Pasco County utilities and public-works officials outlined plans to convert the Sea Pines neighborhoodrom septic systems to central sewer and to complete complementary stormwater work to reduce flooding and nutrient loading.

Why it matters: Staff said the project would remove aging septic systems near coastal waters, lower nutrient discharge into groundwater and the Gulf and be coordinated with road and stormwater projects to avoid re-digging trenches.

Joseph Amoa, utilities director, told representatives and commissioners that the Sea Pines conversion would remove about 229 parcels from septic systems, reduce nutrient loading by "over a thousand pounds per year" and connect the area to the countyentral sewer system. Amoa said the total project cost is about $9,000,000 and the county is asking the delegation for $6,500,000; homeowners would be responsible for an estimated $2,500,000 in on-site connection and plumbing costs. "We're bringing this forward at this time because there's stormwater capital improvement project for the Sea Pines area," he said, and noted the county wants to sequence construction with stormwater work to avoid redigging roads.

Jason Mickle, public works director, summarized the county's newly adopted stormwater master plan, which he said lists 142 projects with a total need of about $2.8 billion and 15 top-priority projects that total roughly $88 million. Mickle said the county currently budgets about $4
nd $5 million annually for stormwater capital work, creating a long backlog. He described Sea Pines as a dense, pre-permitting neighborhood with recurring flood issues.

Asked about homeowner costs and alternatives, officials said homeowners would pay connection costs at the time of hookup but emphasized that buying properties out was often infeasible because many owners value waterfront lots; officials also discussed special assessment mechanisms and MSTU options but noted legal and public-notice steps would be required.

Ending: Utilities and public-works staff said they will continue design work and coordination with stormwater projects and return to the board with funding strategies; commissioners indicated support but asked staff to return with more detailed cost breakdowns and potential financing tools for affected homeowners.