Suspension of disconnecting city utility services extended
City commissioners agreed Monday evening to expand the suspension of disconnecting utility services. Originally, City Manger Bill McDaniel announced April 6 no City utility service would be disconnected for non-payment through April 16. Commissioners voted to extend that through May 31.
This does not eliminate the resident’s responsibility to pay for utility services, but the city is waiving late fees for residents with a past due balance on or prior to May 31, 2020. Late fees will resume starting June 1.
The city will also establish payment plans for those with accumulated past due balances. You can contact the city’s customer service team at customerservice@plantcitygov.com or (813) 659-4222 with any of your questions.
UFBPC seeking volunteers, donations
The City of Plant City announced April 10 it’s seeking volunteers for the United Food Bank of Plant City as part of its Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP).
As stated in the Plant City Observer’s March 26, 2020 article “United Food Bank weathering new storm,” UFBPC is seeing more than double the usual amount of traffic at this time due to increased demand created by the novel coronavirus. The food bank is “in dire need” of additional volunteers at this time to help with sorting and organizing produce, bakery and non-perishable food donations, sweeping, mopping, cleaning, stocking food pantry shelves, distributing food boxes to clients or preparing grocery bags for families in need.
Shifts are typically scheduled for the following days and times:
- Mondays 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Tuesdays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Thursdays 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Fridays 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The food bank is also looking to turn around its current food donation situation, which it has said is “critically low at this time.” Non-perishable canned foods, dry goods, peanut butter, granola bars, spaghetti sauce and more are requested.
For more information about volunteering or donating, visit ufbpc.org or facebook.com/UnitedFoodBankPC, call 813-764-0625 or email Gayle Tindle at gtindle@ufbpc.org.
Stolen pony found in Plant City after month-long search
Penny the pony is back home at Turkey Creek Stables now that the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit was able to find her.
Penny was reported missing on March 7 and HCSO deputies identified Joel Johnathan Lopez, 18, as a person of interest. They found Lopez on April 8 and he confessed to stealing Penny from the stables. Lopez was transported to Orient Road Jail and charged with grand theft (animal).
“This is one example of the diligent work our Agricultural Crimes Unit does to not only protect the people of Hillsborough County but also their animals,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “I am disgusted that someone would steal a horse for their own monetary gain. I again commend these hard-working deputies for their diligence to return this mare back to her home unharmed.”
Supervisor of Elections encourages remote operations
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections offices are closed through April 30 following Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order Number 20-91, but Craig Latimer wants the public to know they can still prepare for the upcoming 2020 elections remotely.
“We’ve got a terrific remote operation taking place right now,” Latimer said. “My staff, working primarily from home, has been processing voter registration applications and petitions, taking phone calls, answering emails, and holding virtual appointments and meetings to get all of our work done in a timely way.”
If you need to register to vote, confirm your voter information is up to date or request Vote By Mail ballots, you can do so online at VoteHillsborough.org, by calling 813-612-4180 or by emailing voter@hcsoe.org. If you wish to file or qualify to run for office, call 813-384-3944.