Port Richey council adopts resolutions to collect liens, formalize cafeteria plan, set health opt‑out pay, and seek boat‑ramp grant

The Port Richey City Council voted to adopt a package of administrative and financial measures at its May meeting, formalizing employee benefit practices and authorizing the city to begin using the county tax roll to collect code‑enforcement and other non ad valorem liens.

Resolution 26‑03: non ad valorem collection Council adopted Resolution 26‑03 to authorize the city to use the uniform method of collection of non ad valorem assessments and to authorize Pasco County officials to provide notices and collect city liens and other liens on properties within the city. Council discussion clarified the resolution establishes a framework; the city will later execute agreements with the Pasco County property appraiser and tax collector and then bring annual lists of affected parcels for resolution approval before placing amounts on the tax roll.

Resolution 26‑01: Section 125 cafeteria plan City Manager Don King summarized Resolution 26‑01 as the administrative action needed to align the city’s paperwork with existing practice under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, allowing eligible employees to make pretax elections for health, dental, vision and related benefits. King said the plan codifies current practice and authorizes the city manager and staff to implement the plan.

Resolution 26‑02: health‑insurance opt‑out incentive Council adopted Resolution 26‑02 authorizing a voluntary opt‑out incentive for employees who decline city coverage and maintain qualifying alternative coverage. King told the council the opt‑out incentive is $250 per pay period; he said five employees currently participate and that the city pays approximately $2,500 in total opt‑out incentives under the current participation level. King also stated the monthly cost to enroll an employee in the city plan was $1,164.62.

Resolution 26‑04: boat ramp grant application Council authorized staff to apply for a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Boating Improvement Program grant for improvements to boat‑ramp and waterfront facilities at Nicks Park. Staff said the requested grant amount is approximately $304,000–$304,500 and that no matching contribution is required, although committing a local match could increase grant scoring.

Procedural notes and votes Motions were made and seconded from the dais for each resolution; votes were recorded by voice and the measures carried. For the non ad valorem resolution staff explained the next steps include formal agreements with Pasco County and subsequent annual resolutions to place specific amounts on the tax roll. Mayor John Eric Hoover and City Manager Don King both spoke in support of the administrative measures and grant application.

Council did not record detailed roll‑call tallies for most votes in the transcript; where noted staff counted ayes on the boating grant as six in the room during that vote.