Russ and Lee Heffelfinger Honored
By JOE POTTER
Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson read a proclamation during the Sept. 8th meeting of the Zephyrhills City Council honoring Russ and Lee Heffelfinger for contributions they had made to the city since moving there on April 12, 1968.
Russ, who recently celebrated his 92nd birthday, was recognized for being the first person to ever serve two terms as President of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce in 1972 and 1973. He was the first individual to hold consecutive terms, the proclamation states.
He played a foundational role in establishing Kiwanis Club Lodge #72, serving as Vice President and subsequently as its third President in 1974, and both he and his wife, Lee Heffelfinger, 90, were instrumental in the formation of the Elks Lodge #2731, proudly becoming its second Exalted Leader.
The Heffelfingers were recognized for contributing to the economic vitality of Zephyrhills through their entrepreneurial endeavors, including Russ’ bookkeeping and tax business and their collaborative work in the travel industry booking excursions for seniors.
Also, Russ honorably served in the United States Army beginning in 1952, stationed in Saifelden, Austria, where his wife joined him. Together, they raised four children, exemplifying a lifelong commitment to family and service.
They have actively participated in the transformation of Zephyrhills, from pastoral landscapes to thriving neighborhoods, and have remained steadfast contributors to the city’s growth and communal spirit. “Their enduring contributions shall serve as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come,” the Proclamation said.
Another Proclamation read by Mayor Monson designated the week of Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week and recognized the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) for their commitment to encourage the study of the United States Constitution and to educate the public about the famous document which was adopted by the American Congress of the Confederation on Sept. 17, 1787.
“The two hundred forty-ninth anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution provides a historic opportunity for all Americans to learn about and recall the achievements of our Founders, and to reflect on the rights and privileges of citizenship,” the Proclamation said.
The NSDAR petitioned Congress in 1955 to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated to the observance of Constitution Week. That resolution was adopted by Congress and signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Aug. 2, 1956. President George W. Bush officially declared the inception of Constitution Week in 2002.
In other business on Sept. 8th, the City Council:
Held a public hearing on and then adopted on its first reading an ordinance to set the preliminary millage rate at 6.25 mills for fiscal year 2025-2026, which begins on Oct. 1st. No one spoke during the public hearing. “The preliminary rate can be decreased before final adoption, but cannot be increased,” an agenda memorandum for the proposed ordinance said.
Each mill represents $1 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value.
This millage rate will not be effective until after a second public hearing is held and a vote is taken on it on Sept. 22nd. If it’s adopted it will be the same millage rate that is in effect for fiscal year 2024-2025, which ends on Sept. 30th.
Held a public hearing on and then adopted on its first reading an ordinance to set the City’s tentative budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 at $135,911,380. This budget will not be effective until after a second public hearing is held and a vote is taken on it on Sept. 22nd.
The City’s Budget for FY 2024-2025 was $105,266,502.
Funding needed for two Capital Outlay projects during FY 2025-2026 are part of the reason that this year’s budget will be $30,655,878 higher than last year’s budget.
Those projects are: $27,926,314 for Building Improvements for the City Yard Complex, and $16,000,000 for Infrastructure in Zephyr Park.
