New Port Richey council approves four non‑ad valorem assessments, recesses budget hearing to Sept. 18

The New Port Richey City Council voted to approve four non‑ad valorem assessment resolutions on fees for stormwater, street lighting, road paving and collection of certain municipal liens, and recessed the public hearing on the tentative 2024–25 operating budget until Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

Miss Dunn, a city staff member presenting the assessment items, told the council that the stormwater utility assessment is charged under local ordinance and state law and that Pasco County administers billing on the county tax bill. "The dollar amount of the stormwater utility fee is $80 per equivalent residential unit," she said. She also stated that the street lighting fee is set at $37.81 per equivalent residential unit and that the paving assessment is $85 per equivalent residential unit. Miss Dunn described the municipal liens item as a list of unpaid code enforcement fines the city will certify to Pasco County for collection under an existing county certification process.

The council discussed each assessment briefly; there was no substantive change to the fee levels from the prior year. During the paving item, one council member praised the road program as broadly popular with residents, saying the small assessment "and it's Everybody loves paved roads." Each resolution was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote; the meeting record shows the council signaled "aye" with no recorded opposing votes and a council member was noted as excused during roll call.

By approving the resolutions the council authorized certification of the respective non‑ad valorem assessment rolls to the Pasco County tax collector, as described by staff. The budget hearing was recessed at the council's request and will continue on Sept. 18 at 6:00 p.m. The council adjourned after brief communications.