Jul. 29--NEW PORT RICHEY -- The Pasco County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday adopted a strategic plan to help leaders guide growth.

Commissioners had discussed the plan during previous meetings and spent only a few minutes on the document before unanimously approving it. Past discussions focused on diversifying the job and tax bases and protecting the environment.

Michele Baker, chief assistant county administrator, characterized the plan as a document that establishes priorities, such as job growth and transportation, while a future plan will determine how to make those goals a reality.

One aspect of the plan is to focus growth in urban service areas, or regions with existing roads, utilities and infrastructure. Developers on Tuesday asked for greater public review and discussion about urban service areas, which could restrict development in rural areas.

Also on the strategic plan list:

-- Doubling the amount of industrial land countywide to 800 acres by 2015.

-- Creating 1,100 high-wage jobs a year for a total of 5,000 by 2015.

-- Creating 15,000 office or manufacturing jobs by 2015.

-- Preserving 250 acres of environmental lands each year.

This month's announcement that T. Rowe Price will bring more than 1,600 jobs to Land O' Lakes was a step in the direction commissioners hope to move the county. The county's proposed 2009-10 budget includes $2 million to recruit employers.

Earlier Tuesday, commissioners heard a presentation from Robert Clifford of Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, who talked about short- and long-range plans to improve roadways and public transportation in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, among others in the Bay area.

He spoke specifically of the need to improve state roads 54 and 56 from New Port Richey to Zephyrhills.

"Yes, we're talking about transportation, but we're really talking about how important transportation is to the economy," Clifford said. "We need better transportation systems."

TBARTA, he said, is going "to build stuff."

Also Tuesday, the commissioners:

-- Recognized the city of New Port Richey for its designation as a "Playful City USA Community" by the National KaBOOM National Campaign for Play Program.

-- Thanked Progress Energy for its economic development efforts in Pasco.

-- Designated the week of Aug. 1 through Aug. 7 as National Clown Week. Two clowns affiliated with Clown Krewe Alley No. 400 were recognized for their community involvement.

-- Thanked Dorothy Bradford, who is retiring after 21 years with the Pasco County Library System.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski contributed to this report. Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 731-1239.

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