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Pasco Sheriff Won't Use All His Allocated Funding

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Pasco Sheriff Bob White announced today he will use only a portion of the Penny for Pasco allocation slated for his agency next fiscal year and will hand over about $1.86 million to the county.

White wrote a letter to Pasco County Commission chairman Jack Mariano stating he intends to use only about $600,000 to purchase replacements for 30 patrol vehicles and one agricultural unit truck.

About $2.5 million in Penny for Pasco funds is anticipated to come into the sheriff's office for that fiscal year.

Penny for Pasco funds don't directly offset the property tax money that funds the majority of the sheriff's office budget, but White said he is confident commissioners can use the $1.86 million to indirectly offset projected shortfalls in the upcoming budget.

It wasn't immediately known if the county could spend the funds, because there are many rules for the Penny for Pasco tax and allocating the money.

White has said he continues to look at ways to save money during the down economy.

"I am particularly proud of our agency personnel and their hard work in finding ways our office can tighten its belt," he said in a prepared statement. "Cooperation countywide will be pivotal as we move toward tackling the looming deficits in county funding. This office will continue to find ways to cut costs while maintaining public safety services."

Recently, White made numerous changes to the agency organizational chart, abolishing some specialized units and moving 30 deputies to road patrol.

Four years ago, Pasco voters approved the Penny for Pasco tax as a way to provide additional funding for Pasco schools, sheriff's office vehicles, fire fighting equipment and other county needs.

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