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New Port Richey Weighs 22% Streetlight Fee Increase

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 2, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - For the second time in as many years, residents might have to dig a little deeper into their wallets to keep Pasco County's biggest city illuminated at night.

The city council is considering a 22 percent increase in the special assessment that pays for hundreds of streetlights in neighborhoods, parks and other areas throughout the city.

City Manager Tom O'Neill said the proposed increases are necessary to cover streetlight costs while city officials struggle to maintain services with less revenue.

He said the cost per month to the average resident will be less than a can of soda.

"The financial impact of residents from these increases will be negligible," O'Neill said.

Council members will discuss the proposal Tuesday night.

Figures provided by city staff indicate that the cost to the average taxpayer would be $31.83, or an estimated $0.48 more per month. That's up from $26.07 last year.

The city expects to generate $51,700 from the proposed increases.

Deputy Mayor Bob Consalvo, a frequent critic of the fee system, said he hasn't made up his mind on the increases but is concerned about the impact on residents.

"Fifty cents a month is a lot of money to some people," he said Friday.

In 2003, the city began assessing residents for streetlights after expenses started eating away at the general fund. Previously, the city paid the entire bill for lighting.

But since then, the city has upgraded the wattage of many streetlights and built more parks, which has added to the financial strain on the city's dwindling general fund.

Even with the special tax, however, the city has been subsidizing a portion of the bills.

"There's no magic pot of money in the city," O'Neill said. "We're going to recover the cost one way or another, and this is the fairest and most equitable way to accomplish that."

Last June, council members increased the special tax assessment by 15 percent.

City staff had recommended raising the tax by at least 33 percent, saying the last increase was four years ago and the city's expense for streetlights exceeds revenue. But council members balked at the hefty increase. So they split it in half.

The special assessments, also levied on road paving and stormwater treatment, have been routinely criticized by some residents as another layer of government taxation.

Four years ago, Timberwood residents filed a petition seeking to remove their properties from the city limits because of the assessments.

The petition failed, but antipathy over the fees has continued.

O'Neill said the assessments, although unpopular, pay for an essential public service.

"Nobody wants us to turn off the lights," he said. "And we've got to pay the bills."

IF YOU GO

The New Port Richey City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 5919 Main St.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 185-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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