New Port Richey drops police, fuel fee proposals

Leaders say Port Richey does not agree on police services and that a fuel oil tax would earn almost nothing.

By JENNIFER GOLDBLATT, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 9, 2002

NEW PORT RICHEY -- The ideas of creating a fuel oil tax and offering to police the city of Port Richey both flamed out quickly at a New Port Richey work session Tuesday night.

Council members put the kibosh on a 4-cent-a-gallon tax for city residents who heat their homes with fuel oil, after the city's finance director said it would probably only bring in about $500 per year.

The city's staff originally had estimated the fee would raise anywhere from $97,400 to $194,000 each year. But more precise figures emerged Monday.

Council members also briefly discussed providing law enforcement for Port Richey, which has been considering eliminating its police department and contracting the service out.

But when City Manager Gerald Seeber spoke with Port Richey Manager Vince Lupo, Lupo said an agreement between the cities would be unlikely.

New Port Richey Mayor Frank Parker called discussion of the issue "happy hour chatter" that did not belong on the council meeting agenda.

"We contacted them, and they have no interest in what we're doing," Parker said. "I think this is a waste of time."

Other council members agreed with Parker.

Council member Tom Finn, who originally suggested offering city services to Port Richey, said he just wanted to throw the idea out. "Evidently, it wasn't accepted or appreciated," he said.

Also Tuesday night, council members agreed to boost the incentives available to business owners to make over the facades of their buildings.

Currently, the city offers matching grants of up to $2,000 for improvements. But only three people have applied for those grants so far. Tuesday evening, the council boosted those grants to $5,000 and relaxed restrictions on what improvements can be done.

-- Jennifer Goldblatt covers the city of New Port Richey. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is goldblatt@sptimes.com.

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