Dade City balances frugality, infrastructure costs

DADE CITY — The Dade City Commission approved a number of resolutions Monday night to improve the infrastructure of public utilities and public safety while guarding against unnecessary spending.

The commission approved plans for the beginning stages of the Wastewater Facilities Plan for 2008-2028. The first phase of the plan will cost about $18-million and is aimed at improving the city's wastewater infrastructure.

Almost $10-million of the cost of phase one will be provided by grants from the USDA Rural Development Fund, leaving $8-million for the city to pay. The commission's approval does not authorize the project. Commission members will review and approve each phase individually.

The commission also approved fencing in the Howard Avenue retention pond and building a sidewalk on 17th Street from Church Street to Coleman Avenue. The projects will cost about $8,000 and $29,000 respectively.

Commissioner Steve Van Gorden asked for a time line on the sidewalk construction, because he said he was looking for tangible results. City Manager William Poe said construction of the sidewalk is estimated to be finished by March.

The commission held off on approving resurfacing for the Price Park tennis court. Commissioner Curtis Beebe said he was concerned about the cost of almost $20,000.

Money for the resurfacing has already been allocated from Penny for Pasco.

The commission approved the Pasco County Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement, which allows police departments in different cities to share resources as well as setting up a new grievance process for city employees.

In a move that City Attorney Karla Owens said will clean up the city's ordinances, the commission repealed codes regarding rate fees for taxis and wreckers and regulating exotic and captive wild animals. Both codes are pre-empted by the state.

Even with impending revenue shortfalls and a shaky national economic climate, Van Gorden said it was important to keep things in perspective.

"We are stewards of the taxpayers' money," Van Gorden said. "We don't want to overspend or be overanxious."