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City To Rake In Illegal Dumpers

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By KLINT LOWRY The Suncoast News

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 25, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - People who don't live in the city who bring yard debris into city limits and clandestinely leaving it to be picked up with residents' trash be warned: There is a price on your heads.

The city council passed an ordinance at its Sept. 16 meeting meant to curtail curbside dumping. The ordinance comes with financial incentives in two directions - targeting offenders' wallets and offering rewards to residents who help enforce the law by turning in illegal dumpers.

Residents and private contractors working at a given property are, as they always have been, permitted to leave vegetation and other yard debris out to be picked up by private haulers or the city Public Works Department. The debris, however, must be placed on public rights of way adjacent to the property or in designated pickup areas. In addition, it can't interfere with traffic or block access to the property.

People coming into the city to illegally dump yard debris is a longstanding problem, according to City Manager Thomas O'Neill. When he was the public works director, he once estimated a third of the yard waste handled by city crews was imported from outside New Port Richey, O'Neill wrote in a memo.

With expenses increasing and revenue decreasing, there is a cost issue to be considered, along with aesthetic and workload considerations, O'Neill said.

Under the ordinance, anyone caught illegally dumping waste material of any kind in a public right of way will be charged with a Class 1 violation and face a $150 fine for a first offense. Offenders can be fined for a separate violation every day the debris remains.

The city manager also is authorized to pay a $100 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an illegal dumping conviction.

The ordinance went into effect immediately after its approval.

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