Thursday, May 16, 2013
“We would be beating the life out of our residents,” says one council member.
Recalling city leaders’ decision last year to raise New Port Richey’s millage rate and city fees, the city council on Tuesday shot down an idea to create a new fee to pay for fire protection services. An attorney with the firm providing New Port Richey with legal services presented the council Tuesday, May 14 with the idea of creating the special assessment that could be levied against property parcels in the city to collect funds. City Council members weren’t fans of the idea. Faced with a dire five-year deficit projection, the City Council last year decided to raise the city millage rate from 8.38 to 9.57 mills. It also raised the city’s storm water and streetlight utility fees Councilwoman Judy DeBella Thomas said that if the city …
Friday, April 19, 2013
City leaders wiil be talking about finding a permanent replacement to fill the shoes of former manager John Schneiger.
New Port Richey City Council members plan on talking next week about starting the search for a new permanent city manager. Susan Dillinger, who also leads the New Port Richey Public Library, has been acting as interim city manager since the departure of former city manager John Schneiger in October. In January, the city decided to put off the search for a city manager until after the April 9 elections. Now, the city has two new council members in Jeff Starkey and Chopper Davis, and council members agreed it was time to consider starting the search in earnest. They will discuss it in a work session Tuesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. in City Hall. What do you want to see happen withe city manager position?
Thursday, April 18, 2013
The organization working with the city on redevelopment and marketing issues has some ideas.
Which of New Port Richey’s strengths do you think should be used to brand the city? John Hagen, executive director of the Pasco Economic Development Council, has presented some ideas his group is considering to the City Council Tuesday. The city agreed last year to pay the Economic Development Council $66,000 to provide economic development and marketing services to the city. During an update on its efforts given during the April 16 City Council meeting, Hagen told council members there are six strengths his organization is looking at highlighting to create a brand for the city. They are as follows: The city has the Pithlachascotee River in its borders and Gulf of Mexico nearby, Hagen said. 2. History The Hacienda Hotel is an example …
Friday, April 5, 2013
Officials found the money in the the water and sewer utility reserves. Now, city leaders will have to decide how to use it.
New Port Richey city leaders authorized the transfer Tuesday, April 2 of $967,699 from the city’s water and utility fund to the general fund. That means they now have some extra spending money on hand to use in the general fund to use in the general, which is the primary fund for paying for most city services. The transfer of $967, 699 follows the recommendations of a five-year revenue study by consulting firm Burton & Associates. The city restructured its utility debt last year to allow for transfers to the general fund and asked the consulting firm to weigh in. The transfer includes $847,599 generated by the annual payment from Tampa Bay Water for the purchase of utility assets. It also includes $100,000 as part of a new payment in lieu …
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The qualifying period to file for a seat closes today at noon.
Your opportunity to get your name on the ballot in the New Port Richey city council election ends today. Qualifying for the April 9 election closes today, Feb. 19, at noon. There are two seats up for grabs. Potential candidates must file their required qualifying documents with the city clerk by that time. The clerk’s office is at City Hall, 5919 Main St, New Port Richey. Here’s the list of people who have put their names in the running so far. Find out a little bit more info on them in our article.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Potential candidates can submit qualifying paperwork through noon on Feb. 19.
Think you have what it takes to become a New Port Richey city council member? Your chance to prove it is here. New Port Richey is holding city council elections April 9, and the qualifying period opens today. During the elections, voters in the city limits will have the opportunity to elect two people to the council. The qualifying period opens today, Feb. 12, at noon and closes Feb. 19 at noon. To qualify as a candidate, the resident must be a registered voter and have lived within the city limits for at least six months prior to the election. Qualifying paperwork for the city election can now be picked up from City Clerk Doreen Summers. Her office is at City Hall, 5919 Main St, New Port Richey. Completed paperwork must be submitted to …
Monday, January 28, 2013
New Port Richey's retiring council members explain their reasons for not seeking reelection, and a new face announces he's entering the running.
New Port Richey Deputy Mayor Rob Marlowe and Councilman Bob Langford are not putting their names in the running for April's municipal election. Both council members say it's time for someone else to step forward to lead the city into the future. New Port Richey is holding city council elections April 9. During the elections, voters in the city limits will have the opportunity to elect two people to the council. The qualifying period to run for one of the two open council seats starts February 12 at noon and closes February 19 at noon. The city council was faced recently with a budget that called for layoffs and tough decision making. Projections last year estimated the city faced a five-year deficit that looked dire. Now, however, the city…
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The new law gives the city a chance to get help with razing slum or blighted properties.
New Port Richey City Council members gave final approval Tuesday to an ordinance that paves the way for the city to raze blighted or slum properties. There were four City Council members present, and all four voted for the ordinance. Maypr Bob Consalvo was absent due to illness. The ordinance is modeled after a Pasco County ordinance, and it allows the city to access resources to help with demolition. Sherman Applegate, city public works director, says the ordinance opens the way for the city to seek federal Neighborhood Stabilization funds disbursed by Pasco County to assist with demolition. The city would bill the property owners for the full demolition cost and be able to place a lien on the property if the bill wasn’t paid in 30 days. …
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
John Schneiger isn't happy with his bosses, and they want to sever his contract, which could cost the city an estimated $44,000.
It looks like New Port Richey is losing its city manager. John Schneiger took time off early last month and has been out of the office since then, and it looks like he doesn’t have a desire to return to the job. “He feels that he has lost the support of the majority of council,” said Mayor Bob Consalvo at a council meeting Tuesday. “He does not feel that he can be an effective leader, at this point, with the city. "...At this point, he has no desire to come back and work in the city,” Consalvo said later. Schneiger’s employment agreement with the city is a “continuing contract,” said Consalvo. The only options the city has are to sever the contract or continue Schneiger's contract and then fire him, which would require 45 days notice per …
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Do you think New Port Richey should take over animal control services from the county?
The New Port Richey City Council is slated to take a final vote tonight on whether to approve an ordinance needed for the city to take over animal control services from Pasco County. The plan is for New Port Richey to handle its own animal services using volunteers and city employees starting Oct. 1. The council had been poised to take the vote on the plan two weeks ago, but decided to postpone it to tonight to give planners time to work on lingering issues, like incorporating dog licensing into the proposal. The plan proposes giving residents a 6-month grace period before the licensing rule is enforced. The plan is touted as a way to save the city money eventually and improve response to animal complaints. The City Council meets at 7 p.m…
Greg Giordano
1:38 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013
I agree, Rob, that whomever its hired must be "invested" in the local community. I would think it would be fairly easy to determine if a local applicant has ties to whomever you refer to as the special interests. An important quality of the applicant would be not only a new vision for the city but a willingness to work with the council to achieve that vision. more ›