by Joe Potter
Zephyrhills City Manager “Billy” Poe Jr. received an average score of 3.4 out of 4 in evaluations submitted by City Council members during their August 10 meeting.
Poe has served as Zephyrhills’ city manager for a little more than seven years. Before joining the city in that role, he served as Zephyrhills’ assistant city manager from February 2019 to June 2019. Before that, he was the City Manager of Dade City for 11 years, from March 2008 to February 2019.
Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson praised Poe’s performance in his administrative position. “We appreciate him and the work that he’s doing. We have a great relationship with him, and he’s doing a good job for us,” Monson said.
Steven Spina, Ph.D., was among the council members who took part in Poe’s annual evaluation. Spina brings extensive knowledge to the process, having served as Zephyrhills’ city manager for 20 years. Before that, he served as the city’s development director for nine years.
During other business at the Aug. 10 meeting, Council members approved three proposed ordinances on their first reading following public hearings.
The first ordinance would amend the City’s Land Development Code, including changes to procedures for obtaining development permits. It would also affect subdivision reviews and the process for obtaining final record plats. These updates are required by state legislation.
The second proposed ordinance would set changes related to the City’s reclaimed water, sewer, and potable water rates and charges, with a planned 3% increase effective upon adoption.
The third ordinance would impact the rates and charges established for Zephyrhills’ Sanitation Division within the City’s Public Works Department. Second readings and additional public hearings on the three proposed ordinances are required to be held at Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.
Council members also heard a brief presentation from representatives of the Pasco County School District regarding the four schools in Zephyrhills: West Zephyrhills Elementary School, Woodland Elementary School, R.B. Stewart Middle School, and Zephyrhills High School. Representatives stated that all four schools are rated at a “C” level by the State’s education department.
Finally, Spina was appointed as the council’s liaison to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. ♥
