Legislators Want To Dissolve Port Richey; City Officials Balk

PORT RICHEY, FL — Whether the scandal-plagued City of Port Richey government should remain intact is causing a rift between city officials and state legislators.

State lawmakers plan to file a bill to dissolve the municipality following the arrests of both the former mayor and vice mayor earlier this year.

Pasco County state Rep. Amber Mariano and Sen. Ed Hooper, both Republicans, believe past corruption within the city's government and mounting fiscal debt have made it impossible for the city to govern its residents effectively.

The proposal comes after the arrest of former Mayor Dale Massad on Feb. 21. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was investigating Massad, a former physician, for practicing medicine without a license. When the Pasco County Sheriff's Office showed up at Massad's home to serve the FDLE warrant, they said Massad fired on the SWAT Team. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder and practicing medicine without a license.

Former city councilman Terrence Rowe was appointed acting mayor in Massad's absence, but he, too, landed in the Land O' Lakes Detention Center after Massad made a jailhouse call to Rowe that was recorded. During the conversation, prosecutors said the two men conspired to obstruct justice by discrediting a key witness in the case against Massad.

The news made national headlines and the city became the butt of jokes. Subsequently, both men were suspended from office by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Now, Mariano and Hooper believe it's in the best interest of the city's residents to dissolve the government and city charter, and allow Port Richey to fall under the jurisdiction of the Pasco County government.

"The people of the city have dealt with this headache for years and years and years, and I just think we need to cut ties before things happen again because there has been a history of corruption and abuse there," Mariano said.

Hooper said the city is in poor financial shape. He's concerned about the city's ability to pay back its outstanding bonds in coming years.

The two legislators believe that dissolving Port Richey would be in the best interest of the city's taxpayers who could realize a 43 percent decrease in their property taxes.

"That's real money for these people," Mariano said. "And at the end of the day, the county can perform those services at the same level, if not a higher level."

If the Mariano's bill passes in the House and Hooper's companion bill passes in the Senate this legislative session, Pasco County would take over Port Richey city operations in September 2020.

The 2.7-square-mile town known as Port Richey was incorporated 1925. The city's never had a population of more than 3,000 people. According to the U.S. Census, the current population is 2,869.

Over the years, several proposals to abolish the city have gone before voters.

In 1953, the city explored the pros and cons of merging with New Port Richey, but ultimately dismissed the idea. The question was again put before the voters in 1975 and rejected 201-84.

Then, in 1978, the city council voted to dissolve the city's police department and have the Pasco County Sheriff's Office handle its law enforcement needs.

That same year, a proposal appeared on the ballot to again abolish the city. It was voted down, 514-162. Afterward, the city resurrected its police department, according to Pasco County historical documents.

Since then, there have been two more votes. In 1997, residents voted down a plan to merge with New Port Richey, 673-216. And, In 2007, residents voted down a proposal to dissolve the city, 454-375.

After Massad and Rowe were ousted from office, the city held a special election and chose Scott Tremblay as its mayor. Tremblay believes, like in the past, the decision should be up to the voters, not the Legislature. He's convinced that residents would again reject any plan to abolish the city.

"They like their police department, they like their fire department, and they like the services they receive from being within the city," he said.

In response to the proposed legislation, the City of Port Richey has filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement against Mariano. City Manager Vincent Lupo and City Attorney James Mathieu claim Mariano gave false information to FDLE investigators in May when she filed her complaint against the city.

Specifically, they said Mariano alleged that the city illegally used Community Reinvestment Act funds to pay employee salaries and improperly refinanced bonds by combining two bonds totaling $3 million. Mariano said she obtained the information from Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles who conducted research for the dissolution bill that Mariano plans to file in the House.

In its complaint, the city alleges that the dissolution plan is politically motivated because it would place the city within the jurisdiction of the Pasco County Commission District 5. Mariano's father, Jack, is the county commissioner for that district.

"Her father is the county commissioner in this particular jurisdiction,” said Tremblay. “So, the windfall for when the city’s dissolved would go into his control.”

Mariano denies her father influenced her proposal to dissolve the city government.

“This complaint is absolute nonsense and is just another example of the failed leadership and poor judgment of city officials," said Mariano. "This stunt is clearly retaliation for legislation I intend to file that the city does not like. I am absolutely confident that this politically motivated, unfounded complaint will be dismissed quickly.”

The proposal is expected to be a hot topic at the annual Pasco County Legislative Delegation public meeting Friday, Oct. 11 from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Pasco-Hernando State College’s West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey. Sign up here to speak.

The Port Richey City Council plans to meet in executive session at 7 p.m., prior to its regular board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 6333 Ridge Road, Port Richey. A discussion concerning the Pasco County Legislative Delegation public meeting is also on the council's agenda.

Related stories:

• Port Richey Residents To Elect New Mayor; Pasco To Elect New Rep
• Former Mayor Denied Bail; Port Richey Prepares To Elect New Mayor
• Port Richey Mayoral Update: Crack, Meth, Potential Recall
• Gov. DeSantis Suspends Port Richey Mayor Following Arrest
• Port Richey Mayor Arrested After Shooting At SWAT Team: Sheriff
• Both Former Port Richey Mayor, Acting Mayor Facing Charges
• Port Richey City Council To Temporarily Fill Empty Council Seat
• Former Port Richey Mayor Found Guilty Of Obstruction