Council declines to extend temporary waiver of hurricane‑related permit fees after city manager warns of FEMA reimbursement impact

The Port Richey City Council voted not to extend a temporary waiver of building‑permit fees for repairs related to hurricanes Elaine and Milton, citing the financial impact on federal disaster reimbursements.

City Manager Andrew Butterfield told the council that from Oct. 1 through June 5 the city had waived $347,584 in permit fees related to storm damage. He emphasized those waived fees are not reimbursed by FEMA; instead, FEMA subtracts the waived amount from the municipality’s reimbursement, amplifying the net cost to the city.

Council members debated whether extending waivers would meaningfully prompt additional permit applications from homeowners who have not yet filed. Staff estimated roughly 300 damaged properties had not submitted permit applications. One council member said many homeowners who will act already have applied, and that further extensions risk continuing a meaningful cost to taxpayers without substantially increasing compliance.

Pasco County’s practice was cited: council members observed the county had ended similar waivers and warned property owners that demolition could follow if repairs are not pursued within a county‑specified timeframe. The council concluded that continuing the waiver would carry a material fiscal hit and voted to deny extension of the temporary waiver.

Action and follow‑up: the council’s motion to deny extension passed by voice vote. Staff will proceed under the current code and continue outreach to encourage homeowners to apply for required permits; council members discussed a forthcoming letter and public information campaign to increase permit compliance.

Why it matters: extending fee waivers helped residents immediately after the storms but shifted the cost onto the city and lowered FEMA reimbursements, prompting the council to weigh short‑term relief against long‑term fiscal consequences.