New Port Richey council approves school-zone speed detection ordinances after staff cites speed studies

The New Port Richey City Council voted unanimously to finalize an ordinance authorizing speed detection systems in school zones and approved a separate ordinance on first reading that designates specific school zones for the devices.

Staff presented ordinance 2025-23-18 for second and final reading and said the city's March 2025 speed studies showed drivers averaged more than 10 mph over a 15 mph school-zone limit in multiple active school zones. The staff report explained statutory authority under Florida law and outlined how a $100 citation is apportioned: $20 to the state general revenue fund, $60 retained by the city to administer speed-detection systems and safety initiatives, $17 remitted to the local school district, $3 to the state criminal-justice training trust fund, $12 to the Pasco County School District for school security or transportation improvements, and $5 to Pasco County for crossing guard recruitment and retention.

Council members questioned how vendors would be paid (fee per camera or percentage of citations), whether cameras would operate only when school is in session, and whether signals would be placed at the middle of a school zone rather than at the edge to avoid sudden-ticketing. Staff said vendors will be selected through an RFP; staff prefers a per-camera fee, vendors will monitor and review violations with the police department, and the city will model vendor practices on programs such as Sarasota's to avoid so-called "speed traps." The first reading of ordinance 2025-23-30 designates four school zones where speed detection systems will initially be placed; staff said the city can amend designated zones in the future.

The council approved the second reading of ordinance 2025-23-18 and approved ordinance 2025-23-30 on first reading; both votes were recorded as unanimous.