Pasco's road wish list encounters reality of stimulus spending

DADE CITY — Pasco County's billion-dollar wish list of road projects for federal stimulus spending ran into a more frugal reality Tuesday:

The county might receive only $20 million, and that might not cover some of the higher priority projects.

Tighter federal requirements on what kinds of projects are eligible, coupled with the way Florida plans to divvy up its share of the money, have narrowed Pasco's possibilities, engineering services program administrator Deborah Bolduc told the County Commission.

The money would come from the massive bills for spending and tax cuts being mulled over in Congress. A final bill could be signed by President Obama this month.

In December, the County Commission endorsed a $1.4 billion list of Pasco projects that could take a shot at federal stimulus money. Road work made up most of the list.

But Florida Department of Transportation officials and regional planners are setting priorities based on Florida receiving about $1.5 billion for road projects statewide.

Of that, $100 million could go to the Tampa Bay area.

Pasco's slice would come from that money.

The limited pot of dollars isn't the only problem. The feds are also considering various restrictions on what kinds of projects would be eligible, Bolduc told commissioners.

For instance, the project may have to be a major road, in compliance with environmental regulations and with designs and permits in hand. The projects may have to start by July and be finished within three years.

Projects also are expected to meet federal requirements for union-based, higher wages, causing more grumbles from county officials. Budget director Mike Nurrenbrock suggested non-union companies would shy away from bidding, and costs could go up by a fifth.

"I think we can be doom and or gloom, or we can say, 'Something's coming in,' so..." Commissioner Pat Mulieri said.

"The good news is, they have a job," Commissioner Michael Cox said.

The $178 million Ridge Road extension, one of the county's top ranked projects, appears off the list. It still needs a federal permit and will cost much more than Pasco is likely to get.

But the top priority, widening U.S. 41 to four lanes between the Ridge Road extension point and Tower Bridge Road, is still in the mix — even with a $33.5 million cost.

If there's not enough money for a single project, the county could ask the state for help or substitute another project, chief assistant county administrator Michele Baker said.

And the portion of the county list for $282 million in new utility, judicial and elections buildings, water lines and meter reading equipment isn't affected yet. The early plans are for transportation projects only.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization, a board of city and county officials who make regional transportation decisions, will meet Thursday to review plans. Florida transportation officials plan to discuss options Friday in a conference.

But until federal lawmakers and Obama reach accord on a stimulus program, Baker said, there's one answer to the county's question over its options and chances for funding:

"You don't know," Baker said.

David DeCamp can be reached at ddecamp@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6232.