PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of Florida.

  • Residents will cast votes on four bond questions
  • 'Go 4 Pasco' focuses on jail expansion, fire rescue, parks, libraries
  • Election Day is Nov. 6
  • Spectrum Bay News 9 Voting Guide

And with growth expected here in the next two to three decades, the county will need some help to expand and pay for it all.

That's the sales pitch County Administrator Dan Biles and his team will make Monday night in the first of three public meetings to explain "Go 4 Pasco" on the November ballot.

The county has four separate general obligation bond questions on the ballot, totaling more than $200 million. They are basically loans the county would take out and have 30 years to pay back.

The first is for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and would help expand the 1,900-bed jail in Land O' Lakes.

The second bond targets Pasco County Fire Rescue. It will ask voters to build four new fire stations, rebuild five others, and for a new training facility.

The third and fourth "go bonds" target parks and libraries countywide. These are the smallest of the go bonds. They will target renovations at county parks and ball fields, as well as remodel and upgrade all seven library branches in Pasco.

"We are doing it this way as opposed to trying to save the money and pay cash because this way the people are actually paying for it over the next 30 years — the ones that actually benefit from the project," Biles said.

"So the fire station is built and then I pay for it. Just like when you pay a house, you buy it, you move in and then while you are paying the mortgage over 30 years, you are benefiting from living in the house," Biles commented.

The county says if the go bonds don't pass in November, it will eventually lead to jail overcrowding as well as an increase in response time for fire rescue calls.

All of that can be avoided with a yes vote that, according to the county, will cost the average household here an extra $30 to $90 every year for the next 30 years.

MORE INFORMATION

  • West Pasco Government Center, Board Room, 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey Monday, October 8, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Facebook Event Link

  • Land O’Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Pkwy, Land O’ Lakes Wednesday, October 10, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Facebook Event Link

  • Historic Pasco County Courthouse, Board Room, 37918 Meridian Avenue, Dade City Thursday, October 11, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Facebook Event Link

Additional information is also available on the website www.GO4Pasco.com, GO 4 Pasco Facebook, and GO 4 Pasco Twitter.