TOWN UPDATES 05/20/22

TOWN UPDATES

       05/20/22

Reorganization of the Town Commission

A new Mayor was chosen at the Town of St. Leo’s annual May reorganization meeting. St. Leo Commissioners selected Vincent D’Ambrosio to lead the Town. Vincent “Mike” D’Ambrosio is married to Heidi. They have three children: son Vincent “Dakota”, daughter Ryleigh Buchanan, and son Luke. Mike is the Director of Saint Leo University Safety and Emergency Management, he is also the Assistant Pastor at The Rock Church in Brooksville, Florida. Mike is a native of Citrus County. He has been employed at the University since 2008, and has been a resident of the Town for three years. He was appointed as a Town Commissioner in June of 2020.

Commissioners also chose to retain James Hallett, O.S.B. as Mayor Pro Tem. Brother James became a Town Commissioner in April of 2000. He is originally from Newton Falls, Ohio, where he lived with his family before joining the Army. He served three years, one of which was in Korea. After the Army, Hallett earned a BA in Business from Kent State University, followed by an MBA in Accounting from YSU University.  Hallett moved to Saint Leo Abbey in 1988. He is active in monastery life and is the Saint Leo Abbey Gift Shop Manager.

Monday night’s meeting also marked the return of William Hamilton. Hamilton was elected to fill Commission Seat Five in April. He previously served on the Commission for eight years, including three as Mayor. Commissioner Hamilton is from St. Leo and is continuing a family history of service. His father was Commissioner and Mayor in the 1980s. Hamilton is married to Barbara; they have four children.

Penny For Pasco

Penny for Pasco revenues are used to enhance quality of life through the completion of capital projects and purchases by Pasco County, Pasco County Schools and the six municipalities within Pasco County. Funds are collected at a rate of one cent for each dollar per sale (sale amount up to $5,000). Proceeds provide designated funds for transportation infrastructure, drainage and water quality infrastructure, public safety vehicles, facility and land infrastructure, and capital expenses.

The Town has used funds for vehicles, numerous Town Hall repairs and improvements (including Hurricane Irma repairs, a new roof, Town Hall drainage and septic improvements to prevent flooding reoccurrence, and audiovisual equipment for the Commission Room), road improvements, etc.

Pasco County voters passed the first Penny for Pasco Local Government Infrastructure Surtax on March 9, 2004.  It was in effect from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2014, and collected over $320,000,000.  In 2012, voters approved the continuation for another ten years.  Seventy percent of Pasco County voters supported the renewal!  Between January 2015 and December 2024 proceeds are estimated to be greater than $700,000,000. The Penny for Pasco initiative will return to the ballot in November of this year for renewal through 2039.

Property Acquisition

The Town purchased 1.61 acres of property (shown at left). On Q Smokehouse and A Cup of Organic Coffee Shop will currently be remaining as tenants. Future plans are to be determined. The purchase was discussed at several Town meetings. One of the ideas for the property is to create a Town Center community destination; another is to use the blue building as an art gallery and history center. Penny for Pasco funds were used for the purchase.

Spring Plant Profile

I’ve noticed many more areas this year where Water Hemlock is growing. Water Hemlock is an extremely toxic Florida native plant. It grows throughout Florida and flowers in the spring and summer. It thrives in wet areas like roadside ditches and stormwater ponds. The entire plant is harmful and can be deadly for humans and animals. Flowers resemble the northern plant Queen Ann’s Lace, and also common carrot blossoms. Elderberry bushes have similar flowers but the elderberry plants are typically much larger. Water Hemlock attracts many species of bees, wasps and butterflies; it is a larval host plant for the Black swallowtail.

- Andrea

NEXT COMMISSION MEETING:

7:00 PM 06/13/22