On the agenda

1. 1Call to Order – Roll Call▶ 0:00
2. 4.a

   Resolution No. 2025-12: Intent Resolution to Use Uniform Method of Non-Ad Valorem Assessments to Collect Solid Waste Delinquencies

   discussed

   Council considered Resolution 2025-12, an intent resolution to use the uniform method of non-ad valorem assessments to collect delinquent solid waste accounts via the property tax roll. Several residents and Councilmembers Altman and Butler raised concerns about billing accuracy, the single-hauler system, and the city's role as middleman, with discussion of approximately $156,000 in delinquencies and roughly 27% delinquency rates.

   Ord. Resolution No. 2025-12

   📍5805 Illinois📍6013 Adams Street📍6100 River Road🏢J.D. Parker🏢WastePro👤Altman👤Angela Napolitano👤Bertell👤Butler👤Debbie Manz👤Jeff Olds👤Lisa Tinker👤Peter Romato👤Peters#Resolution No. 2025-12#Schwedman#Section 197.3632 Florida Statutes#Single Hauler Waste Collection#Uniform Method of Non-Ad Valorem Assessments

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   [00:00:34] Thank you. [00:00:37] Okay, resolution number 2025-12, intent resolution to use a uniform method of non-ad valorem [00:00:48] assessments to collect solid waste delinquencies. [00:00:52] This is resolution number 2025-12, a resolution of the City Council of the City of New Port Richey, Florida, providing for the City's intent to use the uniform method of non-ad [00:01:03] valorem assessments to collect solid waste collection service fee against all real property [00:01:08] within the City, having delinquent residential curbside solid waste collection accounts with [00:01:13] the City, pursuant to Section 197.3632 Florida Statutes for 2025 and each year thereafter [00:01:22] until discontinued as provided herein. [00:01:31] I thought it would be helpful to provide a brief history of this matter and to really [00:01:38] focus in on the current issue before the Council has a vote and in that respect I've prepared [00:01:44] a short PowerPoint and with your permission I'd like to present that PowerPoint. [00:01:49] If we could get that started please. [00:05:19] That's kind of important in this whole thing because when you start just putting the charges [00:05:31] out there, I heard different people were getting charges, they were getting PO boxes, they [00:05:37] didn't get it in the mail, they didn't get it properly, some people owned lots, there's [00:05:42] a lot of confusion. [00:05:44] I say why do we adopt all that confusion as a city? [00:05:48] Our thing is just simply let them list anybody that is not, if there is an address, they, [00:05:54] the drivers, whoever, they have a chart of all the addresses. [00:05:58] They know who to pick up and who not to pick up. [00:06:00] In the past they knew who their accounts were with. [00:06:04] Now that they have all the accounts, they could simply tell you who's not paying. [00:06:10] Then our code enforcement could respond to that and then we could go ahead at that point [00:06:16] if you're not paying for required garbage pickup, then you could deal with it from that [00:06:21] end and then you could get into the fine. [00:06:24] We do have ways to deal with that. [00:06:26] I think that would be more sensible than trying to get into the collection end of things. [00:06:31] Because as you see, it's kind of precarious and we don't even know all the different variables [00:06:36] of how you came up with $156,000. [00:06:39] I think that was said. [00:06:40] We don't really know how much of that was late fees, how much of that was not, you know, [00:06:45] we don't know it all. [00:06:46] So to try and weigh it out, you know, it gets a little complicated at best. [00:06:52] Thank you. [00:06:53] Lisa Tinker, 7-0. [00:06:54] I don't have Lisa. [00:06:55] If you want to just wait one second while we. [00:06:56] Sorry. [00:06:57] Time's up. [00:06:58] Thank you. [00:06:59] Okay. [00:07:00] Thank you. [00:07:01] Okay. [00:07:02] Thank you. [00:07:03] Thank you. [00:07:04] Thank you. [00:07:05] Thank you. [00:07:06] Thank you. [00:07:07] Thank you. [00:07:08] Thank you. [00:07:09] Thank you. [00:07:10] Thank you. [00:07:11] Thank you. [00:07:12] Thank you. [00:07:13] Thank you. [00:07:15] Okay. [00:07:16] I don't have a problem with adding delinquent bills to the tax roll. [00:07:19] My concern is we're just coming up to a year that we've had this in place. [00:07:25] At the work session, we admitted there was a problem with the billing system. [00:07:28] I know you're talking about door hangers. [00:07:30] I work from home. [00:07:32] Several of my neighbors had them put on their doors today. [00:07:34] I am taking care of and picking up the mail for a neighbor who's in the hospital. [00:07:38] He got a tag on his door. [00:07:40] He was not on the list for the work session for delinquent accounts. [00:07:43] I don't know why he got it. [00:07:44] Obviously, he's in the hospital. [00:07:45] I'm not going to talk to him about it. [00:07:47] But my concern is can we ensure that the billing system is accurate before we put it, add it [00:07:53] to their taxes? [00:07:56] And even if adding it to the taxes, you're going to add it in August, you're not going [00:07:59] to collect that until next April. [00:08:01] So there's got to be some better way of getting the money to the garbage men that like that [00:08:07] they deserve. [00:08:08] You know, I don't agree that we should have to pay the city. [00:08:11] I think paying J.D. Parker was great. [00:08:14] We've had them ever since we moved into the house. [00:08:16] They're a fantastic service, now WastePro. [00:08:18] You know, adding it to the water bill, we voted, you guys had voted on doing that. [00:08:23] It's not on the water bill. [00:08:24] It's on a separate bill. [00:08:25] You know, I had my neighbors call me the other day because they got a notice from the city [00:08:28] that they didn't pay it, but they've got two different bills. [00:08:30] They can't figure out which is which. [00:08:32] I don't know why, but they couldn't figure it out. [00:08:35] And these are younger people. [00:08:37] I'm sure a lot of these older people are getting these two bills. [00:08:39] They look the same. [00:08:41] I've already paid this. [00:08:42] They're putting it in the garbage. [00:08:44] There's got to be a way. [00:08:45] You know, we know exactly how much it is. [00:08:47] Divide it by 12. [00:08:48] Simple math. [00:09:07] Are we allowed to speak on all four? [00:09:09] Yes. [00:09:11] There'll be an open comment. [00:09:12] Sure, then okay. [00:09:15] Okay, can we restart? [00:09:16] I just did. [00:09:17] Oh, well, I was still, I wasn't even. [00:09:19] I'll give you two seconds past it. [00:09:21] Angela Napolitano, 6013 Adams Street and 5805 Illinois. [00:09:26] So, this is about the delinquency. [00:09:29] I pay my bills, but what about when the service is delinquent? [00:09:32] Because I haven't been here in a year. [00:09:34] I haven't been here since Bertell was sworn in. [00:09:39] But anyhow, I'm not prepared for this. [00:09:42] I just heard all this hoopla going on that you guys wanted to throw on people's tax bills, [00:09:47] which I think is despicable. [00:09:50] But I'm the problem resident that had the two houses, the two properties, [00:09:56] that there was supposed to be a committee that was going to talk about that, [00:09:59] but that was never discussed. [00:10:01] I just got a little blip from Debbie Manz in an email. [00:10:06] So, there was no special for anybody that had two dwellings on one parcel. [00:10:10] But getting back to the delinquency, I'm not delinquent on my bills, thank God. [00:10:14] My children are grown and they take care of themselves. [00:10:17] I would have probably been delinquent when I was raising them by myself. [00:10:21] But for months, I'd watch the trucks go up and down the road, these poor guys, [00:10:27] and my garbage would sit there for days, maggots, stinking, literally. [00:10:34] Where I'd call J.D. Parker, [00:10:36] Hey, why don't you call us during our hours, your office hours? [00:10:40] I'm at work, I don't have a doorbell ring. [00:10:42] They actually told me, check your doorbell ring. [00:10:45] And if the truck doesn't go by, I'm on my phone when I'm at work supervising. [00:10:50] The delinquency is the delinquency of my service, [00:10:54] that I had to contact Jeff Olds several times, [00:10:57] because I'm billed twice, and I wasn't even getting garbage picked up once a week, [00:11:02] let alone twice a week. [00:11:07] Does anybody else would like to speak on this? [00:11:20] Peter Romato, 6100 River Road. [00:11:22] Simple question, why can't you put a lien on the property? [00:11:26] That's what billing it to the property owner is all about. [00:11:31] I'm sorry? [00:11:32] That's what billing it to the property owner is all about. [00:11:35] If they're delinquent, rather than putting it on their taxes, [00:11:38] why can't you just put a lien on their property? [00:11:43] That's it. Something to consider. [00:11:46] Thank you. [00:11:56] All right. [00:11:57] I want to emphasize early on, as I often do with these topics... [00:12:00] Please identify yourself and where you live. [00:12:02] ...by 6013 Adams Street. [00:12:04] I want to emphasize early on, as I often do with the topics of these discussions, [00:12:07] that we have much to celebrate in this city, [00:12:09] and I ask the City Council to hear this community [00:12:11] so that we may celebrate the spirit of democracy [00:12:14] Last year, we had a dozen meetings on the issue [00:12:17] of moving the New Port Richey Single Hauler Waste Collection, [00:12:20] including one where Councilman Altman [00:12:22] didn't just oppose parts of the plan, [00:12:24] but explicitly stated he felt ignored by his colleagues. [00:12:27] Mr. Butler has also raised concern about the practice, [00:12:29] as did much of the public. [00:12:31] Let me say, it isn't the vocal locals who are making home [00:12:33] not feel like home anymore. [00:12:35] I'm going to get there. It's literally coming up. [00:12:37] We were told moving to a single hauler system [00:12:39] would ease the burden on our roads [00:12:41] as a main justification for why people couldn't [00:12:43] get the service they were satisfied with. [00:12:45] So why has the Council since proposed more multifamily homes, [00:12:47] which would put dozens of additional cars [00:12:49] on an already burning Grand Boulevard? [00:12:51] The reasons given for single hauler contradicts [00:12:53] the obvious effects of this city's growth agenda. [00:12:55] The City finds the time to give a quarter-million-dollar [00:12:57] development grant to the Mayor's landlord [00:12:59] whose studio apartments by the lake cost 50% [00:13:01] of a teacher's pre-tech salary, but still bills [00:13:03] fellow Councilman Butler for a property [00:13:05] which he has been displaced from since the hurricane. [00:13:07] If they're doing this to appear, [00:13:09] how many single mothers have a story similar to this? [00:13:11] I say this to cut through the excuses [00:13:13] the smoke screen deployed. [00:13:15] They have proven their own words false. [00:13:17] What this really is, is an attempt to kick out [00:13:19] snowbirds and vulnerable low-income residents [00:13:21] by preying on people with a sleight of hand. [00:13:23] Talking about the liens. [00:13:25] If you fall behind your bills, they'll put it up [00:13:27] for the auction so that the real players [00:13:29] in the city can snatch property as steel. [00:13:31] Just ask the City Manager how the Mayor's landlord [00:13:33] got the lakefront property at a tenth [00:13:35] from what the city paid for it. [00:13:37] These are the same people who are allowing [00:13:39] those who lose their home to enact their real agenda [00:13:41] which is remake the city in their image [00:13:43] and reward the corrupt and submissive. [00:13:45] These are the same people who wanted to tear down [00:13:47] the history of Schwedman and lost the contract [00:13:49] because they couldn't put community over commodity [00:13:51] even when given ideas to do both. [00:13:53] We notice that if they don't profit first, [00:13:55] they sabotage progress and blame the people. [00:13:57] Ironically, the city likes to highlight [00:13:59] the history of celebrities who were snowbirds [00:14:01] yet wants to tax today's snowbirds out of town. [00:14:03] One of the things that gave us history [00:14:05] is being discouraged and they're hoping [00:14:07] that we'll be the first in town. [00:14:09] In case we the people haven't been heard, [00:14:11] let me end with a reminder of our culture's [00:14:13] commencement ceremony. [00:14:15] We pledge allegiance to a symbol that [00:14:17] obliges us to meet tyrants with righteous independence. [00:14:19] History has already shown us what happens [00:14:21] when there is taxation without representation [00:14:23] and in fact it might be the most American response there is. [00:14:25] Show us that the glorious revolution [00:14:27] is possible here too. [00:14:29] Show us that we are the progress toward [00:14:31] because if we continue this path, [00:14:33] the history of inhumanity will be our burden [00:14:35] Thank you [00:14:41] If I have any more problems [00:14:47] Anybody else would like to speak? [00:14:49] Seeing no one else, we'll bring it back [00:14:51] for discussion and vote [00:14:55] I'll be happy to say a few words [00:15:00] And let me start by saying that the agenda is about the collection. [00:15:08] The opening discussion was about the service. [00:15:13] So, Mr. Mayor, if you're going to restrict folks to what's on the agenda, [00:15:20] then I would suggest to you that we should talk about what's on the agenda. [00:15:25] But that's not what this started out at. [00:15:27] This started out with an explanation of the value of the service, to which we have all agreed, [00:15:36] to which I have agreed, to a single hauler. [00:15:39] So, let's talk about the service and who this is for and the commentary about the amount [00:15:46] of money that's owed and the embarrassment to the management of not being able [00:15:51] to pay the hauler, because if this bill, and we're talking about the delinquency, [00:15:59] if this bill was on the water bill, it would not be subject to the lien provisions, [00:16:05] which was one of the arguments given, to not put it on there, [00:16:09] because we automatically lien utilities. [00:16:13] And someone stop me if I'm wrong, but I was the finance director here, [00:16:18] and I understand that the water bill is lienable, because there's debt on our sewer plant [00:16:25] and our water plant, and the government has said, [00:16:28] if you don't pay your water bill, it can be liened. [00:16:31] So, to the answer to the question, the garbage is not lienable. [00:16:38] However, when the city goes through a code enforcement action, [00:16:43] which another individual mentioned in terms of the delinquency, [00:16:46] we've been able to get the property appraiser to put those expenses on the tax bill. [00:16:54] So, I'm not a lawyer, but I am telling you that one of the arguments was [00:17:00] that someone could not pay their garbage, and we could not cut off their water because of it, [00:17:08] and so it could create a problem, a problem that doesn't exist, [00:17:13] but we have a big problem right now. [00:17:15] And I have asked, and I'm going to keep this on financial matters, I've asked for explanations, [00:17:22] which I've received none, no explanation of the cost that we think we would incur [00:17:29] by renters not paying their bill, because in Dade City, where they do have the garbage [00:17:37] on the water bill, if someone signs up for water, [00:17:42] they also pay an additional deposit for the garbage. [00:17:47] So, we don't have a deposit, I'm taking it, we're simply just billing. [00:17:52] So, we have no way to keep from losing money, but again, we lose nothing [00:18:00] because it's the garbage hauler that's getting the money when we collect it. [00:18:04] So, I did not see any penalty for us for not paying the garbage hauler. [00:18:08] I'm surprised they're sitting here willing to wait until next April to get the money they're due now, [00:18:14] because these delinquencies, if they're not paid, go on the tax bill in November. [00:18:19] If they're paid early, that's 4% that we don't get, and not to mention the other percentages. [00:18:25] So, when you talk about people wanting to know the numbers, [00:18:30] I've asked for the numbers, and I've not gotten them. [00:18:32] So, I'm going to make this real short and say, now we're six months away [00:18:37] from what we say is going to be a decision to put these delinquencies on there. [00:18:42] And on that list of 27% that I saw, unless it's different, unless we've expunged all [00:18:49] of those little $18 ones, because there's an awful lot of those, [00:18:55] what is the real number of delinquencies? [00:18:58] What is the real number of purpose for them? [00:19:01] We have six months to try to figure out, A, what's wrong with our system, [00:19:05] and we spent a good bit of time listening to you talk about cleaning it up and figuring it out. [00:19:11] The problem is, we only bill once a year, and so, how much money are we losing, [00:19:19] as in Dixie and Mai's house that came on in March, [00:19:24] but the property appraiser still calls it a vacant home until the next year, [00:19:29] at which point it takes another nine months for it to get assessed [00:19:34] and to become shown as a home on the tax bill. [00:19:37] So, the whole mathematical issue makes me crazy. [00:19:44] It's not a good way to do things. [00:19:49] And it's not us that's losing money, because we're not obligated [00:19:54] to pay the hauler any more than we collect. [00:19:57] So, who are we working for? [00:20:00] If somebody leaves town and they want to turn off their water, they can also say, [00:20:08] I'm not going to do garbage anymore. [00:20:11] The haulers have done that traditionally when you went to them. [00:20:14] You say, I'm not going to be here, I don't want to pay you. [00:20:18] What we're saying is to every resident, even if they leave town for six months, [00:20:23] we're going to charge you for a full year. [00:20:25] Now, I read the op-ed from former Councilman Peters here who talked about that and said, [00:20:33] you know, that it was big cities, big places that do this, [00:20:37] big smart communities that we want to look at, but they have their own garbage. [00:20:43] So, if we were in the business and we own the trucks and we wanted [00:20:48] to make sure everybody paid their fair share, I could live with that. [00:20:52] I mean, I think that makes sense. [00:20:54] But if we have a system that's already in place where residents have monthly service [00:20:59] and you don't need to say, hey, I'm going to renovate my place. [00:21:03] I'm going to get a, so what is the, what are these delinquencies? [00:21:09] And when we get ready to put them on the tax bill, [00:21:12] are we going to be sitting here as the board of adjustments? [00:21:17] Are we going to be listening to everybody? [00:21:19] Because right now, I'm ready to take anybody who had a hurricane problem [00:21:24] and get them off the delinquency and say, we're not going to charge you. [00:21:28] And the waste company doesn't have a job to do, [00:21:31] so why should we pay them for every house in town? [00:21:35] I mean, who are we working for? [00:21:37] The residents. [00:21:39] And it's no skin off of the haulers who have a good reputation, who we like. [00:21:45] And their fee may be higher because they don't have as many, they don't have [00:21:53] to have as many, they're calculating 365 days a year of service to every house. [00:22:00] But it just, it doesn't happen that way. [00:22:02] And we can't adjust it during the course of a year. [00:22:05] I've had the right to the property tax collector to change problems when they occur [00:22:12] and then we have to send them a check or, it's a confusing mess. [00:22:19] And it's not a mess of major issues. [00:22:23] It's a mess of little, small bills, but they're not small to the residents. [00:22:28] So I am not opposed to putting the delinquencies on the tax roll if there was a way [00:22:35] to make sure that they were due, but I think if you get one yes vote out of me, [00:22:42] it'll be this first resolution, because I can't support the second one. [00:22:47] And I can't put it on the tax roll as a course of normal business. [00:22:53] We do this with code enforcement. [00:22:54] If we have someone who doesn't pay, we can't collect it. [00:22:57] We get it over with, get our money, give it to the haulers, because they did the job. [00:23:02] I'm okay with that. [00:23:04] So don't misunderstand my vote on this. [00:23:07] I will support this particular motion, but don't misunderstand me. [00:23:14] This is not the way to be billing. [00:23:17] Thank you for your extending time to me, Mr. Mayor. [00:23:21] Do you want to add anything more? [00:23:24] Yes, I will speak to the delinquencies, too, staying on the topic, [00:23:28] and I'll share my comments related to the single waste hauler [00:23:32] and that system for the next discussion topic. [00:23:37] Regarding the delinquencies, it is, yeah, thank you, Councilman Altman, [00:23:42] for highlighting the fact that I was one of the houses that was completely wiped [00:23:47] out during the hurricane, and I remember during our demo process watching the J.D. [00:23:54] Parker truck go right by my house, because we had to have it picked up by the city, [00:23:58] and then had a private dump pick up the rest of the construction materials, [00:24:03] and waved to the guys, because we're familiar with them, and they do a phenomenal job. [00:24:07] I love the history of the J.D. Parker company being here and so local. [00:24:11] And then to learn that I had been getting charged every month for a service [00:24:16] that I watched go by since October, and realizing that that's probably quite a few [00:24:22] of the people listed on the delinquency, and being told tonight, and having it, [00:24:26] and I'm going to characterize it this way, because I took it, you've had almost four weeks, [00:24:32] I mean, let's go back to October, you've had several months now to figure [00:24:36] out where these delinquencies are coming from, and the best we could offer [00:24:39] to the public was a myriad of reasons. [00:24:43] A myriad of reasons as to why we have delinquencies. [00:24:46] That's what we offer in terms of transparency to the public. [00:24:50] To me, that's unacceptable. [00:24:51] We took on the burden of collecting the bill. [00:24:55] That's our only, I mean, to Councilman Altman's point, we're not delivering the service. [00:25:00] We have no part to play in this service. [00:25:04] It is still being done privately. [00:25:06] The only difference now is that we are a middleman collecting the payment. [00:25:10] That is the only difference now. [00:25:12] We are an administrator of a payment, and we have the audacity in our role [00:25:16] as the administrator of the payment to tell the public, we don't know. [00:25:20] We don't know what the delinquencies represent. [00:25:22] That's what you guys get out of us. [00:25:25] Our job is to collect the payment, and we're telling you, [00:25:27] we don't know why that money's delinquent. [00:25:32] To me, if we were being honest with ourselves, [00:25:35] because we can go through this list of reasons, and I'm going to. [00:25:37] I'm going to go list item by item as to why we say that this service is necessary in the city. [00:25:44] I'm going to do that on the next agenda item. [00:25:46] But sticking to delinquencies, if our only job is to administer and take in the payment, [00:25:52] and we can't explain to the public why we can't do that, then we failed at our job, [00:25:56] and it's time to give it back to the public to pay for themselves. [00:25:59] Because they were doing a darn good job, and where they were falling short, well, congratulations. [00:26:04] We have a great code enforcement department, and they can do their job of dealing [00:26:08] with the unfair illegal dumping, because we do have that problem, too. [00:26:12] But that's our job as a city. [00:26:14] That's why the taxpayers pay for code enforcement. [00:26:18] They did not ask us. [00:26:19] There was no referendum on this. [00:26:21] There was no initiative ballot. [00:26:22] Nobody in this city asked us to do this. [00:26:26] So I don't know where we got the direction from. [00:26:29] And to Councilman Altman's point, I'm surprised they're sitting here. [00:26:33] I'm not surprised they're sitting here. [00:26:35] They bidded on this. [00:26:37] They chose to hold the hand of the city and go down this path, too. [00:26:40] They might have not sat in the workshops, but they could have sat and listened to our concerns [00:26:45] over the risk of there not being billing. [00:26:48] They chose to sign the paperwork. [00:26:51] They knew this was going to happen. [00:26:52] I'm sure they knew that eventually we were going to try to put it on the taxes. [00:26:56] But I'll have you know, not only am I going to be voting against this one, [00:26:59] I'll be voting against the next one, too, and the next two after that. [00:27:04] Because they know what they were doing. [00:27:05] They know what they were getting into. [00:27:07] And we can put on this game that we have to rush to fix this catastrophe of a problem. [00:27:13] But it isn't. [00:27:15] Give it back to the people where it belongs. [00:27:17] And when there's a delinquency, they can address it, because that's their job. [00:27:26] I'll just say that I will. [00:27:31] I'm not going to tolerate that tonight. [00:27:33] I will ask you to leave. [00:27:35] I will be voting for this resolution, because I do think that we have to do something [00:27:40] with our fiduciary responsibility. [00:27:41] We need to make sure that these delinquencies are paid. [00:27:44] And I do think that they should be put on the tax bill to ensure that the homeowner then gets it paid [00:27:49] and can collect it if they have tenants. [00:27:53] I think that that's what's resolved the issue of us not having trash all over the city, [00:27:58] is that we've picked up everybody's trash, versus people that didn't want to pay for trash [00:28:03] and they put it in the corner. [00:28:05] I watched somebody throw a whole bag out of the car right on Grand Boulevard, you know, [00:28:09] and they have trash service and they're still throwing it out. [00:28:12] But I do think that if we know that they haven't paid their bills [00:28:16] and we double check before we put it on there, but I do think that that's the right thing to do. [00:28:21] Yeah, I'm going to stick to what item we're talking about here for this one. [00:28:25] And I think this is the best way to do it. [00:28:28] You know, we're able to try to collect until that time and then whatever is left, [00:28:32] we can put on the tax roll. [00:28:34] So I think this is the best way to handle this item here. [00:28:37] Do I have a recommendation? [00:28:38] Do I need a motion? [00:28:41] I'll make a motion. [00:28:43] I'll second. [00:28:44] All those in favor, signify. [00:28:46] You want to say something else? [00:28:47] Yeah. [00:28:48] Okay. [00:28:49] I know we don't follow Robert's rules too well, but under Robert's rules, [00:28:53] nothing is official until a motion is made and the discussion under the motion is. [00:28:57] Go ahead. [00:28:57] Go ahead. [00:28:58] Okay, thank you. [00:29:02] The only way that I will support this motion is that we have some kind of acknowledgment [00:29:11] of the fact that we're not going to bill all of these bills. [00:29:16] In other words, we have to relieve the bills of people. [00:29:19] We have to have a, I don't want to put Bertell Butler's or anyone else on the tax roll [00:29:27] who hasn't paid, and the rules that you have really cause me trouble [00:29:31] because the rules are not being, you know, I'm not getting the follow-up. [00:29:37] So I'm going to go ahead and just leave it at that and say I'm going to join Bertell on this [00:29:42] because there's been no discussion about, oh, I feel bad about the people that don't have it. [00:29:47] We talk over here, we say things, and then majority rules, and we come back with, you know, [00:29:55] a resolution six months ahead of time. [00:29:57] So I don't know if there's a deadline or not, but. [00:30:00] I think I'll keep my I'm going to join Mr. Butler on this vote. Thank you, sir [00:30:07] Mr. Mayor Robertson's order calls for the motion in the second to have first [00:30:15] Yeah, I I would [00:30:17] Just add on to that to [00:30:20] Well, actually, I'll save my I appreciate you councilman boss save my comments for the next motion to keep it on topic [00:30:27] Mr. Mayor if I can just interject [00:30:30] Is [00:30:31] The vote you're taking tonight on these two resolutions is to express your intent to put it on the tax bill [00:30:38] There are subsequent votes where you get into the exact amounts that will be put on the tax bill. So that's when [00:30:45] Councilman Altman's issue could be and you know your personal issue Bertel good councilman Butler could be addressed [00:30:52] So those we will bring those back to you for further discussion about things like that [00:30:57] To make sure that you're comfortable with the final numbers that are put on with the additional collection that hopefully will occur in the interim [00:31:09] Two points on that one [00:31:11] There will be no advocacy meet for me whatsoever for a personal opt-out or exclusion [00:31:17] It would be based on those just to clarify. I know that's not what you're insinuating [00:31:22] To [00:31:23] And way more importantly our workshop called for that [00:31:27] And so you can clarify now that this is just us showing intent [00:31:31] but councilman Altman spent a decent amount of time talking about opt-outs and [00:31:35] That conversation and he did so on my behalf and on the behalf of some of the hurricane [00:31:40] Those the devastating hurricane and he spoke on a myriad of topics that night and we just recycled what we did during the workshop [00:31:48] Is what I felt like that presentation was and so I see councilman Altman's point in [00:31:53] Wanting more of a conversation because we did give that direction during the workshop and we were told and the mayor [00:32:00] I don't want to quote. I'm not going to try to quote you but someone on this side [00:32:04] Said well that it'd be a slither of a opt-out and I just want to know what that looked like and that wasn't presented [00:32:11] tonight, so even if I was on the side of [00:32:13] Putting this on I wouldn't have voted for it for the same reason that we didn't break down what this means or what it looks [00:32:19] like so [00:32:20] To me, we could have had a conversation tonight about that breakdown and the opt-outs and we didn't we that was not in the staff's [00:32:27] Conversation I thought it took up a decent amount of our workshop. So [00:32:34] Yes, I think I think what what the attorney is trying to say is that we'll have an opportunity to to talk about that and [00:32:41] You know people in your situation and other things and and getting off this subject here, but [00:32:48] There I think there will be an opportunity to opt out, you know with notice. So [00:33:02] And I'd like to first address [00:33:05] a question raised [00:33:07] Or a comment made by Councilman Altman in respect to the fact that we're not giving him an answer about renters not [00:33:15] paying the tax bills and what the [00:33:17] Situation is related to that [00:33:20] I'm sorry, not tax bills solid waste bills [00:33:22] We don't issue bills in the name of renters on any solid waste bills as all to directly to the property owners [00:33:30] so there really isn't any financial implication other than [00:33:34] I'm sure there's property owners that make deals with their runners and say you pay the bill [00:33:39] but we don't issue any in the name of of renters and [00:33:44] I want to at least make the point that we do have an opt-out [00:33:52] Opportunity for folks and that's the vacation opt-out and I'm I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for [00:33:58] It sounds more like the hurricane relief that we're looking for and I know I had a conversation at least with [00:34:04] Councilman Butler about that so that he could get his service [00:34:08] Turned off as at his home, which I know he didn't take advantage of [00:34:12] but it was an opportunity made available and [00:34:18] We did have some people take advantage of it, but we did not put the form online and that's something that [00:34:25] I [00:34:26] Had a conversation with miss done about and we are getting that online and we'll make it [00:34:33] retroactive [00:34:35] The other thing is I don't think it's as absurd as what was presented [00:34:41] Not to know all of the answers of why people don't pay their bills [00:34:46] I know that quarterly bills are harder to keep track of for some people. I know some people don't have the funds [00:34:53] I know some people don't think that you know [00:34:57] A $50 bill is significant enough and they wait till it's a little bit more [00:35:01] I know some people like to pay it on an annual basis. There are there are myriads of reasons that people don't pay bills [00:35:09] But I can't account for everybody's personal finances [00:35:13] In the city certainly of all of the people that are responsible to pay their bills and nor will I ever represent that I can [00:35:22] Respectfully, it's not our job to try to figure out how someone prefers to pay their bills if as a personal [00:35:31] Mayor I call the question [00:35:34] Also just confirmed from the record the motion [00:35:40] You made the motion right your motion is for approval, correct? Correct. And the second is for the approval. Thank you [00:35:47] I just want to get that on the record [00:35:49] All those in favor [00:35:53] 2025 dash 12 signify by aye

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3. 4.b

   Resolution No. 2025-13: Intent Resolution to Use Uniform Method of Non-Ad Valorem Assessments - Solid Waste Collection Fees

   discussed

   Council considered Resolution 2025-13, an intent resolution to use the uniform method of collecting solid waste fees as non-ad valorem assessments on the property tax roll. After significant public opposition and divided council discussion, the item's outcome is not clearly stated in the available transcript portion.

   Ord. Resolution No. 2025-13

   📍6041 Florida Avenue📍6100 River Road📍6446 River Road📍6606 Crossbow Lane📍7017 Park Drive🏢Gulf Middle School🏢JD Parker🏢WastePro👤Altman👤Dunn👤John Cain👤Kelly👤Lisa Tinker👤Matt👤Mike Peters👤Murphy👤Peter Amato👤Ray Dunn#Resolution No. 2025-13#Section 197.3632 Florida Statutes#Single waste hauler system#Solid Waste Collection Fees#Uniform Method of Non-Ad Valorem Assessments

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   [00:36:06] Resolution number 20 25 13 intent resolution to use a uniform method of non [00:36:12] ad valorem assessment solid waste collection fees [00:36:16] This is resolution number 2025 dash [00:36:20] Council the city of New Port Richey, Florida [00:36:22] providing for the city's intent to use the uniform method of non ad valorem assessments to collect a solid waste collection service fee against all [00:36:29] Real property within the city for residential curbside solid waste collection services within the city pursuant to section [00:36:36] one nine seven point three six three two [00:36:38] Florida statutes for 2025 and each their year thereafter until discontinued as provided herein [00:36:46] as [00:36:48] Was indicated [00:36:51] Earlier tonight, it's believed that [00:36:56] establishing the fees associated with solid waste pickup and [00:37:05] Transportation services would be more effective if it were administered through a non ad valorem assessment [00:37:12] Are the staff's recommendation to you is that you approve the resolution which approves [00:37:20] authorizing the property appraiser to place the collection fees on the tax rolls and additionally [00:37:27] authorizes the tax collector [00:37:30] To collect the fees in conjunction with the collection of property taxes [00:37:36] and levies [00:37:38] The fee the assessments against the properties and [00:37:47] The reason that we're doing this is because we believe that it is a good method by which [00:37:55] to [00:37:56] improve our collection of these fees [00:38:00] And if you have questions either mrs. Dunn or myself are prepared to respond to them. Do we have any public input? [00:38:09] You [00:38:19] Lisa Tinker seven zero one seven Park Drive. I [00:38:24] Have I have a couple of questions [00:38:26] First question is I know the county charges for you for them to collect the money for the city [00:38:32] Who's gonna pay that our art? [00:38:34] We already know our trash bill is going to go up 6% every year for the next five years [00:38:38] Is it going to go up 8% the first year because you have to pay the county to collect that money? [00:38:44] Second one. So if I pay [00:38:47] my bill in November [00:38:49] Say the whole city everybody pays their bill you get half a million dollars [00:38:53] Do you give that to JD Parker right away? Or do you put that in an account and draw interest? I [00:38:58] I [00:38:59] Really don't think the idea of putting it on our taxes is a great idea [00:39:05] I've I'm responsible for my garbage. I pay for my garbage [00:39:08] You know, one of the reasons you guys wanted to do it because people are dumping things around the city [00:39:13] I have a friend who's building a house in the city [00:39:15] He's constantly getting from code enforcement because people are dumping behind his house. I'm not sure that resolved the issue [00:39:20] I don't think a lot of the people dumping in the city are necessarily city residents or they have stuff that [00:39:27] JD Parker doesn't pick up. So they're just gonna dump it wherever they feel like any place that looks empty to them [00:39:33] I don't think adding it to the tax rolls is a great idea [00:39:37] I understand collecting the delinquent our collection rate from the last workshop. You had is 30 [00:39:44] 30% word below 20 JD Parker's was only 25% [00:39:49] So we're definitely missing something in the billing system. Like I said, we're not even here for a year yet [00:39:55] Next this weekend will be a year that we're doing it. The billing system isn't quite right [00:40:00] It kind of reminds me, you know when my son was born he was in the hospital [00:40:04] I get a bill three years later from all children's. I'm like what in the world same kind of mess up here [00:40:09] We need to get the billing straight and for only having it in place for a year to all of a sudden in my opinion [00:40:17] Decide oh now we're gonna put it on your taxes at least give us that first five years with JD Parker [00:40:22] You know, the decision then was if you don't like JD Parker, we can get rid of them once you've already paid them [00:40:28] How can you you can't? [00:40:37] Peter Amato 6100 River Road. Thank you councilman Altman for your explanation and I appreciate that [00:40:46] If I go out of town as councilman Altman had talked about and I'm out of town first in a period of time [00:40:51] I'm paying for something that I'm not using [00:40:54] To put it on my taxes. That's an unfair assessment and [00:40:59] if from a service standpoint if I have a problem with the vendor and [00:41:04] They're already paid for and they know they're already paid for what's my leverage? [00:41:08] I have no leverage to go back to a company to say hey, you're not doing something that you should be doing [00:41:13] Do I come to you? [00:41:14] Do I wait for oh? [00:41:17] Forgive me for a minute. Mr. Murphy by [00:41:20] Chuckling at you saying yes that you would take care of it [00:41:24] Government seems to be the last [00:41:26] Solution for anything to be done, right? [00:41:28] So you're taking that away from me as a consumer because that's what I am to JD Parker [00:41:33] I am a consumer and if you take that that position away from me [00:41:38] I no longer have leverage as a consumer [00:41:40] Now I have a third party that I have to deal with with in honesty [00:41:44] You have other things to deal with I'm the bottom of the barrel to deal with any kind of problems that are there [00:41:50] So that's an unfair burden to put it on our taxes [00:41:54] Especially if myself we have property in the mountains we go for four months [00:41:59] Sometimes they're in the summer. I would turn it off now [00:42:02] I'm paying for something that I don't have they don't have the ability to use. Thank you for your time [00:42:10] Anybody else like to speak [00:42:15] Mm-hmm [00:42:17] John Cain 60 [00:42:20] 6041 floor he started that clock awful fast 6041, Florida Avenue [00:42:25] You know, the thing is if you put on the tax rolls, there's there's a lot on the tax roll [00:42:30] So you have people that own vacant lots on the tax rolls. They pay taxes [00:42:35] It's good. They're gonna end up getting charged. It always happens that way. Okay, you have people that have [00:42:41] Homes that they may decide to close up they may [00:42:45] Go home to New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, wherever and end up in the hospital not come back for three years [00:42:52] Do they end up being the link? What why are we charging them for service that they may not use? [00:43:00] There's a lot of scenarios we could go by but it seems you know, you'll forgive me as a citizen [00:43:05] I got I got two representatives that seem to represent me and then I got three representatives that do [00:43:12] Standard-line voting and so we never get anywhere [00:43:15] But this is that's what this is supposed to be about [00:43:18] It's supposed to be about looking at all the variables and saying in all good conscience [00:43:24] I can't really do that because this is gonna hurt [00:43:28] constituents and [00:43:29] I owe them an obligation because I do take an oath and so I have to honor the oath and even though the idea might [00:43:35] Be a good idea. It's not a complete idea [00:43:37] It really isn't a complete idea and and why would we as a city if you have any idea what this city has to do? [00:43:47] Why would you want this additional thing? It's always baffled me why you would want this [00:43:54] You have parks you have public works. You have stormwater you have you have so I mean it just boggles [00:44:02] How we function and and now you want to throw you want to throw something else on that? [00:44:07] You're gonna be responsible for a private entity. There's no way you could justify it. Okay, you could vote [00:44:14] Yes, you could do it all the time [00:44:16] But you really don't have a justification [00:44:18] Because you don't have the total picture and if you don't have the total picture, then you have an obligation to do the right thing [00:44:26] Thank you [00:44:29] You have any else like to speak [00:44:50] Ray done 6606 cross bowling to go back to the beginning of this to pick one [00:44:58] Provider I think was great because I [00:45:00] five or six trucks go down my street every day. I've had JD Parker for 25 [00:45:04] years and never had a problem with it but to go to one I think is a good idea. [00:45:07] I've heard people out there say they paid a lot less with their other [00:45:10] provider but I always paid with JD Parker. I think put it on the water bill [00:45:15] is an easy solution and I can't see putting on a tax bill and I if I was JD [00:45:21] Parker I wouldn't want to be paid every year I would want to be paid every month [00:45:24] not every year so why go through the trouble putting on a tax bill which [00:45:29] they won't get their money till March, April, May or at all. I just think put it [00:45:34] on a water bill is an easy solution and that's my vote. [00:45:39] Mike Peters 6446 River Road. Good evening mayor, council members, city [00:46:00] manager. Most of you probably know how I feel about this already you know when it [00:46:06] first came up I was sitting up there and councilman Allman I'm glad to see [00:46:11] you finally came around to understand that the single hauler was the best [00:46:14] method. Pardon me you're out of order sir. Okay. You're out of order. So the [00:46:20] situation is is that the benefits of single hauler was outlined one was left [00:46:29] out was important was that what we've enjoyed since that is is a basically a [00:46:34] 7% reduction in the cost and any any future increase would be compounded on [00:46:42] that so that was a great great thing as well so good service at a lower cost. At [00:46:48] that time also you might recall that I didn't support the idea of putting on [00:46:52] the tax bill. A couple a lot of reasons for that it's it's number one is the [00:47:00] quarterly billing is is a mess. Most people pay their bills on a monthly [00:47:04] basis. If it's on a tax bill they're gonna pay it monthly. They're gonna pay [00:47:08] it within their rent because the landlords can adjust that. It's a fixed [00:47:11] expected known cost that's going to be coming on. If you pay it on a mortgage [00:47:16] if you have a mortgage it's gonna be escrowed so your bills is paid monthly [00:47:20] so it's no fuss no mess easy what everybody is used to. 70% of the people [00:47:26] in the city or more probably either on rent or have a mortgage so they're [00:47:31] gonna be paying on a monthly basis so this would be easier for them. Everybody [00:47:35] needs to pay be fair whether you use a lot of trash or you don't use a lot of [00:47:41] solid waste you benefit from the fact that we live in a clean city it all gets [00:47:46] picked up on a reasonable way. This is you know of all the all the utilities [00:47:51] water varies in amounts and usage quite a bit so does electricity you know we [00:47:58] can't we as a city our size we can't create a water we can't create and run [00:48:04] an electric company. We don't want to create and run a solid waste services [00:48:11] the public sector can do it cheaper. This is all about economics by having a [00:48:18] single hauler and building it this way they're guaranteed to get their money [00:48:23] it's we're guaranteed we won't have a loss in money we can as the middleman we [00:48:30] can make the contract and and make it economically feasible with a city of our [00:48:36] size and so forth if they don't if they don't perform properly we've got a great [00:48:43] proposal to bid out and get a better or a lower rate. We'll pay less it's all [00:48:50] about economics is what this boils down to. [00:48:56] Anybody else would like to speak? [00:49:00] Discussion and motion? You want to start Matt? [00:49:13] So yeah I mean it's definitely I think as far as the collection process it's [00:49:18] cheaper it's gonna you know make sure that everybody is paying into it our [00:49:24] provider will get paid a couple things that were brought up talking about that [00:49:30] there's the but miss man's talked about the vacation exclusion I know you're [00:49:35] talking about you have another home so if you if you're able to give notice if [00:49:41] I understand you give notice what you're able to opt out for anything over over [00:49:45] three months so you'll be able to do that as far as enforcement for for [00:49:57] complaints or that kind of thing that they have a contract with the whole [00:50:01] city and just to put it bluntly they got a pretty good gig they they've got a [00:50:06] whole city they can deal with it's a lot easier for them and if we have [00:50:12] complaints and you come to the city and you got a complaint we're gonna go to [00:50:16] them and they're gonna listen because they want to continue to have this [00:50:20] contract they want to continue to have this good gig here in the city all to [00:50:24] themselves so they're very motivated to comply and give good service with that [00:50:30] said so far even being the first year very little complaints so far with their [00:50:36] service I dealt with one of them and it was resolved right away so I don't I [00:50:42] don't see any issues there but I know it's you know you know you know kind of [00:50:49] laughable government government they'll take care of it for you well this [00:50:52] instance we have a lot of leverage on them they want it they want to keep this [00:50:55] this contract they want to keep this this this good gig they got the thing [00:51:04] thrown around about letting them collect for it maybe that's something [00:51:09] you could go back and negotiate but I guarantee our bills gonna go up you're [00:51:13] gonna pay more because that's the service we offer to them to keep the [00:51:16] bill low for our residents so way we're doing is making your trash bill as low [00:51:23] as it can be I just think at this point we we've tried the other other way it [00:51:30] didn't work there's issues we have the opt-out for people that vacation this is [00:51:37] the best method I see right now in order to do it really yeah so I do think it's [00:51:44] more economical to do it this way too and I do want to say to to remember who [00:51:50] was this said getting their taxes paid and paying them up front your taxes are [00:51:56] at the end of the year so J.D. Parker wouldn't be getting paid until they [00:52:01] provide a service that whole year they're not getting paid till after the [00:52:04] fact right so we know they're gonna provide that service because they [00:52:07] haven't been paid for it till the end of the year so I think that that's gonna be [00:52:10] a benefit as well and I do think that it's fair that everybody pays their [00:52:14] share of it but that we have exceptions for those that are out of town for three [00:52:18] or more months for those that property that doesn't have a home on it for a [00:52:23] property you know that has if we have somebody that's got extenuating [00:52:27] circumstances we do have exceptions for that and I think that it's important for [00:52:30] everybody to keep that in mind too that there are those few exceptions and we [00:52:34] don't have a ton of those exceptions with the water bills now so we wouldn't [00:52:37] have a ton of those then either but it would be there and be available yeah [00:52:44] quite a few things I want to start by addressing a comment that was made that [00:52:50] we tried it the other way and clarify that it was John Henry Parker in 1949 [00:52:57] not the city of New Port Richey that tried it the original way and that was [00:53:02] the way where people had the choice they had the choice to make the decision of [00:53:06] whether they wanted someone else collecting their trash and dealing with [00:53:09] it they had the choice so our city didn't ordain any specific trash company [00:53:15] to start collecting trash it was the choice of the people and so we can try [00:53:21] to sit up here and claim that now we've created a system where the city is [00:53:24] involved and turn around and say this way didn't work so we need to go to a [00:53:29] different way but the reality was the system we had worked fine and we were [00:53:34] trying to paint this image that it's not working because of some perceived [00:53:39] benefits and I want to go through those the first was this idea that somehow by [00:53:45] going to a single waste hauler well wait point of order here because aren't we [00:53:49] just we're not talking about going to the first to one hauler that's already [00:53:52] been decided this is just about the billing correct and there was a [00:53:55] presentation on six different reasons why history get to where we were so I'd [00:54:00] like to address that so you want to continue doing what you called this [00:54:03] being incorrect you want to continue doing what you just said was [00:54:07] inappropriate but you want to continue to do that so the presentation was not [00:54:19] about John Henry Parker and the foundation of the privatization of trash [00:54:23] in our city history we are the history was on whether we should have a single [00:54:29] waste hauler and I'm going to speak to the points about single waste hauler [00:54:38] it was then did you stop the city manager from giving her presentation [00:54:43] mr. man I think she was wasn't just for us okay so I would like to contextualize [00:54:48] for the public one of the points that was made during the presentation was [00:54:56] about pavement and how the single waste hauler system is putting us in a better [00:55:01] position for our roads I was just at Gulf Middle School the other day at 6 [00:55:06] a.m. and saw a non JD Parker truck traveling down a city road they still [00:55:11] have to pass through our neighborhoods and I think we're putting too much [00:55:14] weight so to speak in saying that this has to do with our roadways because we [00:55:19] have a pretty decent road system here I mean the county is not doing a [00:55:23] phenomenal job but we do we have a phenomenal roadway system and so if we [00:55:27] had dilapidated roads then I could see the need for this swap and now the need [00:55:31] to Kelly mother said point now the need to figure out why we need to move to a [00:55:38] taxpayer based system but the reality is that that need is not there the other [00:55:44] point was I want to address the opt-outs and clarify that it wasn't just related [00:55:50] to the hurricane but there have been several people during public comment and [00:55:54] in private conversations who have brought up the need for I mean we want [00:55:57] to go towards a to use as a city and we want to go towards mother-in-law suites [00:56:02] and property owners who have several properties who may sit on the same lot [00:56:06] or nearby who consolidate their trash in a single place are we taxing each [00:56:11] individual property is there an opt-out where they can be exempt if they have [00:56:16] properties near each other they excuse me can prove that their trash is [00:56:22] consolidated at one home that's something I'd like to discuss further in [00:56:27] relationship to the opt-out the penalties that were brought up to me [00:56:33] that that's conversation that needs to be had to who's being penalized are we [00:56:36] waving at those penalties for certain people when we start to speak to the [00:56:40] intent behind some of the delinquencies and going forward what those penalties [00:56:44] look like if people aren't paying their taxes because reality is we know what's [00:56:48] going to happen if someone does not pay this lump sum once a year payment that [00:56:53] they now have for their trash they're gonna have a lien on their property [00:56:58] that's the position we're putting folks in there at the end of the day there [00:57:05] were two comments made that perfectly sum up what this is really about the [00:57:09] first comment was about the economics that's what this is is that nothing to [00:57:14] do with roads this has nothing to do with dumping this is about the economics [00:57:20] it's more economically feasible and financially beneficial for our city to [00:57:24] do this and one of the public comments tonight was about additions of fees I'll [00:57:28] give mrs. Dunn and the city manager credit right now you do have a cheaper [00:57:34] bill your bill is cheaper right now that that's a reality she showed me the data [00:57:39] your bill is 1% cheaper compared to last year's and you didn't get this the 6% [00:57:46] correct me if I'm wrong you didn't get the 6% increase but two things on that [00:57:50] you're about to get a 2% increase based on the county assessment there's no [00:57:55] saying for future increases now that's the city the city's job to do not your [00:58:00] decision to make with a private hauler where if they increase your bill you can [00:58:05] go with someone else that's lost now so this year you've saved 1% which [00:58:12] represents $2 next year that may not be the case or the year after that and now [00:58:20] you have no say if we put it on the tax bill you no longer have a say in your [00:58:28] trash service and quite frankly different people sign up for different [00:58:31] reasons someone on the commercial side may pay more for a different service so [00:58:37] we can't sit here if we're talking about quote-unquote the economics and [00:58:41] say that cheaper is always better there might be a trash company that someone [00:58:45] prefers and they'll pay more for that is their business not the government's [00:58:48] comment that was made up here is that they want to have this gig for [00:58:55] themselves [00:58:59] yes so you have the city side we want the economics and the other side is they [00:59:04] do have quote this gig for themselves now there is no opportunity for another [00:59:09] private company that could do a better job to get involved until we do the [00:59:13] bidding process again but we do this all around the state of Florida was the [00:59:19] response I got from the WastePro gentlemen we're not the state of Florida [00:59:25] we're not different cities we're our own city and to me you're gonna see the vote [00:59:32] up here and whether I hope someone up here has the courage to realize that [00:59:37] don't listen to the staff that says this is a chronic issue and if we don't [00:59:42] address this now we're gonna have a big problem and have the courage to realize [00:59:47] that if we vote no they're gonna find a solution and that solution will probably [00:59:51] be to go back to the system we had but if the courage is not up here for that [00:59:55] that's fine because I guarantee you there will be an opportunity for our [00:59:58] residents to eventually [01:00:00] vote on this at a public ballot where they have a decision to reverse back the old system. [01:00:05] So don't lose hope up here if, for some reason, we don't get the three votes. [01:00:10] You will have an opportunity to vote for this on a ballot of your choice. [01:00:14] All right, I'm going to look at what's on the order of business. [01:00:21] It's a resolution of intent to use the uniform method of non-advalorum assessment solid waste [01:00:27] collection. [01:00:28] What we don't see on this special meeting and what I haven't heard from you all, disappointingly, [01:00:34] is even a single peep of a word about the alternative method that I've been promoting. [01:00:40] So all that I've heard was, this is the best. [01:00:45] And to your credit, you believe that because you've been told by your manager that this [01:00:52] is the best. [01:00:53] And all I've asked for was some evidence, which I've received none. [01:00:57] And so if somebody is going to go off for four months next year, are they going to tell [01:01:04] us to change the assessment on the tax roll because they're going to be gone for four [01:01:10] months? [01:01:11] And what happens if they come back because there's a death in the family? [01:01:14] And so let me go back to a comment that was inappropriate, I think, but I wanted to clear [01:01:20] it up because I was for single trucks on the road system. [01:01:29] I had been the finance officer here and I had been in touch with all of the haulers [01:01:34] and they all had to pay us a franchise fee of 10%. [01:01:39] So we were making a fee for allowing them to serve in the city. [01:01:47] One of the problems was that we ended up with an audit and found out that we had more [01:01:52] money coming to us because we weren't able to monitor it without getting to the haulers [01:01:58] to find out whose houses were they at. [01:02:00] And with three or four, it's hard to know which ones are paying and which ones aren't. [01:02:06] It was almost impossible. [01:02:09] So the idea that we should have all of our residents who have houses and who are using [01:02:15] garbage to pay for garbage, I have always supported and I've always supported the idea [01:02:20] that only one truck should go up and down each street. [01:02:23] My theory, my plan, and I took it to the city manager when I was working for her, was, having [01:02:29] discussed it with the haulers, that we had a better chance of collecting our money on [01:02:35] our water bills because we know we're managing that process. [01:02:41] We already have people in place. [01:02:42] We send a bill out. [01:02:44] It doesn't cost us any more money to throw that on the bill. [01:02:49] There was a lot of discussion and there was testimony given to us that it was problematic [01:02:56] because the bills are cyclical. [01:02:58] So we couldn't just start it right at the same time, which is, for whatever reason, [01:03:04] not the case now. [01:03:06] But what has to happen now and what I will advocate for, no matter what happens today, [01:03:11] to our attorney's credit, he said, this is an approval of an intent. [01:03:18] So it doesn't even mean this is going to happen. [01:03:21] And so there is an election. [01:03:23] We have a candidate here who's watching what's going on and who will be happy to listen to [01:03:29] your opinions, I'm sure, as I will as we go through our process to become your leaders, [01:03:36] if I'm fortunate enough to win, to join my colleagues up here. [01:03:40] And then we'll have to decide what to do. [01:03:42] But what we can do, we can stop the leak. [01:03:45] We can turn the leak off and put it on the water bill now. [01:03:52] We don't need to ask anybody permission for that. [01:03:54] It hasn't been discredited. [01:03:57] There were two bullet points up there, good reason for, reason against. [01:04:02] Well, the community has a reason for, which is they don't want to be charged for a service [01:04:08] that they don't get. [01:04:10] We have a reason to do what we're doing. [01:04:13] So I'm going to defend us holding, us being the collector. [01:04:17] And our agreement does provide for us to have a collection allowance. [01:04:21] So we're making some money, and the deal we're in. [01:04:24] The problem was we spend over $100,000 on software. [01:04:28] We have hired an extra employee. [01:04:30] So when you start looking at all the costs the city has incurred, we're not making money, [01:04:35] first former deputy councilman, mayor. [01:04:39] We are losing money. [01:04:41] We're losing money. [01:04:42] They're not getting their money, and we're losing money because we've got a system that's [01:04:46] costing us more than what we're collecting from our assessment. [01:04:51] And we're proposing a program where we'll lose even more money because we've agreed [01:04:56] how much we're going to pay the hauler. [01:04:59] So to the point, if we want to get enough money to pay the hauler, we have to jack up [01:05:04] the price to take advantage of the discount we have to pay to the fourth party that's [01:05:10] going to be involved in getting their hands in this money. [01:05:13] So this is wrong all the way through. [01:05:16] It's not a hill I'm going to die on today. [01:05:19] I'm done. [01:05:20] I won't vote for it. [01:05:21] But I'm very disappointed that you're sitting up here with somebody who's doing this, and [01:05:26] you don't even give me the credit for knowing what I'm talking about. [01:05:32] And I'm sorry for that. [01:05:34] Because you've been given no evidence, and I haven't been given any evidence, that says [01:05:39] here's how much we'll make and cost if we do it this way, and here's how much we think [01:05:44] we're going to lose. [01:05:45] And maybe they're not all renters by the scofflaws that live in our city that we can't trust [01:05:52] enough that we have to put it on the tax bill, collect it once a year. [01:05:56] And the downside of that is that we get to make no adjustments, and we get to provide [01:06:02] less service, and we charge them for something that they may not need sometimes. [01:06:10] It's a fool's errand. [01:06:11] I'm going to vote against it. [01:06:12] I might just have one other question. [01:06:13] I think you said earlier that the individual renter is not charged, but the property owner [01:06:23] is charged. [01:06:24] The bill goes to the property owner. [01:06:25] For solid waste. [01:06:26] For solid waste. [01:06:27] But water bills can be in renters' names. [01:06:29] Yeah, so that's the situation I think we have here, is that if we're sending it with the [01:06:36] water bill, it's going to the renter who might have set up their own water. [01:06:40] The renter might set up his water, but the trash has actually been set up by the property [01:06:45] owner. [01:06:46] Is that correct? [01:06:47] The trash bill is currently always in the property owner's name. [01:06:49] Yeah, so I think that's some of the problem if we put the water bill and the trash bill [01:06:53] together, that one's going to the owner of the property, and one's going to the person [01:06:59] that set up the water. [01:07:00] It's part of a complication. [01:07:02] The other part of the complication is that we list on the water bill sanitary always [01:07:07] first and water always second, so when a payment is made, it's applied in that order [01:07:14] because we can lean for water, we can't lean for sanitary. [01:07:19] Okay, that's fine. [01:07:22] That's just maybe some of the reason that these bills are being sent to, and not getting [01:07:28] to the actual owner, where I think, in my opinion, if it went on the ad valorem tax, [01:07:33] they're very aware of that bill, they know they get that bill every year. [01:07:37] So that's why I kind of lean towards that one. [01:07:40] That's my opinion. [01:07:41] So, do we have a motion? [01:07:42] I was going to say one thing. [01:07:43] Go ahead. [01:07:44] I mean, I'm listening to, you know, Councilman Altman, and I don't take for granted his knowledge [01:07:50] or anything like that. [01:07:51] I asked many, many, many questions about the water bill, and I don't know, I kind of think [01:07:58] you kind of made the point is that we're spending a lot of extra money doing this. [01:08:03] The simplest way to get out of it and to save money is to put it on the tax roll, and then [01:08:08] as long as we can make the exclusions for the people that need it, then I don't see [01:08:13] an issue with it. [01:08:14] Why are we going to flip over to another system that may have issues and is going to cost [01:08:17] the city more money? [01:08:18] You know, to me, I mean, this doesn't make sense to do that. [01:08:24] That's just my opinion, but I don't think, I don't lessen your expertise at all, but [01:08:32] I have asked back and forth about it. [01:08:35] You're asking the wrong person. [01:08:38] Let's not fight over this. [01:08:39] I'm not, but it costs, the statement is not correct. [01:08:44] Okay. [01:08:45] Do I have any motion here? [01:08:49] It's on the floor already. [01:08:50] We don't have a motion. [01:08:51] We don't have a motion at this point. [01:08:52] Oh, there is? [01:08:53] We just had a discussion. [01:08:54] I thought there was. [01:08:55] Okay. [01:08:56] Do we have a motion? [01:08:57] I'll make a motion. [01:08:58] Do we have a second? [01:08:59] I'll second. [01:09:00] Do you have any other comments? [01:09:01] No, sir. [01:09:02] Seeing nothing else. [01:09:03] Mr. Mayor, if I could just again confirm that the motion is in favor of the maker of the [01:09:04] motion and the maker of the second. [01:09:05] Thank you. [01:09:06] Yes. [01:09:07] All those in favor, signify by aye. [01:09:08] Aye. [01:09:09] Those opposed. [01:09:10] The 3-2 vote. [01:09:11] Let me borrow your glasses. [01:09:12] Is there a local agreement between the city and the city council?

   This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

4. 4.c

   Interlocal Agreement between the City of New Port Richey and the Pasco County Property Appraiser RE: Solid Waste

   Council considered an interlocal agreement with the Pasco County Property Appraiser to place solid waste, yard debris, recyclable materials, and transportation service fees on tax bills via the uniform method of tax collection beginning October 2025. Public comment raised concerns about contract compliance and how the hauler is paid. A motion and second were made.

   • motion:Motion to approve entering into the interlocal agreement with the Pasco County Property Appraiser regarding placement of solid waste fees on tax bills. (none)

   📍6041 Florida Avenue📍6658 River Road🏢Pasco County Property Appraiser👤John Gillis👤John Kane👤Mrs. Dunn👤Pete#Resolution 2025-12#Resolution 2025-13#Solid waste collection fees#Uniform method of non-ad valorem assessment

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   [01:09:13] Yes, there is. [01:09:14] Okay. [01:09:15] Thank you. [01:09:16] Thank you. [01:09:17] Thank you. [01:09:18] Thank you. [01:09:19] Thank you. [01:09:20] Thank you. [01:09:21] Thank you. [01:09:22] Thank you. [01:09:23] Thank you. [01:09:24] Thank you. [01:09:25] Thank you. [01:09:26] Thank you. [01:09:27] Thank you. [01:09:28] Thank you. [01:09:29] Yes, there is a local agreement between the city of New Port Richey and Pasco County property [01:09:33] appraiser for the reference to the solid waste. [01:09:37] As indicated by title, the request is to enter into an interlocal agreement with the property [01:09:44] appraiser of Pasco County regarding the placement of fees for solid waste, yard, recyclable [01:09:51] materials and transportation services on the tax bills through the uniform method of tax [01:09:59] collection and Mrs. Dunn will present the agenda item. [01:10:04] As you're aware, the Florida statute provides the property appraiser the ability to include [01:10:08] fees which are not based on millage on the tax roll for collection of solid waste. [01:10:13] In that regard, earlier this evening, we considered two resolutions, Resolution 2025-12, which [01:10:19] is the intent resolution to use uniform method of non-ad valorem assessments to collect the [01:10:24] solid waste delinquencies. [01:10:25] The other resolution, Resolution 2025-13, is the intent resolution to use uniform method [01:10:31] of non-ad valorem assessment to collect the solid waste collection fees. [01:10:36] If approved, these resolutions would authorize the use of the uniform method of collecting [01:10:40] relating to solid waste, yard debris, residential recyclable materials, and the transportation [01:10:45] services. [01:10:46] The purpose of this agenda item is the subject to approve the resolution and relates to entering [01:10:53] into an agreement with the property appraiser in respect to this matter and thereby place [01:10:57] the fees on the tax bills in October of 2025. [01:11:00] A copy of the proposed agreement is attached for your review. [01:11:05] Staff recommends to approve entering into an interlocal agreement with the property [01:11:08] appraiser so in that respect to the placement of those fees associated with the pickup and [01:11:12] transportation of the solid waste. [01:11:15] Thank you. [01:11:18] Do we have any public comment? [01:11:25] I work for a bank and we have checks and balances and everything that we do has a legal and [01:11:38] a compliance component to ensure that we do not have discriminatory actions taken against [01:11:47] customers and your bank and everywhere else. [01:11:49] I see we have legal representation here. [01:11:52] Where is, do we have, are we required to have a compliance component to ensure that we do [01:11:59] not have discriminatory actions on all the items that we're discussing this evening? [01:12:07] John Kane, 6041 Florida Avenue. [01:12:20] I'm kind of curious, so we already have a contract, do we not with our hauler, an existing [01:12:28] contract? [01:12:30] Do we pay them, I get a, I don't have a problem with the bill. [01:12:35] I get my bill in the mail, I pay it, it's quarterly, do they get paid quarterly? [01:12:44] Every time do we pay, then do they get paid? [01:12:47] I know I'm asking questions, but if anybody knows, I'd appreciate an answer. [01:12:54] So I guess nobody knows. [01:12:56] So being we don't know these capital things, they are kind of important, that's a good [01:13:06] reason to be not voting yes. [01:13:08] But aside from that, I guess if they are getting paid a certain way now, they're not going [01:13:13] to be getting paid that way if we move it to taxes. [01:13:17] Then their payment, and my curiosity, which would be a legal question, is being we're [01:13:22] already under contract, can you change that? [01:13:28] Can you change the way that they get paid? [01:13:30] Is that a legal thing? [01:13:31] Are you allowed to just, because I know if you contracted me and we had a contract, and [01:13:36] I'm getting paid a certain way, now you're going to change it on me later, I might not [01:13:40] be too happy with that. [01:13:42] So just wondering, you know. [01:13:45] Anybody else like to speak? [01:13:49] Howdy. [01:13:50] John Gillis, we're on 6658 River Road. [01:13:55] I've been sitting here listening, and listening, and listening, and my eyes are getting a bit [01:14:07] My ears are getting a little worse, but the biggest thing that concerns me is kind of [01:14:19] probably the same thing that concerns Peter is where is the money going? [01:14:26] What happened? [01:14:27] How did we get in this place? [01:14:28] Because any time anything would happen wrong in my business, because this is your business [01:14:32] guys. [01:14:33] We made mistakes, but we figured out what happened, and how can we never let them happen [01:14:38] again, and we make it right when we find out what went wrong. [01:14:42] One thing I just heard was Johnny say that nobody here, he asked the question, is there [01:14:50] a contract? [01:14:51] Can we get out? [01:14:52] Do they get paid? [01:14:53] Will we get paid? [01:14:54] I heard him ask that question, I believe. [01:14:58] And nobody here has that answer. [01:15:00] Let me explain it for the both of you. [01:15:06] You can present questions and these questions will be taken by the city manager and she'll [01:15:10] get some information out to you, but we're not answering them during box pop. [01:15:14] Okay. [01:15:15] I didn't understand that. [01:15:16] I don't come here every week like some of them do. [01:15:18] I thought that I heard, I didn't hear a denial, of course getting in my ears are bad too. [01:15:24] I didn't hear a denial, but I was concerned and that's why I got up. [01:15:27] I was getting ready to leave and I heard, wait a minute, somebody here must know how [01:15:31] they're getting paid, how they're getting everything like that, but that's my concern. [01:15:37] I really think that if I was the waste hauler and without looking, going back and looking [01:15:46] at the deal to take, making them responsible for their collections, I'm not sure how much [01:15:52] money we saved by not making them responsible, but as a personal today, had my trash out, [01:16:01] went by it and went out there and I looked at my trash can, it has the little lid on [01:16:05] it that's attached to it, not a thing like that. [01:16:09] It wasn't there. [01:16:11] What happened to it? [01:16:12] It wasn't laying here where it had fallen off, nobody said anything. [01:16:15] It was gone. [01:16:16] I'm assuming it's in the trash truck. [01:16:19] That's okay. [01:16:20] Things like that happen. [01:16:21] One thing I do, I called and nobody really could give me an answer what happened to it. [01:16:27] They wanted to check the video that's on the truck, which just astounded me that there's [01:16:32] a video. [01:16:33] They wanted to go to the tape to see what happened and I said, okay, that's fine, but [01:16:40] as concerning as that is, nobody called me back and there's one, you want to, I answer [01:16:45] all my calls. [01:16:47] I've turned it off for here, but I answer all of them, even the stupid ones I'm getting [01:16:51] now about what solar and car insurance and everything. [01:16:55] I answer all of them and it's a bad habit, but I don't like being ignored. [01:17:00] So I'd look a little bit of credence maybe on the point that they don't, I don't pay [01:17:06] their bill. [01:17:07] You all pay their bill. [01:17:08] So thank you very much. [01:17:09] I appreciate it. [01:17:10] Have a great day. [01:17:11] I just want to reiterate that you'll get, you'll get an answer to your question. [01:17:15] Thank you. [01:17:17] How will I get that? [01:17:19] Um. [01:17:20] Email? [01:17:21] She's got your number. [01:17:22] She's got your number. [01:17:23] Okay, bring it back. [01:17:24] Anybody else like to speak? [01:17:25] Seeing no one else come forward, we'll bring it back for discussion and motion. [01:17:26] You want to start, Pete, this time? [01:17:27] Yeah, I think the only thing I can say is that the biggest chuckle in the room today [01:17:41] was when you suggested that they would wait until the end of the year to get their money. [01:17:45] Um. [01:17:46] So obviously the bottom line is you correct the way taxes are based on the value from [01:17:53] the year before. [01:17:54] Those are the ad valorem taxes, but our assessments are based on the fiscal year we're in. [01:17:58] So if we are starting our business October 1st, it's the beginning of our fiscal year, [01:18:04] the money for the services won't come in until November. [01:18:08] Then it comes in hot and heavy. [01:18:10] So how we pay them as a city is going to be up to the new discussion, but to the point [01:18:17] of what would they think, just on the record, I think it was the advice of the haulers that [01:18:24] we go to this service, and there was a letter that showed that this was the best method [01:18:29] and the method that was used mostly across the state, which I've not seen any evidence [01:18:35] of it, but it may be true. [01:18:37] Community development districts are different. [01:18:39] They're more like homeowners associations. [01:18:42] They have single haulers from the get-go, and those deals are made with the various [01:18:49] providers for the benefit, the same benefit we're using to have just one hauler on the [01:18:55] street. [01:18:56] But it is, I want to make it clear that it is our responsibility. [01:19:00] We are now the collector of garbage. [01:19:03] They are our subcontractor. [01:19:06] So the buck always has to stop with the person who's charging the bill. [01:19:10] So we have assumed a responsibility, and the benefit to them is that we have a better collection [01:19:16] system. [01:19:17] What has never been proven and what has never been said is just quantifying how much we [01:19:22] lose from rental versus homeowners. [01:19:27] We don't know those things, and that's all I was asking for was some evidence. [01:19:31] So hopefully I've not been offensive to you all in my discussion, but it's frustrating [01:19:35] to want to make decisions on a business standpoint on the money, the real dollars coming in, [01:19:41] the real dollars going out, and to just have it sort of washed over with a couple of lines [01:19:47] of arguments and advice, which really I don't believe has truly vetted all of it. [01:19:53] And there's a million things to do to that point. [01:19:56] This is not the most important business in the city, but it is to the people that are [01:20:00] getting their garbage. [01:20:02] And to that degree, I think that I will still continue to push. [01:20:10] After I lost the vote by 10 votes to get the 80 acres, and I won for mayor in my first [01:20:18] time being mayor, the mayor said, now that's over. [01:20:22] And I said, no, it was close. [01:20:24] So I'll try again. [01:20:27] And I'll continue to try to push what I think is the best method, which is the water bill. [01:20:33] And maybe it will be up to me to do the math, and maybe I can get a former accountant or [01:20:37] somebody else around to help me to figure it out so I can present in the proper sort [01:20:42] of manner a comparison of the two methods. [01:20:46] So as you vote for it, I'm not upset because it gives that option, but I'm going to still [01:20:51] keep working on the other option. [01:20:54] And then we'll pick the best option. [01:20:56] So hope springs eternal. [01:20:59] Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. [01:21:02] And if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. [01:21:07] Wow, that was my dad saying. [01:21:10] Yeah, I would just ask that the city staff's communications on the question about compliance [01:21:16] and how payment is going to be made with this new tax process, or excuse me, to the [01:21:23] city attorney's point, this intention to go to a tax process, that I be included, perhaps [01:21:30] a cc'd on those, or if it's a letter, if I can get a copy of the letter. [01:21:39] Yeah, I don't really have anything else to add on this. [01:21:42] I would just, a couple of questions that were asked tonight, I'd like to see what those [01:21:45] answers are, too. [01:21:51] Yeah, go back to what Pete said. [01:21:54] I appreciate you're going to push forward your method, and maybe it's explained differently [01:21:59] in a way that maybe I can understand. [01:22:02] But I might like that, too. [01:22:04] We'll see what happens. [01:22:06] I'm open to anything. [01:22:09] I do want to address the one issue, or not issue, but the option of a referendum petition [01:22:16] and a vote to repeal this for the city and going back away from a one carrier hauler. [01:22:25] You are the people. [01:22:26] You have the right to do all of that. [01:22:30] I just think when these things are presented, you need to be presented with all the information. [01:22:37] I would say, you know, if that happened in the next year or two years, we're still under [01:22:41] a contract, so we could potentially be sued for millions of dollars because now we're [01:22:47] breaching that contract. [01:22:49] And that's the honest truth, legal like it or not, just the way it is. [01:22:54] I don't really make those rules. [01:22:57] But if it's something after the contract is up and the year before, do a referendum, hey, [01:23:02] no, we don't want to do this again as a city, can you vote for it that way? [01:23:05] Hell, I may vote with you because I don't like dealing with it, to be honest with you. [01:23:09] I mean, it's a pain. [01:23:12] But I just want to put that out there. [01:23:15] There's always, you know, repercussions to things you do, and I just want to make sure [01:23:19] you have all that information. [01:23:21] It could cause a bigger financial liability for the city, which what happens? [01:23:25] It gets passed down to you. [01:23:26] So when people get hot and heavy on that, just, you know, make sure they're telling [01:23:31] you everything, everything that goes with it. [01:23:34] I just want to go along one more step with that referendum idea. [01:23:38] You have a, as a city resident, you have a referendum every April, and it's two council [01:23:43] members one year, two council members the next year, and then the mayor, 2-2-1. [01:23:47] So you don't have to go through that whole thing. [01:23:49] You can just move on, get rid of the people that you don't want sitting up here, and go [01:23:53] ahead and get what you want. [01:23:55] And that's the opportunity that's available every year in April. [01:23:59] I'm the only one, Mr. Mayor, that's up in that situation. [01:24:04] I'm just kidding. [01:24:05] Thank you. [01:24:06] Anyhow, do I have a motion? [01:24:10] I have a motion and a second.

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5. 4.d

   Interlocal Agreement between the City of New Port Richey and the Pasco County Tax Collector RE: Solid Waste

   approved

   Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Pasco County Tax Collector to accept payments for solid waste, yard debris, residential recyclables, and transportation services using the uniform method of non-ad valorem assessment collection. The Tax Collector will charge an administrative fee not to exceed 2%. Two citizens spoke and one councilmember dissented, questioning the cost-effectiveness compared to other collection methods.

   • motion:Motion to approve the interlocal agreement with the Pasco County Tax Collector for collection of solid waste, yard debris, residential recyclables, and transportation service payments via the uniform method. (passed)

   📍6041 Florida Avenue📍6446 River Road🏢J.D. Parker🏢Pasco County Tax Collector👤John Kane👤Ken👤Mike Peters👤Mrs. Dunn#1.5% city administrative fee#10% franchise fee#2% tax collector administrative fee#Resolution 2025-12#Resolution 2025-13#Uniform method of non-ad valorem assessments

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   [01:24:13] I'll motion. [01:24:14] I'm not sure if I did. [01:24:15] I'll motion to approve. [01:24:16] I'll second. [01:24:18] Any other comments? [01:24:19] I'll second. [01:24:21] Thank you, sir. [01:24:22] All those in favor, signify by saying aye. [01:24:24] Aye. [01:24:25] Those opposed? [01:24:26] No. [01:24:27] All those in favor, signify by saying aye. [01:24:28] Aye. [01:24:29] Those opposed? [01:24:30] No. [01:24:31] That's it. [01:24:32] Thank you. [01:24:33] Any discussion on item number 2? [01:24:34] Interlocal agreement between the City of New Port Richey and Pasco County tax collector, solid [01:24:38] waste. [01:24:39] The request is to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Pasco County tax collector [01:24:46] to accept payments for solid waste, yard debris, residential recyclable materials, and transportation [01:24:54] services using the uniform method of collection for non-ad valorem assessments. [01:24:59] And Mrs. Dunn is prepared to present the agenda item. [01:25:06] The Florida statute provides cities with the authority to impose a non-ad valorem assessment [01:25:10] for fees, which are also not based upon the statute. [01:25:13] Again, earlier this evening, you were asked to approve two resolutions. [01:25:18] It's resolution number 2025-12, intent resolution to use uniform method of non-ad valorem assessments [01:25:24] to collect solid waste delinquencies, as well as the resolution number 2025-13, the intent [01:25:30] resolution to use uniform method of non-ad valorem assessments to collect solid waste [01:25:34] collection fees. [01:25:35] Both resolutions authorize the collection of payments for solid waste, yard debris, [01:25:41] residential recyclable materials, and transportation services using the uniform method of collection. [01:25:47] In that respect, subject to the approval of these resolutions, which authorizes the collection [01:25:53] of payments using the uniform method of collection, the purpose of this agenda item is to enter [01:25:58] into an interlocal agreement with the tax collector to accept the payments from property [01:26:03] owners and to transmit the payments to the city. [01:26:06] The tax collector will charge an administrative fee in the amount not to exceed 2% to cover [01:26:11] the cost associated with the collection and processing of the fines. [01:26:14] The recommendation is to enter into the interlocal agreement with the tax collector in respect [01:26:19] to accepting those payments for the collection and removal of solid waste, yard debris, and [01:26:23] residential recyclable materials. [01:26:27] Anybody have a public comment? [01:26:30] Seeing no one come forward, we'll bring it back for you. [01:26:33] Oh, I'm sorry. [01:26:41] Mike Peters, 6446 River Road. [01:26:44] I encourage you to vote for this resolution. [01:26:48] By doing so, when we talk about economics, the economics might be for the city, which [01:26:54] is actually taxpayers, which is actually residents' money. [01:26:57] But what you'll see here, the actual charges for the waste hauling will be the most economical [01:27:02] way that this service can be provided. [01:27:06] Simply think about this. [01:27:08] The same reason why community CDD companies and homeowner associations band together and [01:27:17] might charge for it under a homeowner association fee, because when they bid that out to the [01:27:22] carrier, the carrier is going to give them the very best price because of the group that [01:27:26] they're doing, and they know they're going to get their payment. [01:27:29] They don't have to do the collection service. [01:27:32] That extra savings gets passed on to each individual resident, not just the advantages [01:27:38] of a single hauler, but actual economic lower cost. [01:27:43] When we go to bid this, and it comes out every few years, the haulers will want to have the [01:27:50] city of New Port Richey. [01:27:51] We're a five-square-mile area. [01:27:53] Residents are close together. [01:27:55] The trucks don't have to go far. [01:27:57] They're going to get paid. [01:27:59] They're going to be able to provide the best bid that's capable of an industry. [01:28:04] We'll be paying less than our neighbors in other cities and in the county for the services [01:28:10] because you've elected to do it this way. [01:28:13] That savings goes directly to every citizen in the city, and they're all participating. [01:28:21] They're all fair because they're all enjoying the lower cost. [01:28:24] We're all enjoying the clean city. [01:28:27] We're all enjoying the service as it's given. [01:28:34] Because of that, and when the bid system goes out, it's not only just the bid, but it's the service. [01:28:40] Your current carrier, if they're going to demonstrate that they're going to provide [01:28:44] great service, that we all will be enjoying because they're going to want to be considered [01:28:49] when the next term comes up. [01:28:52] By doing this, you're making the very best deal you can for your citizens. [01:28:57] There will be less money out of their pocket now and going forward. [01:29:01] The savings now is not just the 7%, but it's also what will be compounded on that going forward. [01:29:10] So I encourage you to vote for this. [01:29:14] Thank you. [01:29:23] John Kane, 6041 Florida Avenue. [01:29:26] So I do a second part to this when I hear the reading, and it hasn't been addressed. [01:29:32] And by the way, this isn't Vox Pop. [01:29:34] We're addressing each subject as it comes along. [01:29:39] And yes, I've had questions answered over the years here. [01:29:42] But I mean, whatever you're capable of, I guess you use what you want to do. [01:29:47] But one of the things I'm hearing is yard debris. [01:29:50] I'm hoping that we are not taking a backdoor again to try to eliminate our yard debris pickup. [01:30:00] ever fit that stuff in the trash. [01:30:01] It doesn't work. [01:30:03] We've been through this. [01:30:04] Why do we keep pecking away like a woodpecker [01:30:07] at the same thing over and over? [01:30:08] Do we do that until the tree falls? [01:30:10] Is that the philosophy? [01:30:12] And then you finally get your way and this is what we do. [01:30:15] Anyway, that's really misrepresenting [01:30:17] this whole thing about garbage debris. [01:30:19] And I just always hear it as a phase. [01:30:21] So maybe the people that do represent me [01:30:23] would like to address that. [01:30:24] I'd like to know, are they looking to do that? [01:30:26] Thank you. [01:30:30] Anybody else like to speak? [01:30:33] Bring it back for discussion and motion. [01:30:38] Move for approval. [01:30:40] Second. [01:30:43] Only just to rebut that the discussion [01:30:46] about the benefits of a single hauler [01:30:49] and the price that we save and the economy [01:30:52] has nothing to do with the comparison [01:30:55] of the method of collection. [01:30:57] Except for the fact that the method of collection [01:31:00] on the tax bill charges the citizens more [01:31:04] than the services that they receive. [01:31:07] So if that's the purpose, I'm gonna do the math [01:31:11] and I'll come back to you later. [01:31:12] When we start looking at additional costs [01:31:15] that there are to the tax bill versus the theoretic loss. [01:31:22] And just from a cost standpoint, [01:31:26] this is a bad mathematical decision [01:31:29] and it cannot continue to be couched [01:31:32] in the sense that we are saving money [01:31:34] because the haulers are gonna be single haulers. [01:31:37] Because we've all settled on that. [01:31:39] That's what it is right now. [01:31:41] You can't just keep using the argument of single haulers. [01:31:45] The cost of garbage collection in the city of Dade City [01:31:49] on the water bill is less than the charges [01:31:53] that we're getting here. [01:31:56] And they are single hauler. [01:31:58] So there's another example of things [01:32:01] that we can look at to say, but guess what? [01:32:03] That's gonna go up. [01:32:04] And so every argument is a fallacious argument [01:32:07] because that's the three-year-old contract [01:32:10] and it's gonna go up just like the insurance business [01:32:14] when you think you can get the best rate [01:32:16] and then the next year the other carrier [01:32:18] has got you switching to it or the other provider [01:32:22] because the insurance agents [01:32:24] are always having to look at rates. [01:32:27] So the economy is what it is. [01:32:31] It's gonna be what it is. [01:32:32] We're talking about collections. [01:32:34] I see the vote. [01:32:36] I've stated my case and I'll continue to watch it [01:32:40] and try to represent the public's interest. [01:32:43] Thank you. [01:32:46] I just have a question for staff. [01:32:47] This has a 2% fee attached to it. [01:32:53] Yes. [01:32:53] Okay. [01:32:54] Not in addition. [01:32:56] Not in addition to the 10% franchise fee? [01:33:00] There's an admin fee already included in the fee. [01:33:02] The 1.15% admin fee? [01:33:05] So 2%, 1.5%, 10%. [01:33:10] Or is the 1.5% going up to two? [01:33:13] I would assume the 1.5 would be increased to two [01:33:17] but that hasn't been a discussion [01:33:18] that we've had at this point. [01:33:21] It's in the contract, this 2%, [01:33:23] so I wanna know what that is changing [01:33:25] in terms of the arrangement. [01:33:29] Are you addressing the city manager now [01:33:31] instead of the department head? [01:33:32] I said city staff. [01:33:34] Okay. [01:33:36] The 1.5 you're referring to is the city administrative fee. [01:33:40] Now you're saying 2% in the contract. [01:33:44] So are you saying in the interlocal agreement? [01:33:47] My question was, I referenced the 2%, [01:33:50] at which point I said, is that an additional fee? [01:33:53] And I was told by staff that it is not. [01:33:56] That's the impression I'm getting. [01:33:58] So is it a 2% in addition to all the other fees [01:34:02] that are already assessed? [01:34:04] The 10% and I guess it's 1.5%, not 1.15, [01:34:08] I might have misspoke. [01:34:09] So it's 10%, 1.5%, and now we have a 2% [01:34:14] coming to the county. [01:34:16] Those fees have not been solidified at this point. [01:34:18] We will have a separate agreement [01:34:20] with the county for those fees. [01:34:21] What are the current fees? [01:34:24] The current fee with the county. [01:34:26] The current fees for the arrangement [01:34:28] with J.D. Parker and our residents. [01:34:30] 1.5. [01:34:31] In addition to a 10% franchise fee. [01:34:33] That's correct. [01:34:34] And so we have a 10% franchise fee. [01:34:37] That's correct. [01:34:38] We have a 1.5 cent city. [01:34:40] Administrative fee. [01:34:41] How does the new 2% fee in this contract [01:34:45] change those numbers? [01:34:48] It does not change the amount of the bills. [01:34:53] Okay. [01:34:54] Thank you. [01:34:55] If that's what you're asking. [01:34:56] That definitely answers my question. [01:34:57] Thank you. [01:35:00] I believe that the charge from the, [01:35:04] is probably gonna be 3% or 4% from the county. [01:35:08] Was it 2% maybe? [01:35:09] No, no, but you've also got to take [01:35:13] what's equal to up to 4% discount [01:35:16] on paying something early on the tax bill. [01:35:19] So the city's gonna have to calculate [01:35:22] its potential losses when it sets its rates [01:35:24] to make sure that it doesn't lose money. [01:35:28] And so the city can do all right through this. [01:35:32] The real question is how much garbage [01:35:35] is being collected on a per unit basis [01:35:38] and how many units of garbage are being collected. [01:35:42] And that's what is the issue from the folks [01:35:45] that spoke here today, which is there are times [01:35:47] when they don't have to have their garbage collected [01:35:49] and we've decided that we can keep the rates down [01:35:52] by charging everybody all year [01:35:55] and the haulers will know that [01:35:56] and they'll adjust and make their rates accordingly. [01:35:59] So whatever we do, I think there is some truth [01:36:02] in the fact that whoever's looking at our contract [01:36:06] will factor that into their bids [01:36:07] the next time a bid comes around if it does. [01:36:12] It'd be nice if things were just straightforward [01:36:14] but they're not. [01:36:18] And I intend to fight to keep our trash debris [01:36:22] although I'm always open for discussions [01:36:24] and I believe we should potentially put a small fee on it [01:36:27] so that we can better control it [01:36:29] and do it more accurately and correctly. [01:36:35] I just wanna say one little thing. [01:36:36] We're talking about this percentage here and there. [01:36:40] Basically, the annual fee's around $240 [01:36:44] and 2% is basically a cup of coffee at Starbucks. [01:36:49] So there's the numbers we're throwing around. [01:36:53] So all those in favor, signify by aye. [01:36:56] Motion? [01:36:57] Yes, we already had these. [01:36:58] There is a motion. [01:36:59] Yeah, there's a motion. [01:37:00] They've already done it. [01:37:01] But did you have anything to say, Ken? [01:37:02] Oh, I'm sorry. [01:37:03] I thought I did you guys first. [01:37:05] Oh, no. [01:37:05] I'm sorry. [01:37:06] Yeah, you want anything more? [01:37:07] I don't have anything else to say. [01:37:09] Oh. [01:37:11] Dang it, I did have something and I forgot. [01:37:13] I forgot which one. [01:37:19] Nope, nothing this time. [01:37:21] All those in favor, signify by aye. [01:37:24] Aye. [01:37:25] Those opposed? [01:37:26] No. [01:37:26] No.

   This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

6. 5Communications▶ 1:37:27
7. 2

   Pledge of Allegiance

   Pledge of Allegiance.
8. 3

   Moment of Silence

   Moment of Silence.
9. 6Adjournment