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Incumbent Wants To Continue Projects

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By JULIA FERRANTE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 16, 2008

District 3 County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand faces two Republican challengers: electrician Matt Matey and home insurance activist Wil Nickerson, in her bid for a seventh term. The winner of the Aug. 26 primary will face one of two Democrats in the race.

Why Are You The Best Candidate?

During the past four years, Hildebrand counts among her accomplishments her work as a board member on Tampa Bay Water and the executive committee of the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority, known as TBARTA. The county commission also has undertaken a major revision of its comprehensive growth plan and worked to preserve land and improve infrastructure.

"I think my record as a county commissioner stands on what I've done. Since 1984, I have missed one board meeting, in 1991 because I had pneumonia," she said. "I take my job seriously. I believe in being really involved in the community. I know people consider this a part-time job, but I have never considered it a part-time job."

Hildebrand said she wants to follow through with projects she has been involved with, including creating a plan for a regional transportation network and developing alternative water sources. She also wants to bring more businesses to Pasco.

Environmental Protection

Voters in March 2004 approved an additional penny of sales tax to pay for new schools, transportation, public safety and environmental lands preservation. Hildebrand credits Penny for Pasco for allowing the commission to start a land-preservation program.

"If we didn't have the penny, where would we be because of our budget constraints?" she said.

Hildebrand continues to support efforts to buy the 12,500-acre Cross Bar Ranch from Pinellas County Utilities, which bought the property during the height of regional water wars as a wellfield.

Hildebrand also worked to preserve 600 acres in her district, off Trouble Creek Road and Strauber Memorial Highway, which is being converted to a public park.

"I'm really proud of the conservation efforts we've accomplished," she said.

Hildebrand has not taken a position on a proposed landfill in Dade City.

"They still need a permit from state Department of Environmental Protection and a permit from the county, which they don't have," she said.

Hildebrand does support expansion of a waste-to-energy incinerator at Hays Road.

Economic Development

Hildebrand said developing a regional transit plan is a priority. TBARTA's seven-county regional board formed to consider alternative forms of transportation.

"Hillsborough and Pinellas are where the major jobs are, but I see Pasco playing a major role," Hildebrand said. "About 42 percent of our residents leave Pasco to go to another job market. ... It's getting better, but we still have about 80,000 people leaving."

Construction Impact Fees

The Urban Land Institute evaluated Pasco County and told county officials they need to amend their land development regulations to clear up inconsistencies and make development regulation easier.

Some developers also have asked the county commission to reduce construction impact fees. Hildebrand is not sure she would support such a move.

"There's been pressure from builders to waive impact fees," she said. "We've implemented transportation impact fees recently, and we put together a committee. ... We need to streamline our process because obviously when a developer comes in, time is money. ... Impact fees are a way for growth to pay for itself."

Hildebrand did not support development plans for the Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel because of concerns about roads and transportation.

"While I've certainly approved development, I've certainly worked aggressively to keep property green," Hildebrand said. "At the end of the day, I think we still sell a pretty good quality of life."

Cost-Cutting

Pasco officials launched a cost-saving program, Lean Efficient Accountable Pasco, several months ago. Hiring is on hold; positions have been eliminated, and salaries have been frozen.

Hildebrand did not support a constitutional amendment that allows greater homestead exemptions for full-time residents because, she argued, services would suffer. County officials are considering a budget that maintains the current tax rate but gives officials less money to spend. The commission could consider raising taxes, but commissioners, including Hildebrand, have not been amenable to it. More cuts are expected.

"That's not going to be our drumbeat, but obviously you would have to consider it just to provide services," she said. "We can't be derelict to our responsibility of providing services. We have a fiduciary and moral responsibility."

AT A GLANCE

NAME: Ann Hildebrand

AGE: 70

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University

FAMILY: Married to Charles Jack; two grown children

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Retired social worker

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Seeking a seventh term as county commissioner; first elected in 1984

WEB SITE: None

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