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MELIA BOWIEIn one, New Port Richey's council wants to know if it should be able to abolish the police or fire department without a public vote.
NEW PORT RICHEY - How much control do residents want elected leaders to have when it comes to making key decisions for the city?
Two questions on Tuesday's municipal ballot could provide an unofficial litmus test for those on the City Council.
Voters will be presented with two proposed charter changes on Tuesday. The suggestions, recommended by the city's Charter-Ordinance Advisory Board, are meant to clarify language and eliminate redundancies in New Port Richey's guiding document, members of the board have said.
The first referendum question covers a range of issues. They include lengthening the term of City Council members from two to three years and extending the city's independent auditor term from three years to five.
Lengthening residency requirements for candidates and requiring that petitions have signatures of 10 percent of all registered voters - instead of 10 percent of the number of people who voted in the last election - are other proposed changes.
But it is the second question being put to voters that has sparked the most controversy:
Should New Port Richey's charter be changed to allow the City Council to transfer or abolish the police or fire department without a public vote?
"We elect the City Council to run the city, period," advisory board member Jim Schuh has said in explaining the board's move to eliminate language requiring a public referendum. "They're the ones who should decide. That's their job."
Others disagreed.
City Council members opted to separate the two questions on the ballot citing concerns that the fire and police referendum could sink a host of other suggested changes.
At meetings earlier this year, homeowners, business leaders and state Rep. Heather Fiorentino, R-New Port Richey, turned out to oppose placing the query on the ballot.
On Friday, those planning to vote in next week's election said their stance has not changed.
"I basically will be voting no," said Laura Turner, a resident and owner of the Potting Shed on Main Street. "I do not think that five members of City Council, albeit elected officials, should have the authority to do away with lifesaving services."
Some called the issue moot.
"I don't think anybody in this city will vote to get rid of the police or the fire departments," homeowner Norma Wasserman said.
The current charter states that the council cannot alter or abolish New Port Richey's police or fire departments without a public referendum.
An end to the Fire Department was suggested in the 1990s but failed.
- Melia Bowie 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 bowie@sptimes.com