Check out the following press releases submitted for the month of February 2023
Pasco County Corrections Breaks Ground on Jail Expansion
~~Construction underway on new inmate housing facility & virtual visitation center~~
MEDIA RELEASE | Feb. 23, 2023
Media Relations & Communications
Pasco County
P 727.815.7177
8744 Government Drive, Bldg. A
New Port Richey, FL 34654
pio@mypasco.net
www.mypasco.net
LAND O’ LAKES, FL —- Voters decided – and now work is underway! The Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BCC) is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of a major construction project to expand the Pasco County Corrections Center in Land O’ Lakes.
Voters approved the $145 million jail project in 2018. This expansion will provide hundreds of additional beds, allowing us to better serve our inmates and make the facility safer for our Corrections team members.
Watch HERE to learn more about this exciting project, as county leaders break ground!
Expansion Details:
- 28.5 Acres
- 608 New Beds
- New/Updated Facilities:
- Kitchen
- Laundry
- Medical & Mental Health Areas
- Inmate Intake/Release Areas
- Staff Support & Admin. Offices
- Pre-Trial Hearing Area
“We thank the voters – and know this expansion will be a great benefit to Pasco County,” said BCC Chair Jack Mariano. “The safety of our Corrections officers is paramount, and this is a great win for our dedicated team members.”
The jail expansion project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025. Moss & Associates is spearheading construction work.
To learn more about Pasco County Corrections, including how you can join our team, click HERE.
Pasco County Offers More Homebuyer Assistance
~~Updates to Down Payment Assistance Program for eligible buyers~~
MEDIA RELEASE | Feb. 21, 2023
Media Relations & Communications
Pasco County
P 727.815.7177
8744 Government Drive, Bldg. A
New Port Richey, FL 34654
pio@mypasco.net
www.mypasco.net
PASCO COUNTY, FL —- Are you ready to buy a home, but worry about the down payment? Pasco County Community Development is proud to announce changes to our Down Payment Assistance Program that will provide additional affordable housing options for our customers!
Changes Include:
- Maximum amount buyer can qualify to borrow increasing from $25K to $50K
- Maximum sales price of home increasing from $200K to $275K
You can qualify for the program if you live in Pasco County and earn less than 120% of the Area Median Income.
For more information, call 727.834.3447 or visit mypas.co/HomeBuyers.
To learn more about Pasco Community Development programs and services, visit MyPasco.net.
Keep Pasco Beautiful to Host Great American Cleanup
MEDIA RELEASE | Feb. 17, 2023
Media Relations & Communications
Pasco County
P 727.815.7177
8744 Government Drive, Bldg. A
New Port Richey, FL 34654
pio@mypasco.net
www.mypasco.net
There are many great green spaces and waterways in Pasco County that improve the quality of life for us – and for the wildlife that call these areas home. That’s why keeping our open spaces clean is a top priority for Keep Pasco Beautiful! We’re partnering with Pasco County again this year to recruit volunteers for the annual Great American Cleanup.
Event Details:
WHEN: Saturday, March 4, 2023
TIME: 8 a.m. to Noon
WHERE: Various Locations
Volunteer registration is open through February 24. Disposable gloves, trash bags and Great American Cleanup T-shirts will be provided, while supplies last.
“There is no trash fairy, and litter doesn’t magically disappear,” says Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King. “This is a great opportunity to educate our youth about litter and start
effecting behavioral change in our community.”
In 2022, 761 volunteers picked up 22.65 tons of trash at 43 locations throughout Pasco. This year,
we hope to get more volunteers involved to clean up even more spaces. This event is a partnership among Keep Pasco Beautiful, Pasco County Public Works, Pasco County Solid Waste, Coastal Waste & Recycling and Tampa Bay Water. For more information about Keep Pasco Beautiful, visit: keeppascobeautiful.org.
Openings on Pasco MPO’s Advisory Committees
~~Community members needed to fill multiple committee spots~~
MEDIA RELEASE | Feb. 15, 2023
Media Relations & Communications
Pasco County
P 727.815.7177
8744 Government Drive, Bldg. A
New Port Richey, FL 34654
pio@mypasco.net
www.mypasco.net
If you’re interested in helping improve transportation in Pasco County, our Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has several opportunities to serve on MPO Board advisory committees.
Both the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) have multiple openings, and we invite any interested members of our community to apply.
The CAC advises the MPO Board on transportation planning processes and addresses both short and long-range planning issues. The BPAC makes recommendations to the MPO board on the following:
- Bikeway and Pedestrian System
- Safety
- Security
- Education
- Engagement
Applications to join either committee can be submitted at: mypas.co/AdvisoryBoardApp
The CAC has openings within County Commission Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, the cities of New Port Richey, Zephyrhills and Port Richey – as well as at-large members living anywhere in Pasco County.
BPAC openings are available to people who only live or own a business in Pasco County.
For more information about MPO committee opportunities, please visit: mypas.co/MPOCommittees
Pasco Animal Services Restricts Dog Intakes Due to Parvovirus
MEDIA RELEASE | Feb. 14, 2023
Media Relations & Communications
Pasco County
P 727.815.7177
8744 Government Drive, Bldg. A
New Port Richey, FL 34654
pio@mypasco.net
www.mypasco.net
~~Shelter taking strays for emergencies only; adoptions & other services remain open~~
Following two positive cases of Canine Parvovirus, Pasco County Animal Services (PCAS) is limiting stray intakes and suspending owner surrenders of dogs for the next 14 days.
PCAS will remain open for adoptions, surgeries, rescue transfers, vaccine & microchip clinics, pet licensing and owner-requested euthanasia needs. Only healthy, asymptomatic dogs will be available for adoption, with adopters required to sign waivers warning of potential exposure to Parvovirus.
“This situation shows the importance of vaccinating your pets against Parvovirus and other potentially deadly diseases,” said PCAS Director Mike Shumate. “We appreciate our customers’ understanding as we work to ensure the health of the animals in our care and in the community.”
The two adult dogs who tested positive for Parvovirus were vaccinated at PCAS and had been at the shelter for more than a month. They’re undergoing treatment. Based on guidance from veterinary professionals, we believe this virus may be present in our community. If your pet experiences symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting or diarrhea, please contact your veterinarian.
Illnesses are common in pet shelters. Although PCAS strives to provide quality preventative care and treatment, diseases cannot always be avoided. If you find a lost pet, we encourage you to visit our PCAS webpage for tips on how to find the owner.
Suncoast Credit Union Challenges Community in
Million Dollar Match for Feeding Tampa Bay
Media Release | Feb. 13, 2023
Brock Communications
E: ben@brockcomm.com
Suncoast Credit Union announces a one million dollar match donation to support Feeding Tampa Bay’s new location on Causeway Boulevard in Tampa. The match campaign is currently running and ends on February 28th, 2023.
Suncoast’s funding will secure naming rights for an Education Center/Training Classroom at the building,
which will serve as a launchpad for training and resource programs for families, children, seniors, and
community members.
Suncoast encourages and invites the community at large to join the match which will contribute a dollar
for every dollar donated, doubling the original amount given. Contributions can be made by visiting:
hungerfree2025.com.
“Contributing funds towards meaningful initiatives and engaging our community in impactful change is
what Suncoast Credit Union is all about,” said Kevin Johnson, President & CEO, Suncoast Credit Union. “Food insecurity is a critical issue that cannot be ignored if we want to have healthy families and communities. We believe the community will rally around supporting Feeding Tampa Bay and that this effort will make a difference for years to come.”
The Feeding Tampa Bay footprint serves 10 counties in which Suncoast Credit Union also serves: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Hernando, Sumter, and Citrus. Suncoast Credit Union has supported Feeding Tampa Bay for several years with employees volunteering
a total of over 641 hours.
On January 31st, Feeding Tampa Bay announced the groundbreaking of a headquarters expansion. The
new facility will enable the organization to better serve and support the one million people struggling with food insecurity and personal stability in West Central Florida as it has for 40 years. The new location will house the organization’s headquarters, primary distribution facility and serve as a hub of opportunity for those in need. Expanding from 80,000 square feet of rented space to a 217,000 square foot owned facility will increase capacity to provide 2X’s the amount of fresh produce and perishable goods reducing meal cost by 25%.
County Offices to Close for Staff Development/Appreciation Day
MEDIA RELEASE | Feb. 13, 2023
Media Relations & Communications
Pasco County
P 727.815.7177
8744 Government Drive, Bldg. A
New Port Richey, FL 34654
pio@mypasco.net
www.mypasco.net
Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BCC) offices will be closed Monday, February 20, 2023, for a Staff Development and Appreciation Day. County departments will spend the day performing development and appreciation activities focused on team building and improving services for our community.
All Pasco County Libraries will be closed Monday, February 20, 2023.
Pasco County Public Transportation (GoPasco) will be open, providing regular transportation services, Monday, February 20, 2023. Administrative offices will be closed to walk-in customers.
The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ Offices, Recreation Complexes and Community Centers will be closed Monday, February 20, 2023; however, parks and beaches will remain open to the public from dawn to dusk.
The Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed Monday, February 20, 2023. An Animal Control Officer will be available for emergencies only.
The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public Monday, February 20, 2023; however, they will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.
All government offices will resume regular hours Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Spay/Neuter Program Returns to Pasco Animal Services
~~Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return now offered at Land O’ Lakes Shelter~~
MEDIA RELEASE | Feb. 13, 2023
Media Relations & Communications
Pasco County
P 727.815.7177
8744 Government Drive, Bldg. A
New Port Richey, FL 34654
pio@mypasco.net
www.mypasco.net
Help keep community cats healthy and safe! Pasco County Animal Services (PCAS) is reintroducing our low-cost Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return (TNVR) program for feral and community cats.
“TNVR is widely accepted as the most effective, humane method of controlling the feral and community cat population,” says PCAS Director Mike Shumate. “As demand continues to grow, we’re proud to offer customers an additional option to help our community cats.”
WHAT: TNVR Program
WHEN: By appointment only* To schedule call 813.929.1212
WHERE:19640 Dogpatch Lane, Land O’ Lakes, FL
To be included in the program, cats must:
- Be captured in Pasco County
- Appear healthy/weigh at least 3 lbs.
- Arrive in a humane cat trap
- Be alone in the trap
The cost is $5 per cat (cash preferred) and includes rabies and FVRCP vaccines. Per veterinary guidelines, cats will have an ear tipped while under anesthesia so people can identify cats who’ve been through the program.
*PCAS has a limited number of appointments available at the shelter and will continue to rely on our veterinary partners throughout the county.
Pasco County Animal Services is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health, safety and welfare of animals and people. For more information, including a full list of programs and services, please visit our website at: MyPasco.net/PAS.
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