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The county tax collector wants to turn the former Franks Nursery into a one-stop shop for taxpayers.
By JAMES THORNER
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 12, 2001
DADE CITY -- Pasco County commissioners agreed Tuesday morning to try to buy what they said would be a "mini government complex" on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.
Commissioners told Tax Collector Mike Olson to bid for the former Frank's Nursery & Crafts, a vacant 18,900-square-foot building at 4720 U.S. 19.
Although the building is appraised at $1.15-million, commissioners instructed Olson to seek an updated appraisal to make sure the county is getting the best deal.
Commission chairman Steve Simon said buying such a well-located building cheaply from its bankrupt owners is a "very wise decision." Frank's went out of business earlier this year.
"That's good news for us. That's good news for the taxpayer," Simon said during a meeting at the Historic County Courthouse in Dade City.
Olson suggests acquiring the building to house not just the tax office but the driver's license bureau for west Pasco.
Following the lead of 22 other Florida tax collectors, Olson plans to take over driver's licensing from the state Department of Motor Vehicles. His office already handles automobile tags.
Olson's takeover of the DMV would include closing the county's three licensing offices, near Jasmine Lakes in Port Richey, on U.S. 41 in Land O'Lakes and on U.S. 301 in Dade City.
If the sellers agree to the county's purchase offer, Olson said the tax office could open in early 2003, pending renovations that could total $500,000.
So as not to drain the county's budget for next year, Olson offered to cover the first year's payment on the new building from his existing budget.
County officials have yet to decide how to finance the purchase of the former nursery building. Commissioner Ann Hildebrand said she trusts Olson will handle things efficiently and frugally.
"I think it would make an excellent mini government complex," Hildebrand said.