Pasco commissioners give preliminary approval of budget and tax rate - Tampa Bay Times

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DADE CITY — Pasco county commissioners gave their preliminary approval Tuesday to a $1.54 billion spending plan for 2021, up from the current year’s budget of $1.47 billion.

There was no public comment during the first of two required public hearings on the plan, which is partially financed through a property tax rate of 9.5049 mills, or $9.50 in tax for every $1,000 in appraised taxable property value. That is just under two cents more per $1,000 in value than last year’s rate.

The 2021 spending plan, which kicks in on Oct. 1 at the start of the new fiscal year, is a mix of various monetary factors. Pasco’s overall property value increased 7.7 percent, but several revenue sources decreased due to the pandemic, including tourist tax, gas tax and sales tax. The general government budget actually decreases slightly from $254.9 million to $253 million.

While Pasco officials kept the tax rate for the general budget unchanged, other portions of the tax rate went up slightly to pay for voter-approved bond issues: improvements and expansions for libraries, parks and recreation, fire rescue and the jail. While the first year of bond payments in the current budget was just for interest, in 2021, the payment will include interest and principle payments, which is why the numbers went up slightly, explained Robert Goehrig, the county’s budget director.

Robert Goehrig, Pasco County budget director [ Pasco County ]

The overall county general fund received an additional $4.8 million in revenue. Goehrig said those funds will pay for employee raises, to fully fund the budget request of Sheriff Chris Nocco, the cost of opening Fire Station 42, an additional $3.1 million in reserves, opening the Starkey Ranch Library and the addition of another staff attorney.

The county’s fire rescue services will see approximately $4.4 million more in revenue due to property value increases. Goehrig said those funds will help pay for salary increases in the firefighters' contract, preparing for the opening of Fire Station 42 and increases required as Pasco County takes over fire service for the city of Zephyrhills.

The second and final public hearing on the tax rate and budget is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 21.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners gave final approval on two other county service costs included on property tax bills. One is the $95 fee for the Stormwater Management Utility System. That is the same amount charged last year and will bring in approximately $26 million.

The other is a slightly increased fee for solid waste. That fee is $79, up $7 from last year. Increases to expand the county’s waste-to-energy plant and operate the system are planned over the next several years.

County staff attributes the increase to providing greater capacity to handle the growing amount of waste produced in the county rather than using the more expensive method of shipping garbage out of Pasco County.

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Pasco commissioners give preliminary approval of budget and tax rate - Tampa Bay Times
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