Zephyrhills Utilities Increased by 3%
By JOE POTTER
Effective Nov. 1, a 3% increase in the rates became effective for potable water, wastewater (sewer), and reclaimed water available to Zephyrhills’ utility customers.
This happened following the second reading and adoption of an ordinance during the Oct. 27 meeting of the Zephyrhills City Council. No one commented during a public hearing that was held before the adoption of the ordinance.
The City’s Finance Director, Ted Beason, told Council members that customers who used 4,100 gallons of water covered by the ordinance would only have an increase of $2.05 a month. Council members agreed that it was better to make the 3% increase rather than waiting and adopting a 10-12% rate increase at a future date.
In other business on Oct. 27, City Manager Billy Poe Jr. told Council members he had talked to State Rep. Randy Maggard and State Sen. Danny Burgess regarding the city possibly receiving an appropriation of $6,000,000 during 2026 to help fund the construction of a new 6,500-square-foot Fixed-Base Operator Terminal at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.
Both of them said that they would introduce a bill seeking that appropriation for the City during the 2026 Legislative Session, which would convene on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, March 13, according to Poe. The original plan had been to possibly construct a new, 8,000-square-foot FBO Terminal, but the size was pared down to 6,500 square feet, Poe said.
Council members approved purchasing eight new Criminal Investigative Services (CIS) motor vehicles and the conversion of two existing vehicles for the Zephyrhills Police Department. The new vehicles will be used to replace aging fleet vehicles with high mileage or frequent maintenance needs. Four of the vehicles will be for use by detectives and will cost a combined total of $228,389.16.
Two of the vehicles will be SRT units that will be used for patrol purposes with a combined total cost of $119,327.34. One of the vehicles will be a CRT unit that will be used for other purposes for $60,475.15. One of the vehicles will be a K-9 unit that will cost $64,373.98. Also, two existing 2022 Ford F-150 vehicles will be converted.
Penny for Pasco special revenue funds will be used to purchase/convert the specified vehicles at a total cost of $520,712.27, including radio equipment, striping, lights, and accessories, according to agenda documents about this matter.
Council members approved the purchase of Public Works Vehicles and Equipment. Approved was the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab Pickup with 4-Wheel drive, a 2025 Ford F-250 ¾ Ton Regular Cab Pickup with 4-Wheel drive, and a 2025 Super Duty Ford F-250 ¾ Ton Regular Cab Pickup with 4-Wheel drive, with a combined cost of $172,059.
Other things to be purchased for Public Works include a Caterpillar 920 Wheel Loader, a Tier 4F Street Sweeper, and a John Deere Tractor with a combined cost of $667,885.00.
Finally, Council members approved paying Kenko Sign and Awning LLC $495,000, including a 10% contingency for the production of city park and entrance signage. The proposal is to manufacture and install entrance signs at the following city locations: Ellis Harrold, Depot Park, Veterans', Shepard, Krusen, Transplant, 5th Ave, and Gunner Paw. The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will fund signage within the CRA District for $150,000, included in their CRA fiscal year 2025/2026 approved budget, with the remaining $345,000 funded from the City’s Parks Department.
In other news, The Zephyrhills Youth Council has a project they're taking on to raise $4,000 to help homeless people through the Community Hope and Intervention Project of Zephyrhills (CHIPZ). Also, there were some conversations about how successful the Halloween Howl event was that was held last week; and about the plans to remodel the Historic Home Theater on Fifth Avenue. Main Street Zephyrhills was involved with Halloween Howl and is involved with the Historic Home Theater project.
