Pasco: Hook-up idea puts some on hook

Hook-up idea puts some on hook

New Port Richey looks into sewer connections that would require 93 people to pay up to $4,838 each, plus other costs.

By JENNIFER GOLDBLATT

New Port Richey looks into sewer connections that would require 93 people to pay up to $4,838 each, plus other costs.

NEW PORT RICHEY -- After abnormal levels of copper were found in Cross Bayou, the Department of Environmental Protection said New Port Richey and Pasco County would have to pay a price. Now, the city is suggesting a way to meet that obligation that also could mean new sewer service for county residents living in the city's utility area.

But those residents might have to help pay for it.

The New Port Richey city staff plans to propose a sewer construction project for the Grand View Park and Park Estates communities to the DEP in order to help pay the city's part of the fine. Those communities are adjacent to city limits in unincorporated Pasco County, but within the city's utility service area.

The city would assess 93 county residents up to $4,838 each. Council members voted unanimously late Tuesday night to direct city staffers to suggest the project to the DEP. The city would pay the estimated $45,000 it would cost to design and engineer the project -- which would more than cover its share of the $28,800 penalty that remains to be paid. The city also would pick up a portion of the $450,000 project cost, as it has for similar projects in the past, city officials said.

In addition to the assessment, Grand View Park and Park Estates residents would also have to pay the $1,169 utility impact fee that every property owner pays upon connection to the city sewer system. As non-city resident customers of the city's sewer system, they also would pay rates that are 25 percent higher than city residents.

In other council business Tuesday night:

Council members took no action on the Civil Service Board's inquiry about obtaining legal representation in the city's suit against Leonard Reeves, the city employee fired by City Manager Gerald Seeber for drug and paraphernalia possession during work hours.

Reeves appealed the decision to the Civil Service Board, whose decision is final. The city manager then filed a petition in circuit court against Reeves to uphold his termination. Board chairman Robert Moore received a copy of the suit, but since the suit's contestants are the city and Reeves, the board does not need an attorney at this time.

Council members encouraged Moore to return to the board to ask the council for legal assistance if a need arises. In those circumstances, City Attorney Tom Morrison would represent the board, since the city has retained labor counsel Allen, Norton & Blue for this case.