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Dade City puts focus on new City Hall

The mayor sets a one-year timeline to decide on where to build it and how to pay for it. Commissioners also agree to form a committee to start an update of the city charter.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published June 14, 2006

DADE CITY - Deciding when and where to build a new City Hall and updating the city charter topped the list of goals presented by city commissioners on Tuesday.

In an informal workshop, commissioners listed individually their ideas of the city's imminent needs. They all agreed the city's offices need to move out of the dilapidated, three-story City Hall on Meridian Avenue.

"We're standing in the gap," Mayor Hutch Brock said. "We've got to make a decision."

He set a one-year timeline for deciding where to build a new facility and planning for how to pay for it. The current building is beyond saving, with the cost of remodeling exceeding the cost of starting anew.

Commissioner Steve Van Gorden said he favors tearing down City Hall and rebuilding on the same site.

"We don't need to be taking additional property off the tax rolls," he said.

Commissioners also agreed to form a committee to begin the process of reviewing and updating the charter, the document that dictates how the city runs. Any amendments must be approved by voters in a referendum.

Also on the goals list were issues like recreation for kids, preserving greenspace, expanding downtown parking and paving roads.

Commissioner Camille Hernandez said she wants the city to form partnerships with Pasco-Hernando Community College and Saint Leo University.

Commissioner Scott Black listed economic goals, such as supporting existing businesses and ensuring available work force housing as new growth arrives.

Eunice Penix mentioned amenities like a public pool and permanent skateboard park since the city closed its temporary one.

In other business, commissioners agreed to adopt an ordinance that will increase transportation impact fees by double digits.

Impact fees are levied on new construction for things like roads, libraries and schools to keep up with the growing population.

Dade City's proposed transportation impact fee on a single-family home would leap from about $1,500 to more than $5,200.

Combined with fees the city collects for libraries, schools, fire and police protection, parks and water and sewer service, every new house will have more than $13,000 in fees attached, which are passed on to the home buyer.

"We're fixing to see unprecedented growth in the city," City Manager Harold Sample said.

"If we're going to maintain the city, we have to come up with some alternate roads."

Black, who listed affordable housing among his priorities for Dade City, said it's a major challenge to meet both needs.

"You have to balance the availability of work force housing with good planning," he said during a break in the meeting. "No easy answer there. This is a good time to talk about it."

Molly Moorhead can be reached at (352) 521-6521 or moorhead@sptimes.com.

[Last modified June 14, 2006, 07:03:30]