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Fee To Light Streets May Increase

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 17, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - City council members are planning to increase street-lighting fees this year by about 22 percent to keep Pasco County's largest city illuminated at night.

Before they do, they want to hear from city residents and business owners about the proposed increases. A public hearing will be held tonight at 7 in city hall.

The average increase would be less than a can of soda per month. Figures provided by city staff indicate the cost to the average taxpayer would be $31.83, or an estimated $5.76 more a year. That's up from $26.07 last year.

The city expects to generate $51,700 annually from the increased fees, which also are levied on road paving and stormwater, and are tacked onto annual property tax bills.

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

Overall, New Port Richey's $43.5 million budget this fiscal year includes hefty increases in fees for services provided by the city. The increases run the gamut, from building permits to fire inspections, garage sale permits and late charges for library books.

Officials say the fee increases are needed to compensate for losses in tax revenue from state-mandated reforms and rising operating costs in this city of about 16,000 residents.

Last June, the streetlight assessment was increased 15 percent. City staff had asked for a fee increase of at least 33 percent, but council members decided against such a large increase.

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