Holiday, Florida Development News
GatherGov Agents listens to meetings 24/7 delivering the latest real estate development updates, legislation, and news.
Development News from the latest meeting
Pasco County School Board Workshop- July 21, 2026
Published: Jul 21, 2026
Capital Projects Funded by Millage Increases, Impact Fees, and State Appropriations; Charter School Funding Mandate Noted
Projected capital revenue includes an anticipated increase of 5.3% in millage revenue, generating approximately $101.2 million. Impact fee collections are projected at $48.5 million, showing a decrease due to offsetting credits and declining building permits. Penny for Pasco collections are expected to increase to $51.9 million, the highest level since its inception. Penny 3 collections began in January 2025. The increase in millage revenue is partly attributed to new home construction, which also brings in more students. Sources of funds for capital projects include impact fees, millage, and a state appropriation of $5.5 million for Pasco High School Athletics. A significant impact on the capital budget is the mandate for charter schools to receive 100% of PICO (which was clarified to mean Capital Output Millions) in fiscal year 27, compared to 88% in FY27. A new fund, COPS 2026A, was created by refunding three previous COPS funds to save money. Capital costs are outpacing revenues, but current debt, including bus leases (three remaining until 2029), will be reduced. The expansion of charter schools is anticipated to continue. The capital budget summary shows projected carryover from the previous year and an estimated $225 million in revenue for the current fiscal year. Transfers are projected at $91 million, primarily for debt service. Construction projects, including new schools, remodels, and major renovations, account for the majority of the budget. Maintenance projects focus on replacements and preventive maintenance, including accordion door replacements for a better learning environment. Other capital projects include athletic renovations funded by Penny 3 and the purchase of 28 buses, primarily for replacement. Equipment and technology budgets include over $9 million for a one-to-one computer pilot program at specific schools. The district has no computer leases but has remaining bus lease payments. The 10-year capital plan summary and projected appropriations are available in booklets. The district acknowledges that unfunded needs exist in the out-years of the capital plan, requiring reprioritization based on funding sources and changing needs.
District Budget Update: Declining Enrollment, Rising Benefit Costs, and Staffing Adjustments Detailed
The presentation detailed the district's financial situation, including declining enrollment impacting FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) projections. While overall FTE including charter and FES shows an increase, the traditional district projects a decrease of 2,301 FTE. Two new charter schools are opening, Matter Academy and Northwood Elementary School and Middle School, expected to increase charter enrollment. FES is also projected to increase significantly. Employee benefit costs for the 2026 calendar year are $9,549 per employee, covering medical, life, and EAP. Plan design changes are being evaluated for 2026 and 2027 to improve financial stability and employee benefits. The Florida Retirement System (FRS) rate has decreased, resulting in a projected $2.9 million decrease in FRS expenses across all funds. FEFP (Florida Education Finance Program) funding saw an increase in the base student allocation ($85) and total funds per unweighted FTE ($257), but the district projects a net $2.1 million decrease in state funds due to declining enrollment. Restricted programs like safe schools, mental health, and academic acceleration require additional district funding. The proposed millage rate for general operations is 3.684, with a discretionary effort mill of 0.748 and a one-mill voted tax/referendum. The total millage levy is 6.84, which has decreased year-over-year. The owner of a $350,000 home would pay $2,009.80, a decrease of $29.25 from last year. The salary referendum, approved in 2022, is projected to generate $67.7 million and is crucial for eligible employees, potentially impacting teacher salaries by an average of 12% if not reapproved in 2026. Staffing allocations show an overall decrease of 476.12 positions, with a reduction of 235 in the general fund, largely due to declining enrollment. However, there is a significant increase in staffing for the ESC (Exceptional Student Education) population due to growing needs and numbers, despite revenue not fully covering costs. The district is also experiencing about a 15% growth in the health side of operations.
District Prepares for Tight Budget Year Amidst Declining Enrollment and Rising Costs
The board received a workshop presentation on the draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year, highlighting a tight budget year due to several factors. The presentation began with the general fund and then moved to capital plans. Key challenges include declining enrollment, minimal increases in state funding, rising employee benefit costs, and increased costs for materials and equipment. A positive note is the continuation of the salary referendum and voted additional millage for salary support. The total tentative budget shows a 0.9% decrease overall, mainly due to capital projects spend down and reduced debt service payments, while the general fund has a 2.3% increase attributed to charter schools and FES funding. The district's actual state funding is down $2.1 million. The budget aims to balance for all funds, with the general fund showing a slight increase. The fund balance for the new fiscal year 26-27 is balanced by utilizing $10.4 million in reserves, meeting the board's goal of 5% of expenditures. Projections indicate potential for improvement as year-end closeouts are finalized. The district is carefully monitoring expenditures and revenue sources to optimize the final budget.
District Approves Proactive Capital Plan Focusing on Facility Modernization and Capacity Management
The capital plan aims to be proactive and comprehensive, forecasting needs to maintain facilities, including HVAC systems. The goals are to build cost-effective facilities, ensure they meet student and staff needs, and balance priorities with available resources. The team collaborates with instructional departments to improve school designs and provide safe, secure environments. Needs are assessed based on facility age, condition, renovation history, and building systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC). Site assessments and capacity reviews are conducted, considering future growth. Professional consultants are enlisted as needed. Criteria for projects include serving student needs, ADA compliance, health and safety, enhancing educational technology, providing comparable facilities, addressing mandates, and using best design practices. Priorities include student learning, college and career readiness, CTE projects, reducing maintenance/operating costs, technology enhancements, and addressing facility needs or overcapacity issues. Recent milestones include the completion of the Kirkland Ranch K-8 gymnasium, Pasco High School's classroom wing and cafeteria, the conversion of Chasco K-8, and new schools at West Sever Hills Elementary and Skybrook K-8. Upcoming major projects include nearing completion of Cypress Elementary's renovation, continued work on Gulf Middle School, construction of Kirkland Ranch K-8 wing, Two Rivers K-8, and the new High School O. Athletics complex renovations are in process for Hudson High, Land of Lakes High, and Pasco High. School furniture refreshes are also ongoing. ADM projection maps show elementary schools mostly under capacity, with Odessa Elementary slightly over, and growth challenges on the east side near Wesley Chapel along I-75. New construction like Two Rivers K-8 and Kirkland Ranch K-8 wing will help address capacity. Middle school maps indicate most are under capacity, with Wesley Chapel, Wait Middle, and John Long Middle over capacity. High school maps show challenges in the 54-56 corridor, with Mitchell High, Sun Lake, and Land of Lakes over capacity, and Wesley Chapel High and Wiregrass Ranch High significantly over. High School O, opening in 2028, is expected to alleviate overcrowding at Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch High. The district has future school sites planned. A concern exists regarding declining birth rates potentially impacting future kindergarten enrollment and overall student numbers. The district is being strategic about building new wings versus entire schools and notes available space in central middle schools.
Get Weekly Development News of Holiday
Get it now for $25/year. Stay ahead of market moving news.
From $25/year
The Holiday News archive
Pasco County School Board Meeting- July 21, 2026
Pasco County School Board Meeting- June 16, 2026
Pasco County School Board Meeting Test - June 4, 2026
Pasco County School Board Meeting Test2 - June 4, 2026
Pasco County School Board Workshop- June 2, 2026
Pasco County School Board Meeting- June 2, 2026
Get it now for $25/year. Stay ahead of market moving news. Get your edge today.
GatherGov Market Intelligence
For Owners & Developers
See entitlement risk and deploy capital where there is the highest probability of return
For AEC
Win more projects by discovering opportunities before your competitors do.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday ,Florida Real Estate Development
Get Weekly Development News of Holiday, Florida | From $25/year