Port Richey council discusses city-manager role, communications and staff evaluations

Port Richey elected officials reopened a months‑long conversation about whether the city should remain a council‑manager government or shift toward a stronger mayoral role during a July 1 council workshop focused on the structure and execution of city government.

The discussion mattered because Port Richey has had high turnover in the city manager position since 1994, and council members said that turnover has complicated delivery of services and long‑term projects. Council members also debated how councilors should interact with staff, whether the mayor and council should routinely copy department heads on constituent emails to speed responses, and whether the city should add clearer evaluation and performance incentives to retain senior staff.

City Manager Andrew Butterfield outlined the background for the discussion and the city’s history with the council‑manager model, noting that "we're currently in the council manager form of government" and that the city has averaged roughly 2–3 years per manager depending on whether interims are included. He said the intent of the workshop was to "take a deep breath and talk about things" rather than to make an immediate change.

Councilman Robert Hubbard pressed for changes that would let elected officials be more responsive to residents while preserving the manager’s…