Pasco presents 10‑year capital plan: revenue rise, impact fees and penny collections offset rising construction costs

Pasco County School District staff presented the updated 10‑year capital plan at the board workshop, reviewing near‑term construction priorities, projected revenues and the impact of recent legislation on capital funding for charter schools.

Mr. Williams, who led the presentation, said the district maintains a rolling 10‑year plan and uses the first year as the foundation for the capital budget. Major projects for the coming year include a full remodel of Cypress Elementary, construction work at Gulf Middle School, a gymnasium at Kirkland Ranch K‑8 and a classroom wing and cafeteria expansion at Pasco High School. Williams said the district also plans furniture refreshes at several campuses and completion of previously started projects, including Skybrook K‑8 and West Zephyrhills Elementary construction.

On revenue, staff projected that the 1.5‑mill capital outlay millage will generate about $94.5 million and that impact‑fee collections are projected at $58 million; staff said single‑family impact fees average about $9,300 per house. Penny for Pasco collections are projected to exceed $50 million in this first year of the current surtax. Miss Taylor noted about $26 million remains from the previous “penny” fund (penny 2) and that the district intends to apply remaining balances to penny‑3 projects where appropriate.

Williams and fiscal staff flagged two revenue pressures. House Bill 1259 requires districts to provide a share of capital‑mill revenue to charter schools; staff estimate current annual charter allocations start around $600,000 and could rise toward $900,000 as charter enrollment grows. Staff also noted state law changes could require surtax proceeds approved after July 1, 2025, to be shared with charter schools; under staff interpretation the district’s current penny‑3 funds approved before that cutoff are not affected for 15 years, but future ballot measures could change the treatment.

Staff described a mix of funding sources for capital projects (impact fees, the capital millage, Penny for Pasco surtax, PECO/state appropriation, grants and bond proceeds) and said construction costs and outstanding debt obligations limit available project capacity. Miss Taylor said the district is shifting away from equipment leasing for computers back to pay‑as‑you‑go and will advertise to replace 25 buses this year. She emphasized that the 10‑year plan is a living document and that only year‑one projects are committed; years two through nine are subject to change by enrollment, collections and legislative developments.

No formal board vote took place; staff said first‑year items will be included in the tentative capital budget presented at upcoming meetings.