TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Free Collection Of Yard Debris May Be Cut As New Port Richey Looks For Savings

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRISTIAN M. WADE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - For years, residents have been able to drag grass cuttings, leaves, broken trees limbs and other yard debris to the end of their roads, knowing that someone would come around at least once a month to take it all away, free of charge.

It's a service that residents pay for, at least partially, from their annual property taxes, and one that costs this west Pasco County municipality about $200,000 every year.

But as city officials calculate revenue losses from the statewide property tax amendment, approved by voters on Jan. 29, the popular bulk pickup service could become the first casualty.

This year, the city expects to lose about $400,000 as a result of the amendment, not including the amount it could lose down the road from changes in the homestead exemption.

That money has to come from somewhere.

"It will probably be the first thing to go," Finance Director Rick Snyder said. "But we're also looking at decreasing park maintenance and other cost-saving measures."

Ultimately, the city council would have to approve any such proposals.

Mayor Dan Tipton said he would hate to see the yard debris service end, but the drum beat of state-mandated tax changes is forcing the city to make tough decisions.

"It's a good service and very popular," he said. "But I think people can live without it."

He said residents would still be able to take yard debris over to the county's dump on Pine Hill Road in Port Richey and drop it off there without paying a tipping fee.

"They can just haul it over there," Tipton said. "There's no charge."

Council members are not expected to discuss cost-cutting measures until early March.
City officials have been eyeing reductions in expenditures since the first round of tax changes last year, when New Port Richey was forced to forfeit the taxes it collects by 9 percent, or $225,000.

More trimming will be needed in the next fiscal year and beyond, city officials say, with the financial effects of the Jan. 29 constitutional amendment likely being felt for years.

So far, no layoffs have been proposed or substantial cuts in municipal services such as fire and police. And raising property taxes, city officials have said, is not on the table.

Some fees have been increased, however, to brace for the financial impact.

New Port Richey's $43.5 million budget for this current fiscal year includes some hefty increases in fees for services provided by several city departments. The increases ran the gamut from building permits and rezoning applications, to fire inspections, garage sale permits, title searches and late charges for library books.

Additional cost cutting will come from a staff hiring freeze and employment attrition.

"We have several department heads that will be looking to retire soon, and we would be hiring entry-level employees," Tipton said. "That will likely save the city a lot of money."

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT