise. I can tell you that the people in Starky Ranch uh came to me and they want the connection to the Sun Coast. I mean, who wants to drive?

Please, please do not comment. You'll have

Maybe some don't, but many do. And there are other neighborhoods around the area that also would like to not have to drive State Road 54 to get to the airport. Um, if you remember when the oil truck spilled and State Road 54 was closed down for most of the day. So, this is this is an extremely important road that's been planned for decades.

Um, and I think you've done a great job in designing it and you know, we'll let it'll be a future board. Maybe some of you will be here when when when and if we do uh connect to the Sun Coast. Um, but for now uh you know, we just we have to move forward. I'm sure it'll be years before we build this, but we still need to move forward. Commissioner,

yeah, and I know the residents love option A, you know, in the the original drawing. Um, I'm glad you touched on the point because I was going to touch on it that FDOT doesn't have the authority to go ahead and and make the connection. And I understand that widening the road, you know, you do it once because it's cheaper, doesn't necessarily mean the um extension's going to go in. But I think getting getting the road done, completed, and having the infrastructure there is important. Um but I do hear the residents when it comes to they don't want a big interchange in their in their community. And um can you tell us like how many years are we are we looking at

um for for all of that?

So we have funded the design for fiscal year 26 actually this year. Uh we are a bit late because of the additional public involvement we had to uh go through. So probably the design is going to happen in fiscal year 27. We have budgeted right of way acquisition for fiscal year 27 also. So that's probably going to go a year later fiscal year 28. Now we don't have extensive right ofway acquisition. So we allowed two years gap between right ofway acquisition and construction which is fun in fiscal year 29. So we think we can take care of the right of way acquisition be before fiscal year 29 and start the construction in fiscal year 29. I think the commissioner though is asking about the connection to the interchange

if it ever even

well uh according to turnpike uh authority they said that that the projection shows that that may be needed after 2040 year 2040. So

but again it would have to go to a future board to even make that remotely possible.

It will have to be initiated by us. We will have to go and tell intern we want the interchange and then we we will collaborate and see if they can add it to the work program because it takes they will have to it will take money to build the interchange. So they will have to program it in the work program and on our part you know we will engage local community have like the the board at the time will have you know maybe advertise for the public hearing public meeting uh and have engage the community ask their input at that time we will have more accurate projections for the traffic volumes so we will know what's going on on Rangeland Boulevard on state 54 so we will have a better picture on what's going to happen and then we will make the decision. That's our recommendation.

All right, Commissioner Oakley. And then we're going to go to public comment.

Okay. Um I I support improvement of these infrastructure and the roadways uh moving across east and west, north, south uh throughout our whole county. I've even made suggestions at other meetings that we do vision roads. They're not even planned yet to be done, but they're there. But we need them for our citizens to be able to move throughout their communities and travel without being in congestion like pitch 4 gets. This will alleviate some of the issues. It'll take some of that pressure off pitch four and allow people to move east and west also in a different route, but it helps us all with the new vision roads and all throughout our county. I mean, nobody want that. I'll take it over on the east side. I can tell you cuz I I need it because there's a lot of traffic coming over in that area too. So, it's very important for infrastructure for our citizens and we've got to be very mindful of our citizens. This is money that we have to look at and be sure we make the right move to uh provide roadways and ways for them to travel throughout their communities without a lot of congestion.

Okay, we're going to go to public comment now. Um do you have Liz to go first? I know Jane Graeme is representing. Maybe she should go first and then maybe Dr. Blanco and a civic association person after that and then we'll take the regulars. And if I could for everybody that's going to speak uh we need your name and address for the record and if you could if you need three minutes take three minutes but if you don't need it let the other person go to save time and get the other inputs in as well.

Good morning commission. My name is Jane Graham and I'm an attorney and owner of Sunshine City Law representing Beexley Community Development District. My address is 16703 Early Riser Avenue, sweet 272 Lander Lakes, which is in Beexley. Beexley CDD has always been supportive of the Rangeland Boulevard extension through proposed alternative A and that's what provides the connection between Starky and Beexley with four lanes and no interchange on the Sun Coast. What you are being asked to approve today is something that has not previously been put forward during the during the public workshops which is a hybrid phased approach which is preferred alternative that basically says yes we'll do some version of A first but then we'll do alternative B in the future. I want to talk to you about what do we know about this pro preferred alternative a prefer sorry preferred alternative and what we don't know because that should be helpful in you actually being able to make your determination. So what do we know? We know that the 2050 long range plan contemplated four lanes and the $150 million for the rangeand boulevard extension. It was never contemplated as a six lane plus extension. So the fact that people are saying like, "Oh yeah, this has been on the books forever." Yes, that's right. But it's been on the books for a four-lane divided improvement. What else do we know? We know that the ultimate preferred phase 2, which is what you're asking to approve in this package, is very much not supported by the community. There was a poll at the public workshops that shows just exactly what the alternatives are supported. And this is in the root study and it shows alternative A5% B like 5% C somewhere around 5 to 10%. So that really needs to tell you something about what the people who have been involved in this process care about and think about. What else do we know? We know that a six lane portion which is with an interchange conflicts with a comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan for Beexley North and South guiding principles specifically speaks to pedestrianfriendly human scale environment connectivity and walkability between uses and parcels and maximum internal capture. This is inconsistent with that. This by asking to have this incursion into a very pedestrian, very walkable area. That's not what this does. What else do we know? We know that the interchange is not currently something that FDOT is saying that they're going ahead with. We have emails with Greg Moore who works with FDOT. He had not seen the preferred alternative or the other alternatives. I personally shared it with him and he wrote back saying and I sent you all a copy of this saying I have not seen this and what they're saying is not inaccurate but it implies a certainty that is not reflective of current thinking. And it's true that those ramps can come in

someday in the future, but that's not something that there are no plans to move forward with it at this time. So, it's true it's the county who is going to tell FDOT what they want and you are getting lots of input that 85% don't want this interchange. They want a So, what don't we know? What we don't know is how this will be funded because what Mr. Compo gave a presentation of showed that the different the the different alternatives have different costs. Now the preferred alternative ultimate which by the way they say ultimate instead of you know option which ask yourself why is it ultimate? That means that that is a final goal. But so the preferred alternative ultimate is $191 million. That's $50 million more than alternative A, $30 million more than the others. And by the way, the cost of the long range plan for rangeand is $150 million. So this is really going over and beyond what had been previously contemplated. What you also So you don't know how this will be funded. and your staff report says funding is not required for this action. It will be presented for approval at a future meeting when when the price tag is this large. Isn't that something you should talk about now? You also don't know how the new iteration will impact traffic in the area. And what hasn't been explained is that this new preferred alternative has actually changed the location of the signals and adds a roundabout at South Branch. and the root study doesn't include that. So things like lane geometry and signal performance and intersection performance haven't been looked at. The safety of existing neighborhoods cannot be sacrificed on behalf of unknown growth which you have the full power to control. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Next up,

please don't clap. We're going to slow things down a little bit. I'm going to bring this here if you want to scan the QR code here. Um, good morning. My name is Nancy Pettit. I um live at 16481 Acoustic Loop in Beexley. Um, I'm also on the CDD, but I'm here kind of speaking as a passionate resident and also a CDD representative. It's funny. You watch movies and you hear them like say, "I'm not going to read what I wrote. I'm just going to speak from the heart." But, you know, they actually planned it. I'm going to really just try to speak from the heart. Um, I have been a part of multiple meetings with great representatives from the county, um, with people like Panos since day one. And I brought these signs with us here today because I wanted the community and especially you all to know that Beexley since day one has actually been in favor and understanding of option A or alternative A. Um, I'm married to a civil engineer who before we bought our house did the due diligence of like, oh, a road's coming here one day, but we knew that at that time the road had nothing to do with an option of an interchange connection to the to the Sun Coast. That is the biggest difference here that's happening today. I also just want to shed light on the different workshops. Workshop one, the public workshop that Panos mentioned, had two alternatives. They had A and B as he mentioned. We then had a meeting that brought us to an alternative C option which was included in the next workshop. Of all of those from day one, like I mentioned, our community was all about option A. Um, and how many in here, if you have a sign and you're here because of Beexley, can you please stand and show your signs? Thank you. On top of that, I know you guys were flooded with over 220 emails in less than a 20 24-hour period. I apologize it flooded your emails, but the whole point of that is we knew that people weren't going to have the opportunity to come here because we are a neighborhood filled of parents that are full-time workers with children and can't come to a 10:00 a.m. 4-hour meeting. That isn't a workshop. It's a full agenda for the board of county commissioners. The point here is that we've never had an opportunity to ever examine this preferred alternative that is supposedly option A, but keeps the doors open for all the things in option B and C that we are not okay with. If you see on this sign, there's three main points that the community has been okay with since day one. It is keep the roundabout at at the Beexley uh Village Drive, which yes, the preferred alternative has. Um it also says less lane, which is really keeping it at the minimum of four lanes, which is what alternative A has. And finally, no interchange. I just want to make sure that when you all see in this proposed agenda today that the recommended board action is to approve the study's preferred alternative and yes it mentions four lanes. It doesn't mention the inter co uh the interchange

connection, but when you move over to the page four of seven of the same package that tells you exactly what the preferred alternative includes it, it adds in six lanes for the future, interchange connection for the future. As I mentioned, it keeps the doors open to all the things. And all we're asking is that we hold off on voting for this today so that the community can have public input, a public workshop after 5:00 on a day that people can make it. Thank you.

Thank you.

No clapping, please.

Please.

All right. And if you want to line up behind him, we're just going to take who's going under. Dr. Blanco, won't you come after this gentleman?

Good morning. My name is Jeremy Pettit. I have the privilege to be married to my brilliant and very passionate wife Nancy. I reside at 16481 acoustic loop uh in Beexley. Um I'm a civil engineer. I'm I'm a resident in Beexley, but I also own a civil engineering business here in Pasco County. So I understand a lot of the terms being thrown out here, and I want to kind of define two terms. I have a lot to get to, so I'm just going to jump right into it. A lot of people have said I'm going to repeat what people have said, but collector and arterial. Those are two terms used in the engineering roadway design industry to define roads volume traffic. So the vision plan, I'm glad you guys brought that up. That is been shown since 2006. We've seen it. It is defined as a vision or future collector road. A collector road does not connect to a highway. It is not an interchange. Those are arterials. Collector road's primary per purpose is to funnel local traffic to arterials for high traffic volumes. What you're talking about here is this ultimate option which by the way was not in the original presentation. It was alluded to but it was not shown ultimate option is being disguised as option A. It's not is paving the way literally to put an interchange in and put a arterial just akin to State Road 54 through Beexley. Okay. Three, four years ago, I don't know exactly when it was, the southeast quadrant of the roundabout at Beex Villers Drive and Tower Road had commercial property was a planned future land use there. That was changed by this board to residential. Right now, you just went and put residential property, people's backyards facing State Road 54, a highway just like that. That was irresponsible change at that point when this been on the plans for 2006 if you're saying so. And arterial is not what we signed up for. It's not safe. We've never been able to study what was proposed here. It was a bait and switch tactic and we don't appreciate it. Thank you.

No clapping.

Please don't do that.

You'll be removed.

Dr. Blanco.

And who's ever going to speak after him? Please line up so we can save time.

Dr. Travio Blanco, I'm going be talking about my property which is at 16543 State Road 54. And um let's start out since it's the 250th anniversary coming up for the country with one of the founding fathers a statement he made that be Benjamin Franklin way back then he was a forward thinker and he said the price of water will only be known when the well went dry. I'm here talking like always with you all about wetlands. That's what I do. Preserve my wetland on my property. The issue about wetlands is they're vital to recharge our aquifers. They're vital for stability of the earth so you don't have sink holes. And just recently, like this year, for the first time I've ever seen, forestry put most areas at high fire risk in the first week of February. That's unheard of. Usually it's April or May. Also, for the subsidance events, I just came back from Orlando. I was there for three or four days. There's a huge event over there that got national publicity. I don't know if you heard about it, but there was a giant um apartment complex like we have here. 3 400 units. Also had commercial. All of a sudden, people got up in the morning to leave and they couldn't get out their doors because the building has shifted. They had to get emergency come out and chop down doors, let people out, get the animals out. It's a disaster. It's all covered with tape and they're all homeless now, these people. And the businesses are shutting down. So sooner or later, um even though people want to talk about many things which are important to them, sooner or later things like wetlands become um vitally important. So mine is called wetland A3. It's very famous. Everybody swift mud knows it because I've been in court a lot protecting it uh for many different things. So most recently I' I've been to all the meetings about rangeand and I I know about the uh situation with ponds. My concern is there are certain like minimum criteria but through all my court cases and all my dealings with all the different agencies uh because our our wetlands now latest aerial surveys show that over 50% of wetlands are totally gone at this point. they can't function anymore and new wetlands will just they'll just spring up. So what the swiftman people I talked to and I talked to them a lot. They said with wetlands you should always go beyond the minimums to protect them. There's this pond here that originally was supposed to be right on my property. They bumped it over a little bit just on the edge of my property. There's a 25 acre piece of land that I set up on a I got all these documents there. Anybody wants to see them? Uh one of my court cases with Turnpike. Um, I ended up getting that land preserved and it's 25 acres. And what I suggested is instead of just doing the minimum and putting this little this pond over by my swamp, we went to the west side of that property. It still has the same connection to your road, the rangeand, but it gives extra protection to the wetland. There's not many wetlands left like this. This uh the PhD hydro geologist from Swiftman

was in my place said, I never see wetlands that are this healthy. How do you do it? Well, I'm always in court. I don't want to be in court. I want just to got protection. So, it's a simple fix. Move the pond over the west end of that property. Everybody's happy.

Thank you, Sean.

Hi, Joseph Elbert. Uh, 4653 Tour Trace, Lander Lakes, Back to the Resident. First, I want to just uh comment on a question that, uh, Commissioner Wait We Waitman asked about, and I think it's a very good one. When you talk about uh gun highway and the extension at the end of it and what's being done at that portion, you'll notice the response from Panos was that hey, you know, don't worry about it. People will basically be able to take the the path of less resistance. They'll avoid traffic. But contrary, when it's against his his plan, you don't see that same argument when we're talking about the overpass in uh of 589. They're building a plan for that. They're going to say, "Hey, look, we're gonna this the solution is this." But they don't build that same solution there. They argue and say, "Hey, look, folks will will drive around it." Why won't they say that here? Folks will drive around 589. They'll find a better path. Right? That argument doesn't doesn't correlate. Um, I'm the chair of the Beexley CDD and I'm here to represent our community on item 31. I want to be clear where our community stands. Beexley participated in this process in good faith. While many preferred a no-build option, we accepted alternative A, the original alternative A, a four-lane road, keeping the roundabouts, a Sun Coast overpass, and no interchange. We are residents who are nearly unanimous on this. We are against the sixlane expansion of or the Sun Coast Parkway interchange now or in the future. That's a key point. Just because option it's good to have option value, it's not good to have option value when it doesn't make sense for the neighborhood around it. Although labeled alternative A, what is in front of you is not alternative A. And I want to explain why this preferred alternative is something our community absolutely does not prefer. This alternative was never presented to the public. Alternatives A, B, and C were shown at workshops where over 330 participated, including myself and many of the folks that are here today. The community made its position clear then and after the public process closed. Staff created a new hybrid that no resident has ever reviewed or commented on. This is not how you build public trust. Now, let's talk about what the hybrid actually does. The county is calling it a four-lane road, but their own study report calls it an interim phase with an ultimate phase of six lanes and a Sun Coast Parkway interchange. The drawings show a 44 ft median designed specifically for inside widening to six lanes and the bridge is designed to be widened to six lanes. This is not a four-lane road. This is the first phase of a six-way highway through a neighborhood. Then there are the financials. Alternative A costs $145 million, but the preferred alternative costs up to $192 92 million. That's 42 million more than the plan community approach the plan that the community supports. At the time when the county and other critical

transportation needs like Sun Coast or Sunlake Boulevard and Ridge Road, spending an extra 50 million to preserve an option for an interchange that the residents do not support is not responsible use of taxpayer dollars. And let me put the traffic in perspective as well. Alternative A, Rangland Boulevard would carry out 18,000 vehicles per day. Under the six lane scenario, this number jumps to 50,000, which is 70 to 80% of State Road 54. So I ask you to vote no on this and build the road that community supported, not the highway that we rejected. Thank you.

Good morning board. My name is Buckshot Matson. I'm resident on tour trace as the previous gentleman was.

I'm sir, for the record, could say.

My address is already in your records. You can look it up. I'm not here to do your job for you. I am the evil one here and I'll take any anchor.

State please state your name.

Buckshot Matson. I'm the only one in your records. You'll only be able to find one.

Got quite a few up here.

Yeah, there are lot in the house owners ownership. I'm on tour trace.

I'm here to say that pretty much this project and the other ones. you are missing the point of synchronization. You have this project and the one on the east side which are at me at worst you're hiding it willfully at best it's highly convenient. Now this project ends right prior to Brexit elementary which you said was elementary school safety it ends right there and doesn't talk about that elementary school that's right next to it along with everyone else that you build up a scenario where you built the goldfish's pond. If you put a goldfish in a tank that's 10 gallons it'll grow to that size. Put in 20 gallon pond it'll grow even bigger. Congratulations. You are building this preferred plan with a very large pond for that goldfish to grow. People always go to the path of least resistance. All right. And then they'll easily ask once these interchanges are all put in, turn outs are in, it'll be great for the first board till the next board moves in. And then they vote to get rid of them. And now you have a highspeed rail, highspeed road connecting 54 all the way out to 41 right next to people's backyards. It's not what anyone wants. Not what anyone would like to live in. I don't. I chose my spice looking very carefully at this as well. Your own 2050 plan for the future also includes another road wrapping around the north side of our own community if anyone hasn't looked at that one. And it's not included in this. It looks like it lines right up with that first roundabout which now you're going to have four major roads potentially all in the same spot next to people's houses. Not a desire, not as a plan. I'll leave the rest of time for the rest of my community. time. Uh, good morning. Uh, my name is Brian Faithful. I'm uh, 4250 Epic Cove in Beexleysley. Um, just for the record that I I am supportive of of alternative A. I think it was there. It was there when we came down from Maryland to look at the at buying a house in Beexley. Uh it's a beautiful place and it's a shame that we're here uh and it's very unfortunate that we're here um being asked to vote on a preferred alternative that has never even been communicated to the public. But more concerning to me is that, you know, I think we're trying to fix a problem that the county has created or has a a part of the problem that the county has created. Um, I look around and within three or four miles of the 54 Sunos interstate interchange, we have at least 11 apartment complexes. 11 within three to four miles of that interchange. That's the problem. And now we're being asked to consider an option that could put six lanes right at the um the communities that you you represent. And that's it just blows my mind that that's the same number of lanes that 54 has. The same number of lanes. And it it's just disturbing. And that we're going to spend millions and millions of dollars to prep against something for six lanes interchanges that you don't even know

what it's going to look like down the road. Um so that's really the bulk of what I wanted to say. Um, so I'm asking you to not approve this alternative um, option. Go back to A. It was there from the beginning. It's a good plan and I think it supports everything that we need. Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Paige Nardy. I live at 3133 Tour Trace in the Beexley community. I'm here representing as a resident of Beexley. I will say I am on the HOA board. I was copied on all 225 250 emails. So I did see those that you all received them. Um I'm here representing my husband as well as my two teenage sons. And I'm asking you today that um agenda item number 31 be motioned for continuence. And if you choose to continue, then I ask you to say no until the um preferred alternative has been fully vetted and discussed with community members. Right now, as my other um residents have shared, this has not been done. Option A is what we were understanding would be voted on, not this DE. I don't know what else I mean they're calling it this preferred alternative but it's like this additional option that's been added on. Um earlier this month David Ingold was quoted in the Tampa Bay Business Journal saying where are the growing pains? The biggest pain is that we are behind on roadway construction the east west. Is this the solution that you're trying to find? This issue is here. So you're trying to put a band-aid on it and find a solution for it. I echo what my other residents had said with regards to um uh uh the impact of this, but what I wanted to focus on is the safety. Um this potential has an interchange with six lanes going in front of people's homes. It's not behind their houses. If you go into Beexsley, this is in their front yards. people who are trying to get to parks, schools, preschools, the high school. There are like six to eight schools within a two to three mile radius of this area. Sun Lake, who we saw here today, which Miss Merlin, I was at the Sack Committee meeting, she gratefully was excited that they were going to be recognized today. Um, but this is individuals trying to get to parks, their friends houses, go to school, and you're going to put a potential for six lanes, 50,000 cars. Now, what was added in is this underpass. And Mr. Pano said, "Go look in Hillsboro on Lindbal Avenue, and there's an underpass there." Couple of things. It's not at an interchange. It's just underneath a four-lane road, an established four-lane road that will never be expanded to six lanes. There's no room for it if you go down in that area. Number two, Beexley. It's a conservation. We have gators, snakes, wildlife. I love that as part of my community, but you want children and people to go underneath underpasses that are going to be built in a wetland area. It is not a solution that would be viable for Beexley. So I ask you to think about this, the safety for the children, not just today, but in 2050. My house is not going to move in 2050. It is still going to be in Beexley, and there's still going to be homes that I would like to go to the community. So I ask you, especially, Miss uh Commissioner Joerger, this is your area. I ask you to put a motion out to either continue with this or vote no on this

option. Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you. Hi, good morning. Matias Piery, 4361 Tour Trace, Lando Lakes. Uh, thank you commissioners for the time today and thank you all for the individual meetings that we had as well. I'm a resident of Beexley and as well the HOA president. I'd like to talk today about fiscal responsibility. As we all stated in the comprehensive plan back in 2006, option A was essentially what was agreed to at that time. Option A is what Beexley supports. Option A is a $145 million project. What we're now contemplating today is a preferred alternative that is $40 million more than option A. So it's $40 million on a gamble that hey, I'd like to see an interchange down the road. Hey, I think maybe we'll add it in 2040 when it's needed. In my house, we don't spend $40 million today or my businesses I run, we don't spend $40 million today or 30% more of the budget on something I think may happen down the road. I can tell you the example was made of surround sound in a house. Surround sound in a house. I agree. Sometimes you build a house, you put in surround sound wiring for it. You actually used to do that, but when you did it, it was a $1,000. It wasn't $40 million. And maybe you added it down the road. When I built my house eight years ago, we put in telephone jacks and cable outlets and all that. We paid extra money for that. Now it's all wasted. It was no good money. We don't know that money put into this project today for an interchange will mean anything in t 10 years. Building methodologies, systems, ways of movement change every single year and we don't know what comes at that time. Again, $40 million is not an insignificant amount of money. The percentage spent on that for something that may happen down the road and we may have FDA approve it is way too much to gamble on as we move forward. Those funds could be used to improve 54. 41 and 54 is an absolute nightmare. We've talked about 54 the whole time. That's the big pinch point on 54 at this point is 41 and 54. We've also not talked about what about connecting Sunlake from Beexley Village Drive up to Ridge Road. That could eliminate some of this traffic. What about the project to extend Tower Road out to 41 and ultimately 52? I'm not sure where that's at at this point, but that could alleviate some of 54. There's numbers of alternatives that this $40 million could go to rather than a gamble of everyone's money to say, "Hey, maybe this will happen down the road." I'd ask that you support option A and take the preferred alternative off the table. Thank you.

So 158, I get two more speakers.

Lisa Lopatine, 4233 Epic Cove. I'm a resident Beexley. Been there for 7 years. Uh when we came down initially looking at the community, um we were actually told that there would be a road eventually going and we were like, "Okay, that's great. You have to expand. You have to make more roadways. You have to do things so people can get around and do the things that they need to do." What we never thought would ever happen is a proposed interchange coming in. The way Beexley is set up, I just don't feel an interchange is the appropriate thing to put in. I cons I get concerns about with the Amazon that's down the road if you have say an Amazon driver get on there with his big 18-wheeler and he might decide to get off at that exit as opposed to going on down to 54 and going in the way it's supposed to go. So, you're opening it up to not just pedestrian traffic, you're opening it up to uh any kind of traffic that might want to flow off of that. I understand y'all have a hard job. I totally get that and I totally appreciate your time that y'all take to do your job, but I really please please consider your vote very carefully and I ask that you vote for option A because that's the one that makes the most sense for our community. Thank you.

Wow. Okay.

Christy King, 3929 Tour Trace, Land of Lakes.

Um I am a resident of Beexley and I just wanted to speak on some of the concerns that we have with the new alternative proposal. Um it was not given as an option for all the previous meetings. So we do feel like we've been hoodwinkedked in a sense to the fact that is still being labeled um option A when it's now an alternative. If you look at the infrastructure that they're trying to connect to, whether you look at Starky at Gun Highway in Rangeland Road where no light exists, no roundabout exists, you're going to have an influx of people who are taking this new extension to get to 54. If you look at the roundabout that currently exists in Beexley, it's a one- lane roundabout that you're proposing to uh add two to potentially three lanes of incoming traffic into a roundabout. This roundabout, if you've ever been there, is heavily populated with pedestrians, people who are walking to elementary school in the morning, people are walking to their amenities within their community, and you're wanting to put an influx of traffic that doesn't even pertain to the community. There are several other areas in Pasco County that I think would help um relieve some of the congestion that you have on 54, as mentioned previously, extending Tower Road, extending Sun Lake up to Ridge Road. And I feel like by putting this um extension in that we knew was an option. All of us had looked and seen the maps. It was meant to be a small alleviation of traffic, not a major thoroughfare for you to add an extension onto the Sun Coast Parkway. I really wish that you would reconsider and choose to table this until more time and consideration be given. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, guys. Um I'm an owner at 16778. your name, please, sir.

Paul Ducharm,

had you signed up previously?

No, I did not.

Okay.

I wasn't going to say anything, but then after the planner's presentation, I was having a hard time not jumping out of my seat.

And your address, please.

Yes, it's 16778 Courtyard Loop.

Thank you.

My house at Courtyard Loops the wetlands. And when I see these presentations and I'm hearing about the impacts on the wetlands, I'm thinking, what the hell is going on with that? Wetlands are sacred. That was brought up earlier by somebody else, but we're going to be impacting wetlands to build these highways that nobody wants. Um, and a little bit about me, I come from the Boston area where I retired from construction management and had spent more than a decade working on Boston's infamous big dig. So, I understand how some of this stuff works. And I did look at what uh listen to what you were saying about that intersection at Gun Highway. It's just a simple little diagram. You cannot imagine how complicated that intersection is going to be. And then it comes around the back side of those subdivisions, crosses over the Sun Coast Parkway, which is a 200 foot wide expanse, crosses over and abuts and comes into a U rotary at Beexley subdivision. To me, that's like looking at a bulldozer, you know, in a playground. you know that that four-lane highway is going to go busting through that rotary and just going to keep on going. The one thing too about my experience with the big dig is that with a lot of these public public projects is that they throw out numbers projections of things 25 years down the road, they don't know. They don't know and they don't have any control over the expenses. We heard earlier in this commission meeting that there were problems funding teachers salaries, money needed to be spent on fire departments, but here we are looking at spending over almost $200 million on a road that most people don't want. They have done polls in the Basley subdivision. Over 80% of the people don't want them. So save the money. Don't do it. We don't need that stupid road. There are other alternatives. you need better planners and we need better um oversight from this commission on this stuff. So again, I didn't think I was going to speak, but again, after that presentation, I just couldn't. I had a hard time staying in my seat hearing that. There's a million holes you can punch in that thing, and I'm not going to do it because I don't have the time. But um I would say table this for now.

Thank you.

Please.

All right, these are the last two speakers. If you can please don't repeat what has been said.

Mr. Chairman, honorable board, my name is David Silverstein, 15590 Sweet Springs Bend in the preserve. I have one sightspecific for our community and one collective issue for all communities. After the original meeting, we found a series of drawings on the maps indicating sidewalk entrances into our community which read only if the CDD wants it. We don't. I'm a supervisor on the CDD. And we communicated this information accordingly to Mr. Panos Conces who indicated yes, we will remove from the conceptual plans all sidewalk and walkway connections. That communication was in February of this year of last year. Subsequent to that, we had another meeting and the maps were put up again and all of them continued to show the sidewalk connections. It was brought up to their attention with forwarded emails and the response to that was, "Thank you for reminding me. I enjoyed talking with you. We will remove it." As of three months ago on your website, those sidewalk connections are still showing up if approved by the CDD. I would appreciate please if Mr. Consus and his team could please address this appropriately and get rid of it because we do not want them. There are two sidewalks entering the community. One out of Sweet Springs and the other one out of Tuxen Wind Place, which we have been confirmed already will disappear, but as of three months ago, it's still on your maps. last and only of great importance to all communities. It takes 20 years apparently to make a decision about how something will eventually happen. And I read that the impact on noise is high. Well, we can all still hear 589 and the big question when I brought it up was what will be done and the answer was once it's built, we will do a study to see how to address it. I really think somebody has to by now have a clue on how to address noise coming off of a highway into a community. This is not reinventing the wheel. Please don't pass this until somebody addresses these issues. Thank you.

Uh these are the last two. We have nine people online, but those people online are going to have to have it after the break.

Uh good afternoon. My apologies for my appearance. I'm one of those working parents that sprinted over to try to make this meeting. Uh I will try to keep it short short and sweet. Uh my name is Basilio Samanosyanakis. I live at 3392 Tour Trace uh in the Beexley community in Land of Lakes. I'm here today uh not just as resident but as a parent of two young children. Uh my wife uh herself could not make it. She is a Pasco County native and we chose to move to Beexley specifically because it is known as a safe and walkable community. Uh, every day I see children riding bikes, families walking the trails, and parents pushing strollers. That is the environment we chose for our children. Safety is not just a general concern for me. It is very personal. We have personally lost a family member who was struck by a vehicle and passed away. So, I understand very clearly how traffic and speed can change lives forever. I understand the county is growing and the additional roads are needed. I'm not opposed to growth or infrastructure, but my concern is that this project could effectively create a highway connection and a cut-through route for people trying to avoid State Route 54, bringing regional traffic directly in front of a community where children live, walk, and play. I respectfully ask the commission to prior prioritize the safety of existing communities and ensure this road is as a local connector and not a regional cut through quarter. Thank you for your time and your service to Pasco County. Okay, last speaker for this break. Before the break.

Hi. Um, my name is Adam Saunders. I live at 17896 Everlong Drive, uh, Lando Lakes, Florida. Uh, I'm a Beexley resident. I'm also on the CDD and the HOA. Um, but I'm here speaking at in my individual capacity just as a resident. Um, when I drove here today, I passed through the Beexley roundabout on Beexley Village Drive. I think I passed a pair of sandill cranes, a group of people jogging. Um, a person on a bike who I think was taking their their kid to school. Um, Beexsley has an undeniable uh charming residential character. I think that's the reason a lot of people moved to Beexley. A lot of people move into Beexley currently. Um, for that for that reason, for that that uh that idealic lifestyle. Um, that brings me to Rangeland Boulevard. Um over the past year, our community has been really actively participating in this process. You saw um the the attendance of those workshops, a lot of that was Beexley residents. Um throughout this process, um Beexley has consistently supported alternative A um including the fourlane roadway, um preserving the roundabout on Beexley Village Drive, um the Sun Coast overpass, and uh no new interchange connection. Um we attended the public meetings, submitted comments, evaluated alternatives A and B and then later alternative C um when it was introduced. Um now this new proposed uh preferred alternative. U this proposal includes a widened median to accommodate a potential six lane expansion from South Branch to Beexley Village Drive and a future interchange connection to the Sun Coast Parkway. Um this is all despite the expression of a strong opposition um from the Baxley community and surrounding communities um which would be most directly impacted. I know um Mr. Contest has said that this proposal does not include any interchange but I think creating the infrastructure for that interchange creates the uh temptation to build it in the future. Um many residents view this rightly so as an indirect attempt to enable the interchange um which was previously rejected at at all levels of public comment when we have had that opportunity. Um, this preferred alternative also does not include any uh meaningful measures for noise mitigation, which I think is something a previous commenter had had brought up, or traffic calming beyond the existing roundabout, um, to preserve the the important residential character of Beexley. Um, additionally, and this is a small point, but I think it's something meaningful. Um, when I reviewed the route study, um, the assumptions, uh, of which I assume under the the drive for this project, something that stuck out to me was the projected increase in average annual daily traffic on Broadport's Run from 3500 to 5,000 by 2050 um, for a road that is effectively an enclosed area with no new capacity for residential development or or areas of ingress.

Please wrap it up, sir.

I'm sorry.

Please wrap it up. Your time's up.

Oh, okay. Well, then I I appreciate your time then. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you. All right. So, it is 12:11. We're past our normal break at noon time. Sorry I went on so long. We'll take up the item as soon as we get back at um 1:30. Finish the public comment. I know we had nine people online.

Correct.

So, let them know at 1:30 to come back and we'll go. We're journ for now till 1:30. Thank you.

Wow. too much in the bedroom.