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Tampa Bay Water may pick up full tab for counties' Florida Friendly Landscaping program

 
Published Aug. 13, 2013

Last month, the Southwest Florida Water Management District abruptly cut off funding for the Florida Friendly Landscaping program, leaving 16 counties scrambling for a quick replacement. Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties may have found it. Tampa Bay Water's board will vote Monday on picking up the $161,000 tab for continuing the program in those counties. The regional utility and its predecessor, the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority, have been providing some funding for the water conservation program since 1995. If the utility's board approves, it would give Pinellas County an additional $56,000, on top of the standard $72,250; Pasco would get $60,000 in addition to its expected $74,250; and Hillsborough would get $45,000 on top of its $76,500. The board meets at 9 a.m. at its headquarters at 2575 Enterprise Road, Clearwater.