City Leaders Extinguish Fire Fee Idea

Recalling city leaders’ decision last year to raise New Port Richey’s millage rate and city fees, the city council on Tuesday shot down an idea to create a new fee to pay for fire protection services.  

An attorney with the firm providing New Port Richey with legal services presented the council Tuesday, May 14 with the idea of creating the special assessment that could be levied against property parcels in the city to collect funds.

City Council members weren’t fans of the idea.

Faced with a dire five-year deficit projection, the City Council last year decided to raise the city millage rate from 8.38 to 9.57 mills. It also raised the city’s storm water and streetlight utility fees

Councilwoman Judy DeBella Thomas said that if the city were to approve the fire assessment, “We would be beating the life out of our residents.”

She expressed that she wanted to start this year’s budget process with the idea of "being as effective as we can with the money that we have.”

Other council members echoed that sentiment.

“This is just another fee,” Deputy Mayor Bill Phillips said. “And to be honest with you, I don’t need that music.”  

However, they didn’t rule out revisiting the fee at a later time.

Do you think the council was right to shoot down the fire fee idea? Tell us by commenting below!