The $420 impact fee increase will go for new ambulances and fire stations. Transport fees also may rise.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published January 14, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - The cost of building a new home in Pasco County just went up $420, and even higher fees could be around the corner.
The County Commission on Tuesday evening approved a fire-emergency medical services impact fee to pay for new ambulances, fire stations and other equipment to serve the county's growing population.
That $420 fee brings the county's total impact fees to $7,373 for a new house. Impact fees are one-time taxes on new construction to pay for roads, schools, libraries and other amenities for the influx of new residents moving to the county.
The fire-EMS fee would cover about $16.5-million in projects needed over the next 10 years to serve new residents, said Dan Johnson, the assistant county administrator for public services. The proposal drew no comment from the audience and little discussion among commissioners.
"Quite a historic event, for such little discussion," Commission Chairman Peter Altman noted at the meeting at the West Pasco Government Center.
Another proposal, still slated to come before commissioners for public hearings and a vote, would increase the transportation part of the impact fees from $2,167 to $3,318 for each new home. Gradual increases would bring the transportation fee to $4,887 in 2009.
New stores, offices and other kinds of construction would see similar increases, if commissioners approve the higher fees.
PENNY FOR PASCO Q & A: Looking to share information and dispel myths about the Penny for Pasco, commissioners agreed Tuesday to hold a question-and-answer session on the proposed 1-cent-on-the-dollar sales tax increase coming before voters March 9.
Commissioners have not set a date yet but said the session would be open to the public and televised several times on the county's cable access channel.
Altman emphasized it would not be a debate or a sales pitch for the Penny for Pasco, just a chance for residents to ask questions and get answers from county, school and city officials.
"I think a clear, concise distribution of information is better than, "I'm of this opinion, you're of that opinion, let's see who can sway the most,' " Commissioner Steve Simon said.
HOLIDAY PARK IN THE WORKS: Commissioners agreed to create a passive park out of 597 acres along the coast if the state Department of Environmental Protection buys the scenic tract near Trouble Creek Road.
State officials are looking to buy the land from a developer who planned to put a handful of high-priced homes there, Commissioner Ann Hildebrand said.
The land could cost the state up to $3-million, she said. Developing a park with picnic tables, fishing piers, and kayaking and canoeing facilities could cost the county about $404,358, she said.
"If I ever bought a lottery ticket and won, that is where I'd want to live," Hildebrand said of the waterfront tract. "It is an absolutely beautiful property."
HERITAGE PINES CHANGES ON HOLD: Later in the meeting, commissioners postponed a vote on the Heritage Pines developer's request to drop plans for a 124-unit assisted living facility and a 132-bed nursing home in the Hudson retirement community.
A standing-room-only crowd of Heritage Pines residents showed up to oppose the change. They said they bought their homes there, in part, because they could eventually move into an assisted living facility or nursing home without leaving their friends and community.
At Hildebrand's urging, developer U.S. Home/Lennar agreed to a two-month delay to see if a compromise can be reached with the residents.
- Bridget Hall Grumet covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244.
