Full Notification

CITY OF NEW PORT RICHEY

*** For Immediate Release ***
July 9, 2012

Contact: Doug Haag, Finance Director
City of New Port Richey
5919 Main Street
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Tel: 727-853-1053
Email: [email protected]

TOWN HALL MEETING
Thursday, July 12, 2012 - 7:00 p.m.
New Port Richey City Hall - Council Chambers
5919 Main Street, New Port Richey

“Meeting the Challenge Together”
Proposed Stormwater and Street Lighting Rates for 2012 - 2017
The City of New Port Richey recently completed rate studies for both its Stormwater and Street Lighting Services. The studies included an analysis of current revenue patterns and operating and capital projections for the next five (5) years. The studies were long overdue - in the case of Stormwater, the rates have not changed since the program’s inception in 2001. That’s going on thirteen (13) years. This is a big part of the reason that the residential rate is proposed to go from $40.32 per year to $77.36 per year. It is anticipated that these rates would be in effect through at least 2017. Copies of the studies are available at the Library and city website.

The City is facing a “worst case scenario” deficit of almost $17 million over the next five years. These rate increases are just one of many steps that are being undertaken taken to restore the City’s financial health. Another recent action was a proposed General Fund budget for next fiscal year that cuts $1 million in operating costs from the General Fund alone. The total citywide budget has been reduced from $49 million to $43 million.

The City Council will hold a Stormwater and Streetlight informational meeting on Thursday, July 12, 2012, 7:00p.m. at City Council Chambers located at City Hall, 5919 Main Street, New Port Richey.
The final public hearing will be at 7:00 p.m., or soon thereafter, on July 17, 2012, in the City Council Chambers located at City Hall, 5919 Main Street, New Port Richey. Comments will be received on the proposed Stormwater and Street Lighting Service Assessments, including their collection on the Ad Valorem Tax Bill.
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