Pasco County begins FY2026 budget cycle, board weighs public-safety staffing and tax options

Pasco County budget staff opened the fiscal year 2026 planning conversation Jan. 28, outlining a calendar of public workshops and warning of rising costs tied to population growth and storm recovery.

Budget Director Amy Farrell told the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners the county—s population has grown about 36% over the last 14 years, single-family permits have risen sharply, and calls for public safety were up 117% in recent years; the board will take revenue projections in February and refine the recommended budget through April and June before final adoption in September.

The presentation framed fiscal choices around three strategic pillars: (1) create a thriving community, (2) enhance quality of life, and (3) drive economic growth and prosperity. Farrell outlined budget pressures for FY26 including staffing all four shifts at every fire station, costs associated with the jail expansion, annual retirement and Medicaid rate changes, and utility rate planning tied to a multi-year study. She said the county—s operating budget has grown roughly 30% while population and service demand climbed faster.

Commissioners pressed staff on specific issues during the discussion. Commissioner Waitman said the board must be deliberate about homelessness spending and urged options that would allow the county to compel repeat transient offenders to leave or be returned to relatives out of county. Commissioner Mariano urged leveraging federal and state recovery dollars and lobbying partners to maximize grant and appropriation opportunities. Commissioner Oakley and others raised septic-to-sewer conversions and coastal resilience as potential uses for incoming federal funds tied to storm recovery.

Board members also debated revenue tools. Farrell summarized existing and possible tax vehicles including the roads MSTU, a parks maintenance tax, and other MS TUs; she noted the board had set the parks-maintenance MSTU at zero mills earlier. Several commissioners encouraged staff to model full funding scenarios and to show the likely delta if cities do not participate in countywide MS TUs. Commissioner Starkey emphasized the roads MSTU—s initial success and execution of projects and asked staff for continued quarterly reporting.

Separately, judicial and court officials attended to press the need for a centrally sited criminal courthouse to relieve capacity and security strains. Chief Judge Sean Crane, State Attorney Bruce Bartlett and Public Defender Sarah Malo described growing caseloads and the inefficiency and safety risks of transporting inmates across the county; they asked the board to examine funding paths, including bonds and appropriations, and noted existing county studies that recommended a central criminal courthouse.

The board directed staff to return with refined revenue projections, analysis of MS TU and impact-fee options (including a public-safety impact fee), and additional details on storm-related exemptions and their tax-base effects at the February workshop.