Port Richey approves $8,000 settlement to clear liens on 5701 Regis Ave

Port Richey — The City Council voted Jan. 13 to accept an $8,000 settlement to clear municipal liens against property at 5701 Regis Avenue.

The property carried multiple outstanding liens totaling $9,468.64 as of the Nov. 18 accounting in the agenda packet. City staff reported the buyer offered a cash payment to clear title; staff recommended settling for the principal amount rather than pursue extended collection or legal foreclosure. City Manager Don King and finance staff explained that much of the larger total is accrued interest and administrative costs from years of unresolved enforcement actions.

After public comment from a local resident who urged the council to collect the full balance, councilmembers discussed precedent, fairness and the city’s cash-flow needs. Several councilmembers argued the city should recoup taxpayer outlays for mowing and code enforcement and not set a broad precedent for aggressive interest waivers. Others said a negotiated settlement resolves a longstanding title problem and gets the city paid promptly.

Council voted to accept a settlement of $8,000, which the city recorded as a negotiated payoff that effectively waived $1,468.64 in accrued interest and added a modest recording charge; motion carried 4–1.

Staff said the settlement is case-by-case and does not change the city’s authority to collect other liens, and noted that future lien collection practices (including possible placement of liens on future tax rolls) remain under review. The council instructed staff to document the settlement terms and return any needed implementing paperwork.