Welcome to the Citizens Academy CITIZENS ACADEMY Spring

Welcome to the Citizens’ Academy!

CITIZENS’ ACADEMY Spring 2017 – Session I

Purpose ØFamiliarize citizens with local government operations ØIncrease citizens’ understanding of local government duties and responsibilities. ØGoals: • Educate, inform, and share information about Pasco County • Develop a pool interested individuals to serve our community • Foster cooperative problem solving • Share valuable information with other citizens • Improve communication between the public and County government

What will I learn? ØFunctions of local ØConstitutional Officers government ØRelationship between local, state and federal governments ØRelationship between the County Commission, and the Constitutional Officers ØStrategic Plan ØFunctions of County Departments/Divisions ØServices provided by the County ØBudgetary process

General Information ØNo charge ØHands-on, interactive ØClass size: 28 participants ØFolders • Welcome Letter • Schedule • Florida Electorate Infographic • District Map • Strategic Plan • Organizational Chart • Bios • Acronym List • Strategic Plan Ø 12 sessions • 4: 00 – 6: 30 p. m. , unless otherwise noted ØWebsite ØTransportation • Every participant is responsible for their own ØAttendance • All sessions are important; 2 session limit ØIdentification • Background check for Constitutional Session

Questions

COUNTY GOVERNMENT OVERVIEW Michele L. Baker, MBA County Administrator

Council/Manager Form of Government County Commissioners County Administrator ØEstablish Policy and Law ØProvides Leadership ØHave legislative authority ØEnforces BCC policies ØAppoint/Confirm ØManages County’s Management ØMake Budget Decisions ØAppoint Committee Members Budget ØCEO of 2, 192 employees • Including full-time, part-time, temporary and relief personnel • 27 Departments • 44 Divisions

Local Government Overview ØCommissioners are elected Countywide but represent five separate districts within the County. • Mike Moore, Chairman, District 2 • Mike Wells, Vice-Chair, District 4 • Ron E. Oakley, District 1 • Kathryn Starkey, District 3 • Jack Mariano, District 5 ØCommissioners are elected for a four year term. • Every two years staggered elections • Districts 1, 3 & 5 and then Districts 2 & 4

Commission Districts

Citizens Advisory Boards & Committees Ø Animal Control Advisory Committee Ø Mobility Fee Update Advisory Committee Ø Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Board Ø Parks Advisory Board Ø Commission on Human Trafficking Ø Pasco County Construction Board (PCCB) Ø Development Review Committee Ø Pasco - Hernando Jobs and Education Ø Educational Facilities Board Partnership Ø Personnel Board Ø Planning Commission Ø Public Safety Coordinating Council Ø Quail Hollow Village (QHV) Advisory Board Ø RESTORE Act Advisory Committee Ø School Impact Fee Advisory Council Ø Solid Waste Management Citizens Advisory Committee Ø Suncoast Health Council Committee Ø Tourist Development Council Ø Value Adjustment Board Ø Villages of Pasadena Hills Stewardship District Advisory Planning and Policy Committee Ø Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board Ø Environmental Lands Acquisition Selection Committee Ø Food Policy Advisory Committee Ø Greenways, Trails and Blueways Advisory Committee Ø Health Facility & Permits Board Ø Housing Finance Authority, Pasco County Ø Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee Ø Law Library Board of Trustees Ø Library Advisory Board Ø Library Cooperative Advisory Board

Constitutional Officers ØAuthority and responsibility is dispersed to different organizations. This authority is given by Florida’s Constitution. • Sheriff, Chris Nocco • Clerk & Comptroller, Paula O’Neil, Ph. D. • Tax Collector, Mike Fasano • Property Appraiser, Gary Joiner • Supervisor of Elections, Brian E. Corley ØThese organizations are independent from the Board of County Commissioners and have their own Elected Executive.

COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Jeff Steinsnyder, Esq. County Attorney

State Restrictions on Local Authority The County is a Political Subdivision of the State of Florida as such the County derives its power from the State. The Florida Constitution, general and special legislation, and administrative rules and regulations to restrict local authority

Land Use and Annexation Laws ØThe county has broad powers to regulate the uses of private property in the interest of public safety, health and welfare. • However this is balanced by the Federal and State Constitution with regard to takings and general legislation such as the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Act. ØAnnexation allows a municipality to extend its boundaries into unincorporated areas.

Finance Laws and Fiscal Reporting ØThe Local government main source of revenue comes from its power to levy property tax granted to it by the Florida Constitution. ØThe state controls nearly every aspect of local finance management: • Assessment • Taxation • Indebtedness • Accounting, auditing and fiscal reporting ØState law prohibits certain types of local taxes and limits raising property tax rates or assessments beyond certain levels. Ø 2007 Maximum Millage Limitations law (Amendment 1)

Pasco County is a Non-Charter County. What does that mean? Ø Non-Charter Counties have “Home Rule” authority. This is the power of Self- Government as is provided by general or special law. Chapter 125, Fla. Stat. , provides broad general law authority. Ø Counties are political subdivisions of the State and their boundaries are found in general law. Ø Counties without Charters can be in two forms. Five member Board of County Commissioners or a seven member board. Pasco County is a five member board configuration. If a five member Board they can be single member districts or at large. If 7 member, 5 are single member, two are elected countywide. Ø Local charters tailor the desires of a particular locality. • How commissioners are elected • Their term length and limits • Salary of commissioners • Procedures for filling vacancies or removing managers • Powers appointed to the County Administrator • Residency requirement for local government employees

State Restrictions on Local Authority ØElections must be conducted in accordance with the state election codes. ØMeetings of local governments are held at intervals set by the local government and advertised pursuant to requirements of state law. • Pasco County BCC meetings are held every other Tuesday, interchangeably between Dade City and New Port Richey. ØMost meetings are required to be open to the public, depending on their authority and composition. ØLaw requires information held by municipal or county governments be released to the public upon a request from the public, unless a specific exemption is provided by the

Organizational Chart County Attorney West Pasco Government Center, Suite 340 8731 Citizens Drive New Port Richey, Florida 34654 New Port Richey (727) 847 -8120 Fax (N. P. R. ) (727) 847 -8021 Dade City (352) 521 -4120 Ext. 8120 E-mail mpeck@pascocountyfl. net

Responsibilities ØThe Office is responsible for defending all lawsuits filed against the County. ØWe do not do criminal law. ØThe County Attorney does prosecute County Ordinance violations. Citations issued by Code Compliance Officers, Animal Control Officers, and Sheriff’s deputies are prosecuted in “the same manner” as a misdemeanor before a County Court Judge. These are not considered criminal violations.

Other Functions ØOne function that is exclusive to local government is land use. ØThe Board adopts a Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code to plan for the future growth of Pasco County. ØLand Use hearings can often be contentious although significant effort is made to assure an orderly and fair proceeding before the Planning Commission, Development Review Committee and the Board of County Commissioners.

Other Functions (cont. ) ØA significant amount of attorney time is devoted to the drafting, researching and amending of Ordinances. Once an Ordinance is authorized for adoption or amendment by the Board, the County Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the responsible department, drafts and refines an ordinance for advertisement and public hearing before the Board. ØOrdinances which are not land use in nature are published in the Code of Ordinances for Pasco County.

HISTORIC OVERVIEW OF PASCO COUNTY Harold Sample

Any Questions?