PORT RICHEY — During a tough budget season that forced some cities to lay off employees or cut services, Port Richey added a police officer and put a little more money in employees' pockets.
The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved a 2 percent raise for all of the city's employees — 48 full time and four part time. In addition, the city will hire another police officer to add to the staff of nine full-time officers and four reserves.
The city's $8.6 million budget is built on a tax rate of 4.2 mills, or $4.20 in tax for every $1,000 in taxable property. That rate is up from 3.9 mills, but because of falling property values, the higher rate will raise the same money as last year.
Council member Phil Abts cast the only dissenting vote Tuesday night on the budget.
City staff originally built the proposed budget on the lower tax rate, saving money by not filling two positions lost through attrition. When the council opted for the higher tax rate, the city had a $100,000 cushion to spend.
City Manager Ellen Posivach and her staff brainstormed ways to use the surplus and came up with a short list.
The list included council member Perry Bean's suggestion for the new officer and raises.
Bean also suggested hiring a new firefighter and getting new bulletproof vests for police officers.
Of the $100,000, city officials said, about $50,000 will be used to pay for the new police officer, and about $44,000 will be used for employee raises. The council will discuss ideas at its next meeting for the remaining $6,000.
"Our employees are being asked to do more than ever before with less resources," Bean said. "It's just a start, but I'm glad we're able to do that."
Bean said public safety and rewarding the city's employees were first on the list of recommendations.
But he recognized that the city's ability to provide bonuses and hire a new employee was unique in the midst of a blighted economy.
"There is some truth to our fortune," he said. "In the last couple years, agencies around us have faced tougher challenges than we have. But, there's a bit of luck, too."
Bean's motion during the meeting to supply raises and a new officer was seconded by council member Steven O'Neill, who supported the idea of putting more officers on the street.
"This hits right at the core of what we want to do," O'Neill said. "We were asked to think of expenditures, and that's what we've done."
Other cities' decisions
Like Port Richey, San Antonio went with a higher tax rate — 2.4 mills, up from 2.1 — and was able to provide 3 percent raises for its employees, said City Clerk Barbara Sessa. San Antonio has four full-time employees and one part-time worker.
Other local governments didn't have such a cushion.
In Pasco County government, there were no raises, and 98 people were laid off.
In New Port Richey, there were no raises for employees, and three positions were eliminated, said City Manager Tom O'Neill. A millage rate of 8.1 mills was approved this year, up from 6.6 mills last year.
In Zephyrhills, no raises were given to employees for the second year in a row, said City Manager Steve Spina, and two positions were eliminated. The city kept its millage rate at 5.5 mills.
To help employees during the economic downturn, Spina plans at Monday's City Council meeting to ask members to give a $500 lump sum to all 180 employees. The money would come from various areas in the city's budget, including the general fund.
In Dade City, four full-time positions were eliminated, and no raises were granted to employees.
Bean said taking small steps such as hiring one officer helps Port Richey rebound from losing employees due to attrition over the past few years.
"We still lost far more employees than we've replaced," he said. "At least this helps us build back up to where we need to be."
Camille C. Spencer can be reached at cspencer@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4609.
News
