Pasco County commissioners want to add a third monthly meeting focused on land-use cases. The change could give Wesley Chapel residents more say over zoning and development decisions in their fast-growing community.

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed the idea at its Sept. 22 meeting in New Port Richey, as first reported by the Hernando Sun. County staff presented five scheduling options. The board favored adding a third session dedicated to land-use items, similar to what Hernando and Manatee counties already do.

No vote was taken. Chairman Jack Mariano directed staff to return in December with a narrower plan, including cost estimates and possible locations.

"It shouldn't cost people money to have to come here and speak to us," District 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman said at the meeting, according to Tampa Bay Beacons reporting.

Weightman pushed for the schedule review after attending a Saint Leo Town Commission meeting in May where roughly 200 residents packed a land-use hearing, some peering through windows from outside. Pasco currently holds two meetings a month, alternating between New Port Richey and Dade City. Both start at 10 a.m.

District 4 Commissioner Lisa Yeager said she preferred a centrally located site, pointing to the Pasco County Utilities building in Land O' Lakes, which already hosts commission workshops.

Not all commissioners were eager to change the schedule. Commissioner Ron Oakley favored keeping the current setup, possibly with a 9:30 a.m. start. Commissioner Kathryn Starkey raised safety concerns about residents traveling across Pasco after dark, particularly on State Road 52.

County Clerk Nikki Alvarez-Sowles warned that evening meetings would require overtime not currently budgeted. Previous night sessions sometimes lasted until 1 or 2 a.m., she said. Mariano tabled the discussion, telling colleagues to let the ideas settle before revisiting in December.

Sheriff's budget: SRO costs and insurance gap

Commissioners also scrutinized the Pasco Sheriff's Office (PSO) budget at the same meeting.

The PSO spends $2.58 million on school resource officers (SROs) and $2.43 million on school crossing guards. Pasco County Schools pays $4.09 million to cover SROs during 180 school days at 8.5 hours per day. The sheriff's office bears the full cost for the remaining 185 days, most of which go to training and paid time off.

Weightman called the arrangement an unfunded mandate and said the school district should cover more of the cost. He pointed to a millage rate on the ballot that the commission approved for the school district, arguing that revenue could help pay for SROs.

Separately, PSO's proposed budget sets aside $13.8 million for deputy health insurance claims, but actual claims are projected to hit $16 million this year. Staff proposed drawing $1.2 million from a county reserve fund holding $4.5 million to close part of the gap. The state requires reserves cover at least 60 days of claims. No final vote on the reserve draw was confirmed in available records.

Other actions

The board approved a rezoning for Kitten Trail Farms, changing 14.57 acres one mile east of Kitten Trail and Hicks Road from agricultural to agricultural-residential. The change allows the property to be divided into 2.5-acre lots.

Commissioners also approved a $1.6 million purchase, plus closing costs, of 2.15 acres at 12417 Clock Tower Parkway in Hudson for senior housing and an activity center. The property, bought from Sober Lyfe Inc., includes two office buildings.

A $3.7 million sidewalk project in the Moon Lake area won approval as well. Yeager said the project would add nearly four miles of sidewalks connecting 18 bus stops.

Staff will present a refined third-meeting proposal to the board in December.