Speaking of convenience, Walmart is expanding a partnership to provide convenient healthcare options inside their stores, and the Wesley Chapel is next on the list. Last month, the Walmart at 28500 S.R. 54 took out permits and then quickly installed the new sign for “Conviva Senior Primary Care,” located in the clinical office space formerly occupied by Walmart Health.
The clinics are part of Humana’s Primary Care Organization (PCO), which includes Conviva and CenterWell Senior Primary Care.
Last year, in a press release from Humana, Walmart’s executive vice president of health & wellness Brian Setzer said, “We are looking forward to welcoming CenterWell [and Conviva] into these purpose-built health care spaces to offer quality care to communities in four states.”
He added, “Leasing these spaces to a well-known and successful healthcare delivery organization is a win for [our] customers and patients, as we continue to focus on our core health & wellness business of Pharmacy and Optical.”
Conviva’s website states that the company has locations in Texas and Florida, and we found that there are already more than a dozen existing care centers dotted around the greater Tampa area, a couple of which are located inside Walmarts, like the ones at 1575 Land O’Lakes Blvd. in Lutz and at 7631 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills.
According to ConvivaCareCenters.com, “At Conviva Senior Primary Care, you’ll get 50% more one-on-one time with our primary care physicians who respect your schedule. Take the time to ask all of your questions and feel confident about your care.”
Conviva will have its own exterior entrance, located east of the doors for Wesley Chapel Walmart’s ‘Home & Pharmacy’ section. There will be dedicated and marked parking spaces for patients, as well as another interior entrance to the clinic next to the vision center.
Meghan Kile, an insurance broker/agent with a desk set up just inside the front of the Walmart in the mornings (under a bright blue banner with the Walmart logo and the names of multiple insurance providers), stated that she thinks Conviva is hoping to be open by April or May, but she had heard no exact date as of yet. Meghan believes this Conviva location is still in the process of hiring its staff.
The sign out front of Conviva’s exterior entrance says “Accepting New Patients” and the phone number listed — (813) 815-8391 — goes straight to a voicemail for an “Immacula Nezier, APRN.” Unfortunately, we were not able to get in touch with Nezier for more exact details.
Local Business Community Begins Investigating The Possibility Of Incorporation; Feasibility & Boundaries Will Be Determined By Studies
The last time we posted a map of Wesley Chapel on our front cover, back in Oct. of 2023, it was pretty obvious that a lot of people didn’t know what the boundaries of the fastest-growing community in the state of Florida actually were.
And, even though a small group of local business leaders is now talking about incorporating Wesley Chapel as its own municipality again, where to draw the boundaries of the proposed new city is still a work in progress.
What is clear, however, at least according to Jamie Hess (at right in photo), the owner of the Computer Emergency Room locations on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel and on County Line Rd. in Lutz, is that the time for Wesley Chapel to become a city is now.
“We already have almost everything we need here, other than maybe a true city center and a post office,” Hess told me during an exclusive interview at the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) office, along with NTBC president and chief executive officer Hope Kennedy (left in photo). Hess has been an NTBC Board member for several years and he and his fellow Board members gave Kennedy the O.K. to at least look into what an incorporated Wesley Chapel would look like, and what areas it would include. For right now, the group is using the zip codes currently called “Wesley Chapel” — 33543, 33544 and 33545 — as the boundaries, but Hess and Kennedy acknowledge that “fixing” those boundaries is a long way off.
With her Board’s directive in place, Kennedy already has a proposal from a company in Texas to conduct two studies that she says would both have to have favorable results before the subject of incorporation can gather any real momentum.
How It All Began
But speaking of momentum, Hess said that the catalyst for the NTBC Board to begin seriously considering the possibility began with a seemingly innocent comment made at an NTBC Coffee event in Oct. of 2024, where District 20 State Senator Danny Burgess, himself at one time the youngest-ever Mayor of Zephyrhills, said that the one goal he had before he retired from government service was, “For Wesley Chapel to become its own city.”
That got the wheels turning for Hess, who was sitting in the front row (with yours truly) that day. “I kept asking myself, ‘Why not? Why can’t we?,’” Hess told me. “Wesley Chapel is basically a cash machine for Pasco County, so it would be great for us to keep our tax dollars right here.” Kennedy added, “Right after that meeting, our Board came together and said to me, ‘Make it happen.’”
The Op-Ed Piece
Right before sitting down with me, the following Op-Ed piece by Hess appeared in the Tampa Bay Business Journal on March 7:
The Time is Now: Why Wesley Chapel Must Take Control Of Its Future
Wesley Chapel is no longer just a suburb — it’s a thriving economic powerhouse. Yet, despite our rapid growth, we remain unincorporated, with no direct control over how our tax dollars are spent. We generate millions in revenue, yet much of it is allocated to projects outside our community. It’s time to consider incorporation to ensure our tax dollars are reinvested where they belong — right here in Wesley Chapel.
Once a rural town, Wesley Chapel has evolved into one of Florida’s fastest-growing areas. We have top-tier healthcare, strong schools, and a booming business community, yet we lack a local government to advocate for our needs.
Currently, all decisions affecting our growth — zoning, infrastructure, business regulations — are made at the county level. Incorporation would allow us to shape policies that align with our community’s unique needs and priorities. Incorporation would allow us to establish a true city center — a place where businesses thrive, government services are easily accessible, and residents can engage with their local leaders. A true city center would create a hub for commerce, government services, and civic engagement. A dedicated city hall would bring the government closer to the people, offering a place for public meetings, business licensing, municipal planning, and other vital functions. A local post office would provide more convenient service, rather than relying on locations serving multiple communities. Wesley Chapel is large enough to sustain these services, it’s time we took ownership of them.
For businesses, incorporation means stability and efficiency. Permitting, zoning, and economic incentives would be handled locally, reducing delays and creating a business-friendly environment. With direct control over tax revenue, we could fund infrastructure improvements, support local businesses, and attract new industries. Instead of waiting for county-wide initiatives, we could take immediate action to enhance our economic future.
Traffic congestion on S.R. 54 and I-75 is a growing issue, yet local infrastructure projects often take a backseat to county-wide priorities. As an incorporated city, we could direct funding toward much-needed road improvements and explore expanded transit options. Public safety is another pressing concern. Wesley Chapel relies on county services spread thin across a vast area. Incorporation would allow us to create a dedicated police and fire department, ensuring faster response times and better community-focused safety measures.
Before moving forward, we need a comprehensive economic impact study to assess the feasibility of incorporation. This study will provide critical data on how incorporation would affect residents, businesses, and public services. With clear financial insights, we can make informed decisions about our community’s future.
Wesley Chapel has outgrown its unincorporated status. Our businesses and residents deserve a government that prioritizes local needs, reinvests tax dollars into our own infrastructure, and fosters economic growth. The time has come to take control of our destiny and build a Wesley Chapel that works for us.
The future is ours—let’s take the next step. — Reprinted from the Tampa Bay Business Journal
The Game Plan
Hess and Kennedy assured me that the process currently being undertaken has been a “very thoughtful one,” according to Kennedy. “It’s going to be very much data-driven.”
“We’re starting by raising money for an economic impact study,” Hess added. “That’s the first step.”
At our press time, the NTBC Board had not yet ratified the decision to officially retain a neutral third party — Austin, TX-based Angelou Economics — to conduct the economic impact study, at a cost of $75,000. But, Hess was confident that the Board would approve Kennedy’s recommendation at the Board meeting on Mar. 11.
“My initial conversation with [Angelou] was so extraordinary,” Kennedy said. “They said, ‘This situation (the possibility of incorporating Wesley Chapel) is incredible.”
If and when that economic impact study comes back with a positive result, as Hess and Kennedy expect, another $75,000 would be needed to fund a second study — an actual incorporation feasibility study — that also would be conducted by Angelou.
“Right now, we only need $75,000,” Hess said. “If the economic impact study doesn’t come back favorable, we’re probably not going to need that other $75,000. There would be no need to raise money for a feasibility study. But, we’re confident that both studies are going to end up giving us the green light to move forward.”
Kennedy added, “We’re actually planning to try to raise a total of $200,000, because we estimate that we’re also going to need about $50,000 for community engagement and marketing. But, we believe that doing it incrementally is a good idea. Angelou isn’t going to require us to pay for the second study until the first one comes back positive. This way, we won’t be on the hook for the whole $200,000. Yes, we are currently raising capital, but we haven’t made an official ‘ask’ yet and we’re not ready to announce any major donors at this time.”
Hess added, however, “That a lot of people have already told us they want to help, but until enough people actually write a check, we’ll still be in fund-raising mode.” He noted that even small amounts contributing to the fund-raising campaign, as a couple of local business owners have offered, “will definitely be accepted.”
Hess and Kennedy said they are thankful to former Florida House Speaker (and Wesley Chapel resident) Will Weatherford, who got legislation passed before he left the house in 2014 that said a community wanting to incorporate did not need to get permission from the county in which it is located. “It will be a referendum for those impacted,” Kennedy said, “and we believe that 50% + 1 vote of the registered voters who show up to the polls for the referendum from the area proposing incorporation will have to vote in favor of it for it to pass.”
Kennedy also acknowledged that this is not the first time incorporating Wesley Chapel has been considered. “But, the last time, around 2016 or so, a group of Wesley Chapel residents came to the Chamber and said, ‘We want to incorporate,’ which gave us quite a lift, but it fell apart for two main reasons — arguing over what the boundaries should be and the lack of involvement from the business community.”
Of course, there are dozens more large-scale businesses located within what could become the City of Wesley Chapel now than there were ten (or even five) years ago, and. Kennedy said, “Because we’re starting with the business community and the studies, we feel confident there will be more momentum for it this time around.”
She also noted, however, that the Chamber has its own 501(c)(3) foundation that the funds for the studies could flow through, “because it’s in our Foundation bylaws that we can use Foundation funds for ‘Studies of Community Impact.’ So, any donations to this cause would be tax deductible because you’d be funding a study.”
Igniting The Spark
“Senator Danny Burgess (photo left, with Kennedy) essentially lit this idea on fire,” Kennedy said of the Oct. 2024 Chamber Coffee event. “Our Board came back to me after that meeting and said, ‘Go ahead. Make it happen.’ And, I’ve been working on this ever since.”
One of the first things Kennedy and Hess had to look into was law enforcement.
“We approached (Pasco) Sheriff Chris Nocco’s office about establishing a police presence in Wesley Chapel,” Kennedy said. “They have told us that, ‘[PCSO’s] official position is that we will support whatever the citizens of Wesley Chapel decide for their future.”
That could mean hiring additional Pasco Sheriff’s deputies just for Wesley Chapel or establishing a municipal police force (as in the cities of Dade City and Zephyrhills). Either way, police protection would be paid by the residents of the new City of Wesley Chapel.
“The only thing we have out here in terms of services that’s doing O.K. is fire,” Hess added. “The fire [and emergency medical] services are pretty good, but police is way behind. Plus, we can’t seem to get a post office and we have no municipal buildings of any kind.”
So, the fund raising is beginning in earnest now and Hess is quick to point out that the group is not looking for one or two sweetheart donors to fund the whole $75,000 starting cost.
“We’re looking for local business people and residents who want to donate anything from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to get the ball rolling,” he said. “We don’t want anyone thinking that because they funded most or all of it, that they have control over how we proceed.”
Kennedy also has made an initial inquiry with Pasco supervisor of elections Brian Corley, who said he would have to look into how it would work to set up an initial municipal election and how potential voters would be notified.
“Brian said, I’ve never done this before, so I will have to get back to you. But this is exciting!”
Thankfully, Hess noted, “There are a lot of examples over the last 10 years or so of communities in Florida incorporating, so at least we have some examples to study.”
The most recent such example is Westlake, which became the 411th municipality in Florida on June 22, 2016. Of course, the master-planned unit development known as Westlake only had about 900 residents when it incorporated (it’s up to about 6,000 today), vs. anywhere from about 60,000 to more than 100,000 residents of what would be the City of Wesley Chapel, depending upon whose population estimates you use and where the boundaries would be set.
“As far as places our size in Florida, there’s only a handful that aren’t incorporated,” Hess said. “We would definitely be a city, because of the size, not an incorporated town or village.”
Kennedy and Hess also discussed the type of municipal government that might be set up in the City of Wesley Chapel.
The current cities in Pasco County — Dade City, Zephyrhills, San Antonio, New Port Richey and Port Richey (St. Leo is an incorporated town)— are all run by City Councils, with mayors selected from the Council members.
But, Kennedy said that because Wesley Chapel is so much bigger, the government could be set up as a strong mayoral form of government, with City Council members representing the districts in which they live. “All of that needs to be figured out in the future,” she said.
They both said that if the studies come back favorable, the goal is to get the proposed city charter written in time for consideration by the 2026 State Legislative session. If approved, the governor could then select a charter mayor, and there could be municipal elections sometime during the following election cycle. As for who might be interested in serving as (or running for) the Mayor of Wesley Chapel, neither of them wanted to speculate. “It’s just so early in the process,” Hess said.
So, What About Those Boundaries?
As mentioned above, for now, the “working” boundaries for the proposed city are the three Wesley Chapel zip codes (33543, 33544 & 33545 on the map), but that could change.
As we reported in Oct. 2023, Kennedy would prefer to use the Census Designated Places (CDP) map, which uses natural boundaries for CDP boundaries, which would move the boundary of Wesley Chapel well west of I-75, to Cypress Creek. This would allow Wesley Chapel to also include the Tampa Premium Outlets, but using the CDP map also would mean that places like Watergrass, the northern half of Epperson and other parts of the so-called “Connected City” would not be included in the city limits.
No matter which boundaries end up being used, the City of Wesley Chapel would include all three local hospitals, plus Pasco Fire Rescue Station Nos. 13 (on Old Pasco Rd.) and 26 (in Meadow Pointe) and could include No. 38 in Watergrass.
Hess said that until the economic impact study comes back, there’s no reason to try to set the boundaries.
“The main thing for me,” he said, “is that if our taxes would have to go up significantly to make this happen, I couldn’t support it.”
For more info about the City of Wesley Chapel, email Jamie Hess at jamie.hess@computeremergencyroom.com.
The new Hooters, which is expected to begin building next to the Wesley Chapel Harley-Davidson dealership at 25245 Wesley Chapel Blvd. later this summer, has had a sign (above) visible for several months now, since shortly after HMC Hospitality Group signed its lease with the Harley dealership for property adjacent to the retail motorcycle shop.
HMC, whose LinkedIn.compage says it is owned by, “the founders of the world famous Original Hooters, a renowned name in the hospitality industry, with our presence in Tampa Bay, Chicago and Las Vegas.” It is not the same company that reportedly is getting ready to declare bankruptcy and shutter some Hooters locations. That company, Hooters of America, LLC, is not involved in the Wesley Chapel Hooters plans.
And, although OriginalHooters.comsays the Lutz/Wesley Chapel location is “Coming Summer 2025,” that is actually the expected start date for the restaurant to begin building, at least according to a spokesperson who asked to not be identified at the Harley dealership.
In other words, the new Hooters probably can’t open much before the end of 2025. — GN
(L.-r.) Kyle Flischel and Tom & Patrick Murtha are the partners who have helped make Murtha & Flischel CPAs in the Seven Oaks Professional Park one of the most respected Certified Public Accounting firms in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. (Photo provided by Murtha & Flischel)
For more than 14 years, Murtha & Flischel Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), have been a trusted name in the Wesley Chapel community. Known for dedication to personalized service and in-depth knowledge of accounting and tax laws, the firm has built a strong reputation as reliable partners for individuals and businesses alike.
The story of Murtha & Flischel began back in 1997, when Thomas Murtha and Raymond Flischel founded the firm as Flischel, Murtha & Associates in Englewood, FL. Ray Flischel worked for more than 40 years before retiring. Tom Murtha is a seasoned CPA with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY. Tom has nearly 40 years of experience in taxes, valuations, mergers and acquisitions, and has been a trusted advisor to many. He also taught accounting courses at Hillsborough Community College and for the American Institute of Banking for more than 15 years, helping shape the next generation of accountants.
In 2009, Tom’s son Patrick helped Tom and Ray sell their Englewood firm and open a new office — Murtha & Murtha, LLC, in Tampa. In 2015, the firm moved to the Seven Oaks Professional Park (off Ancient Oaks Blvd., north of S.R. 56) in Wesley Chapel, where it continued to grow and thrive. Today, the firm has changed its name to Murtha & Flischel and has three partners, including Tom, Patrick and Ray’s son Kyle Flischel.
Patrick and Kyle are both alumni of the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, where Patrick earned B.S. degrees in Finance and Accounting, in 2009 and 2015, respectively, while Kyle earned a B.S. degree in Accounting in 2011 and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Accounting with a focus on taxes, in 2017.
Murtha & Flischel offers a wide range of services to meet the needs of its clients. From preparing taxes to advising businesses on complex tax issues, the firm helps clients stay compliant and make the most of their financial opportunities. During tax season, Murtha & Flischel’s dedicated senior accountants — including Kaitlyn Kociba and Kaitlyn Little — work hard to assist clients. Both Kaitlyns started as interns and are now pursuing their CPA certifications. Junior accountants Jackie Moore and Tamara Daley also are valuable team members.
“We’re excited to expand our team,” Patrick says, “and we plan to add two more junior accountants soon.”
Client satisfaction is at the heart of everything the professionals at Murtha & Flischel do. The team’s personalized approach has earned the firm glowing reviews from its clients, as Murtha & Flischel has an overall 4.9 star (out of 5) rating on Google, with more than 115 reviews. Client Christina Helm shared in her 5-star rating: “It’s time we ALL quit slogging through TurboTax and never look back. From initial contact to my phone appointment with Kaitlyn Little to signing our return was about a month, with quick, accurate and professional communication, via phone, [by] email and on their app!”
In addition to tax preparation, the firm offers bookkeeping and accounting services that help businesses keep their financial records accurate and organized. This allows Murtha & Flischel’s clients to make informed decisions and plan for growth. The firm also specializes in business valuations, tax planning and helping buyers and sellers navigate the process of mergers and acquisitions.
“We started with mergers and acquisitions before expanding to other services,” Patrick says.
A High-Flying Firm
(L.-r.) Senior accountants Kaitlyn Kociba and Kaitlyn Little, partners Kyle Flischel and Patrick Murtha, office manager Lourdes (“Lou”) Alers, front office manager Sam Yates and staff accountant Tamara Daley can all be found at Murtha & Flischel’s Wesley Chapel office. (Photo by Charmaine George)
Patrick and Kyle have both recently earned their pilot’s licenses. In 2023, Patrick received his license and in December of last year, he completed instrument reading.
“Although we did it as a hobby, it has quickly become an essential part of our business,” Patrick says. “We had a client on the other side of the state, and where it would have taken us a few hours to get there, we were able to arrive in just under an hour and fly back home the same day. Flying saves us so much time and it makes it easier to provide hands-on support for our clients.”
Another standout offering is Murtha & Flischel’s CFO (Chief Financial Officer) Retainer Package. This service provides businesses with ongoing financial oversight, including monthly accounting, budgeting and tax planning. It also includes advice about health insurance and retirement plans. Acting as an outsourced CFO — at a fraction of the cost of an in-house CFO — the firm helps businesses stay financially secure while preparing for long-term success.
On TampaTaxFirm.com, the firm shares helpful articles under the “News and Articles” section. “We try to post relevant information that clients might find useful,” Patrick explains. Recent topics include the changes to federal and state tax laws for 2025 and guidance on the on-again, off-again BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) and FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) compliance. While Murtha & Flischel doesn’t complete BOI filings for its clients, the firm does provide clear instructions on how to complete that filing yourself.
“We want our clients to avoid fines and stay informed,” Patrick says, adding that although the requirement for businesses to file BOI was put on hold, it is possible it will become a requirement again at some point.
“The process is quite simple,” Patrick adds. “It takes only a few minutes to file electronically.” He recommends business owners either go ahead and complete it just in case or make sure they keep an eye on updates through FinCEN.gov.
This unwavering commitment to personalized service is what makes Murtha & Flischel stand out. “Our goal is to provide year-round support and timely responses to all client questions,” Patrick says. This dedication has earned the firm a loyal client base and a strong reputation in the local community.
The firm also supports local initiatives and participates in community events. This dedication not only enhances the staff’s connection with clients but also underscores the role of a community-centric firm.
Patrick and his wife Jennifer have three children — 10-year-old Thomas, Jack (age 9) and Audrey, 4. The family lives in Wesley Chapel and is very active in the local community, including the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and the North Tampa Bay Chamber. Meanwhile, Kyle (who has been the president of a local Business Networking International chapter) and his wife Stephanie enjoy brewing beer as a hobby.
The firm of Murtha & Flischel CPAs is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel. The Zephyrhills office is located at 5315 8th St.
Just before we went to press with our March 18 Wesley Chapel issue, we received the following statement from the management at Rock & Brews:
There has been a lot of confusion regarding the future of Rock & Brews on S.R. 56 and the likelihood of Portillo’s replacing it in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets.
To clarify the situation, Rock & Brews President of Operations Kris Maronpot recently provided us with this accurate information.
What’s Happening?
The Rock & Brews on S.R. 56 will be closing on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Rock & Brews encourages their rock star fans to dine with them by or before their final day of service on Sunday, March 23.
“It has been a great honor and experience to serve the Wesley Chapel and Tampa community,” Maronpot says. “We are thankful for everyone’s continued support. We look forward to serving those who rock in the future at our other Florida locations — Orlando, Oviedo, and Kissimmee — soon.”
