Digest

City slashes arts center from budget

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 13, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS

City Council members have passed a nearly $17-million operating budget for fiscal year 2007-08 and set the city property tax rate. At 5.57 mills, a person whose home is assessed at $150,000 with a homestead exemption would pay about $696 in city taxes. The rate is a substantial drop from past years - mandated by Tallahassee lawmakers - but it comes at a price. The city slashed spending on capital expenditures like a long-sought performing arts center and new vehicles for some departments. But the situation in Zephyrhills, where property values continue to soar, is better than in many communities. The budget includes a new ladder truck for the Fire Department and detective's position for the police. The final hearing on the budget and tax rate is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 24.

SPRING HILL

Coalition director search down to 2

The Pasco Hernando Early Learning Coalition on Wednesday named its top two candidates for the vacant executive director's job. Richard Aubry Jr., a consultant with the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota, and James J. Farrelly, a New Jersey school administrator who works as director of a nonprofit guardianship agency, were chosen as front-runners from among seven candidates. Coalition officials spent the day interviewing the candidates, all of whom also had to take a written test. The new chief will take over an agency that has been fractured in the two years since the two county groups merged. One director resigned and his successor was fired this past spring amid staff complaints of poor management.

ZEPHYRHILLS

Teen arrested in vehicle break-ins

Pasco sheriff's deputies arrested a Zephyrhills teenager after they say he admitted to breaking into nine vehicles in the Fort King Acres subdivision and Spanish Trails mobile home park in Zephyrhills. According to deputies, the 17-year-old said he stole several in-dash CD players, a cell phone and a purse from the cars during the first week of September. He also admitted to stealing a golf cart from one of the homes, which was later recovered missing a windshield, seat covers and a rear-view mirror, according to deputies. The stolen property was valued at about $2,000. Deputies are still investigating the break-ins. They believe another individual, whose name they are not releasing, also was involved.

[Last modified September 12, 2007, 21:46:27]