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Port Richey leaders discuss $4.3 million in state appropriations, water main work and Grand Boulevard planning
Summary
Mayor and city staff reviewed recent state budget approvals that could provide about $4.3 million for local projects — including water main replacement, lift station rehab and a fire truck — and scheduled workshops to plan Grand Boulevard and other property acquisitions.
Mayor John Eric Cooper told the council the Florida legislative budget process produced line-item funding that, if signed by the governor, would provide about $4.3 million in appropriations for the city.
Cooper said the total included several earmarks the city had requested: roughly $2.5 million for water-pipe replacement, $1 million for lift-station rehabilitation, $800,000 for a fire truck and $400,000 for housing-related items. “That now gets packaged up and goes to the governor. If the governor signs that, city will be getting $4,300,000 in appropriations,” Cooper said.
Council members and staff then discussed priorities for deploying those funds, should the governor approve them. City Manager Andrew Butterfield said the city will want to move quickly to deploy capital so the legislature sees progress; staff noted $500,000 identified for an Old Post Road main replacement and existing CRA funds of $500,000 plus $150,000 in general funds available for land purchase.
The council also scheduled a workshop to begin planning Grand Boulevard improvements and to review city-owned parcels and potential acquisitions for parks and other uses. Staff said the Grand Boulevard project remains subject to engineer revisions and FDOT permitting; once final approvals are received the city will produce bid documents and return to council for authorization.
Council and staff discussed lead-and-copper sampling requirements tied to state and EPA rules and the practical burden on small systems. City staff reported sampling and replacement efforts focus primarily on customer service lines; any larger replacement program would be phased and could be supported by grant funds, the council was told.
Council directed staff to continue discussions with developers and to bring updates to upcoming meetings, including a staff briefing scheduled with a developer via Zoom and a planning workshop for Grand Boulevard.
