De-annexation bill for Lake Jovita headed to Tallahassee
By Times staff
Tampa Bay Times
Published: Feb 11, 2014

ST. LEO - Residents of Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club who want to de-annex from the town of St. Leo into unincorporated Pasco County are one step closer.

Town Attorney Patricia Petruff announced at a St. Leo commission meeting Monday that the Pasco legislative delegation has approving taking a local bill crafted by the town that would allow the de-annexation to the upcoming legislative session in Tallahassee next month. The bill is likely to be filed Rep. Amanda Murphy, D-New Port Richey, Petruff told the commission.

For years, residents of 85 homes in upscale gated Lake Jovita - where the other 350 units are in unincorporated Pasco County - have grumbled at having to pay taxes to the town in addition to the county.

The push for de-annexation failed to gain traction until the election last April of Lake Jovita residents Robert Inslee and James Wells to the commission.