PORT RICHEY - The City Council on Wednesday night postponed a vote to reconsider an ordinance eliminating police dispatch. On Monday, lawyers for the city filed papers asking a judge to decide whether a referendum petition seeking to save dispatch is valid. City Attorney Paul Marino argues the petition falls short because the 3-2 vote to close dispatch, in favor of a contract with the city of New Port Richey, was based on budgetary concerns. But the citizen committee Save Our Police disagrees. The move was largely political, the group contends. If the court agrees with Save Our Police, the council will be given a chance to reconsider its vote. If there is no change, the decision will go before all voters later, possibly April.
