TAMPA - It's the last day of school and a thunderstorm brews nearby as 11-year-old Jessica Sabogal sums up why she likes the Jackson Springs Recreation Center. "It feels safe," said the soon-to-be sixth-grader, who participates in the center's free after-school program while under the watchful eye of Hillsborough County employees. But Jessica's parents may have to pay for that care this fall if Hillsborough County commissioners decide to levy a fee to help offset a shrinking county budget. ...more

June 10, 2008

Hillsborough County might have an $87 million budget deficit, but it won't make up the shortfall by reducing or eliminating a popular after-school and summer recreation program, commissioners pledged Thursday. ...more

June 6, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Pasco County officials and law enforcement leaders might still be far apart on how much cuts might become necessary in the next Sheriff's Office budget, according to several comments today. Both Commissioner Jack Mariano and a Sheriff's Office spokesman, Doug Tobin, hailed the spirit of cooperation between the two sides in the wake of Amendment 1 property tax reforms. ...more

June 5, 2008

Lean and mean. That's the direction Hernando County government must go if it hopes to survive challenging economic times, County Administrator David Hamilton said Tuesday. ...more

June 4, 2008

Hamilton releases budget goals. ...more

June 3, 2008

Friday morning, I was in contact with a member of the county legal department to receive clarification on several incorrect items that have been floating around in the public concerning their salaries and benefits. In an article written in the Hernando Today this week, the salaries of the county attorneys, along with their support staff, included benefits. The way the article was written it gave the reader the impression their benefits were in addition to the stated salaries when, in fact, they were already included in the total, per individual. ...more

June 3, 2008

In the wake of a fourth consecutive millage decrease, there was a palpable feeling of dread coming from the fire district. ...more

May 30, 2008

SPRING HILL FIRE HAS COLLECTED MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN REVENUE SO FAR THIS FISCAL YEAR ...more

May 29, 2008

Letter Was A Joke, Right? As a writer, I enjoy satire, especially when it is so well written that it takes me a while to recognize it. I've even been fortunate enough to get some of mine published on these pages. ...more

May 24, 2008