Pasco County commissioners are considering evening hearings and a third monthly meeting so working residents in unincorporated communities such as Land O' Lakes and Lutz can show up and be heard on zoning and development decisions.

The Board of County Commissioners spent about an hour Tuesday, Sept. 22, debating whether to overhaul its meeting schedule, first reported by the Tampa Bay Beacons. No vote was taken. Staff will return in December with a narrower set of options and cost estimates.

Commissioner Seth Weightman, the District 2 vice chairman, pushed for the review after attending a St. Leo Town Commission meeting in May on a contentious land-use matter. Roughly 200 people packed the room, with many forced to peer through windows from outside. Weightman then asked staff to examine whether Pasco's current schedule makes it unnecessarily difficult for working residents and families to participate.

Daytime meetings cost hourly workers wages

Board meetings now start at 10 a.m., with public hearings at 1:30 p.m., according to the county's meeting notice. The board meets twice a month, alternating between east and west Pasco. Weightman said residents paid by the hour may lose three or four hours of wages, or even an entire day's pay, just to speak to their elected officials.

"It shouldn't cost people money to have to come here and speak to us," Weightman said at the Sept. 22 meeting.

Staff studied schedules in six surrounding counties and brought back five options. They included a 9 a.m. start, evening hearings, a third monthly land-use meeting or a combination.

Commissioners split on evening hearings

Chairman Jack Mariano backed 6 p.m. hearings for major land-use cases, arguing that a full room gives commissioners more leverage when negotiating with developers.

Not everyone agreed.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey raised safety concerns about driving across Pasco after dark, particularly on State Road 52, and noted the county already offers virtual participation. Commissioner Ron Oakley preferred keeping the current setup, possibly with a 9:30 a.m. start.

Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, the county's clerk and comptroller, said evening meetings would require overtime that is not budgeted. Past night sessions sometimes ran until 1 or 2 a.m., she said.

Commissioner Lisa Yeager proposed a third meeting devoted to land-use issues at a centrally located county building. She suggested a pilot program of six months to a year.

Virtual option to get more promotion

Commissioners agreed to better publicize the virtual option already available. Residents can participate remotely by preregistering through a public comment form or calling 727-847-2411.

Staff is expected to return in December with refined options and overtime estimates.