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Main entry getting polished and shined

A committee has been appointed to see if an increase is needed in the annual tax for other work.

By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published August 19, 2005

NORTHDALE - Those guys digging around the entrance to Northdale at N Dale Mabry Highway are doing more than replanting annuals.

For the first time in the community's nearly 25-year history, Northdale is giving its main entry a complete overhaul. And supervisors of the Northdale Special Tax District hope to continue the work into the neighborhood, if they can afford it.

That could mean asking homeowners to raise the cap on their annual tax from the current $100 per household. A committee is investigating whether an increase is necessary and, if so, how much to request.

"We haven't had an increase in over a decade," supervisor Bill Castens said. "We need to do something if we do want to keep all the services."

Castens added that the taxing board does not want to scare neighbors with wild talk of rising taxes. For that reason, he said, the group convened an ad-hoc committee to determine the cost of all needed and wanted projects before asking for anything more.

He didn't expect the district would request much more than $25 to $30 more per year.

Property manager Rick Pitrowski figured the district probably will place a referendum on the fall 2006 primary election ballot.

He also noted that no decision has been made. But if the community wants to continue the improvement projects and keep such services as patrolling off-duty deputies, it will need more money.

"The operating portion of the budget continues to increase," Pitrowski said.

Board members hope neighbors will appreciate the ongoing labor of removing dead trees, improving leaking sprinkler and struggling electrical systems and adding new plants, lights and sign lettering.

Secondary entries at Dawnview and Newkirk drives also will get new lighting and lettering.

"It's a huge project," supervisor Nancy Stearns said, citing the cost at about $60,000. "The money has been accumulating for four or five years."

Jeffrey S. Solochek can be reached at 813 269-5304 or solochek@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 18, 2005, 11:46:08]