Port Richey approves Brown Associates for auditing, renews county solid‑waste agreement and accepts $800,000 fire engine grant

At its Dec. 9 meeting, Port Richey council members approved several administrative contracts and agreements aimed at stabilizing city services and capital needs.

Auditing services: Staff solicited bids to replace a delinquent out‑of‑state auditor. The council approved accepting Brown Associates’ bid (year 1: $34,000 with $1,000 annual increases over five years) for annual audit services. The city manager said the Florida‑based firm should be easier to contact than the current auditor.

Solid waste: The council approved an updated interlocal agreement with Pasco County governing solid waste disposal and resource recovery that modernizes a 1987 contract and preserves the city’s access to county disposal infrastructure. Staff and council emphasized this does not change residential collection franchising; it maintains disposal access for haulers serving Port Richey.

Grant for fire engine: Council authorized the mayor to sign a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Financial Services for $800,000 appropriated through the General Appropriations Act to acquire a new fire engine; the grant is an annual appropriation.

Consulting/transition services: Council approved an employment/consulting agreement enabling outgoing City Manager Andrew Butterfield to form an LLC and provide transition services to the incoming manager through Feb. 28 (or earlier), paid at a rate consistent with prior compensation; the measure passed by voice vote.

Each of these motions passed by voice vote during the meeting; staff will return with contract documents and next steps for implementation.