New Port RicheyThe State of the CityMarch 3, 2011John Schneiger, City Manager

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Topics to be covered Ten year history of the CRA and

General Fund - interesting facts Changing fiscal environment New Port Richey’s economic and fiscal

challenges Recent City accomplishments My recommendations for meeting the

challenges of changing times and new situations

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Financial Work Sessions Council Work Sessions

– Feb. 1: Financial Planning Status– Feb. 8: Five Year Financial Projections– Feb. 15: Recreation and Aquatic Center

Feb. 17: Managers’ Finance and Budget Meeting

Mar. 3: “State of the City” presented to the public

Mar. 10: CRA Strategic Redevelopment Plan

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What’s different

The “New Norm”– The economy will not automatically rebound– Revenue sources are realigning, possibly

permanently– State and County are in deep financial trouble– Short-term fixes won’t bridge the gap anymore– Structural change is coming

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Economic challenges No “quick fix.” City needs to continue efforts to cut City Government costs. Improve City Budgeting process and administration in order

to truly become a blueprint for next year. Take a hard look during the next few years at Fund structure

and flow. Make necessary systematic adjustments. Work collaboratively with Public Safety unions to devise

sustainable pension plans. Overall, ensure all Funds’ fiscal sustainability, especially the

General Fund and the Community Redevelopment Agency.

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New Port Richey

Population: 16,454 (2009) 2011 Budget: $34,785,480

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Recent accomplishments Millage level not increased in 2011 Debris collection funded again in 2011 Street Improvement Program US 19 utility improvements Pine Hill Road/stormwater improvements Downtown Railroad Square II Project

completed US 19 Intersection Safety Program (red light

cameras)

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Recent accomplishments Successfully negotiated Interlocal Agreement

with County to widen Main Street (split utility cost and better design)

Upgraded Disaster Preparedness Plan Agreement struck with Main Street Landings More water sold to Tampa Bay Water Outstanding operations at Water Treatment

and Distribution Operations - less than 6% leakage

Finance Department Operational Audit close to completion

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Recent accomplishments:City Manager Initiated all-employee meetings to increase

City employee cohesiveness and communication.

Initiated monthly Coffee with the City Manager meetings.

Hired new Chief of Police, Development Services Director, and assisted City Council in hiring an Interim City Attorney.

Took ownership and initiative to resolve redevelopment programs such as the Main Street Landings and the Hacienda Hotel.

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Recent accomplishments:Police Deployed the Department’s second K-9 unit. Deployed an investigator to Pasco Sheriff’s Office

Vice/Narcotics to work full-time on prescription pill crimes.

Participated in a National Domestic Violence Round-Up with other County agencies; achieved national second place for the second consecutive year, with 67 arrests and 382 attempts at service.

Considering a possible City animal control project. Participated in enforcement projects with the Pasco

County Sheriff’s Office, resulting in over 60 criminal charges.

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Recent accomplishments:Human Resources Aggressively limited City liability from a risk

management prospective via working with City attorneys.

Initiated a Safety Task Force to help reduce liability claims and effect a 3% reduction in liability premiums.

Modernized City policies, procedures, and systems that impact liability, as well as City operations and staff efficiency and effectiveness; all of which ultimately impact City costs.

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Recent accomplishments:Public Library Nominated for Best Small Library in America. Set up computer for hard of hearing to make

phone calls using donated Sorenson Videophone equipment.

Set up a Rosetta Stone language computer for patrons to use to learn a foreign language.

Created a Web application for issuance of library cards to eliminate paper applications.

Worked on “green” project: public areas painted, restrooms upgraded; lights to be retrofit in March and flooring replaced by June.

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Recent accomplishments:Development Department A streamlined Development Department was

created at the end of last year to meet Budget challenges.

Processed 72 applications through the Development Review Committee.

Issued 1,238 permits with a conservative estimated $10,484,129 total value.

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Recent accomplishments:Parks and Recreation Opened Frances Avenue Park playground. Wi-Fi installed at the Recreation and Aquatic

Center. Funding provided by Katelyn Foundation to

enroll 61 children in swim lessons. 230 volunteers collected 1.71 tons of debris

during River Clean-Up. National “Playful City USA” for the 2nd year in

a row. Youth Advisory Board awarded “Volunteer

Group of the Year” by the Florida Recreation and Park Association.

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Recent accomplishments:City Clerk’s Office Successful qualification of one Mayoral

candidate.  – Second year in a row for an unopposed candidate.– Saved the City approximately $6,000 in election

costs. City Code Book is up to date. 

– One new ordinance is at Municipal Code.  – E-mailed as Word document for rapid update.

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Recent accomplishments:Fire Department Scored “outstanding” on their Emergency

Medical Services Audit from the State Department of Health.

Leading efforts related to the Disaster Preparedness Plan.

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Increasing City cash flow

Florida League of Cities Training Last six months’ accomplishments:

– Code Enforcement collections– Red light cameras– Cell towers– Recreation concession stand– Charging criminals with the cost of police services

Comprehensive Fee Study

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Strategic Action Plan for the Community Redevelopment Agency Evaluation and recommendation of 6

selected properties Evaluate and recommend CRA-wide

strategies– Downtown– US 19– Neighborhoods

A vision for the future– Community Meeting in February– Plan on adoption in March or April

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Ten-year historyof the New Port Richey CRA and its impact on the General Fund

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General Fund issues General Fund’s revenue is capped, as a

result of CRA, which comprises most of the City.

City’s assessed value: over $1 billion. Statewide average per capita taxable value is $83,000. New Port Richey is less than one half, at $41,000.

Statewide average for per capita property tax is levied at $418. City of New Port Richey is $332. Port Richey is $413 per capita, and Zephyrhills is $298.

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Five-year CRA and General Fund projections

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CRA tax increment revenue

$0.0

$1.0

$2.0

$3.0

$4.0

$5.0

$6.0

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Millions

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City Manager recommendations City staff: continue to do everything possible to

cut costs and develop cost containment strategies.

City Council: prioritize General Fund services based on financial projections that demonstrate the need for the General Fund to support CRA debt in the near future.

Improve City Budget to give it a stronger focus on programs (Goals and Objectives). Improve Budget process, format, and management.

Further develop the Five Year Capital Improvement Program to facilitate an increase in outside funding procurement.

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City Manager recommendations Be very frugal with “Penny for Pasco” funds,

which may sunset in 2014 (CDBG). Adopt a formal policy regarding City charges and

fees, leading to a systematic review of current charges and fees.

“Stay the course” regarding 2012 Budget emphasis. Accept the necessity of changing how things have been done.

City to increase partnerships with citizens, employees, organizations, and the business community. The City and Community should support local businesses.

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City Manager recommendations Future City Council Work Sessions to

consider:– The cost to the City of special events– Review of the Finance Operational Study– Street light assessment increase– Electronic utility reader investment– Alternatives to the current debris collection– Animal Control partnership

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What is a Strategic

Plan?Just like a road

map, a Strategic Plan shows us the steps we need to take to get to our

destination.

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Strategic Plan benefits Enables the City Council to provide

better leadership Improves the partnership between

Council and staff Encourages “thinking ahead” Provides a chance for us to evaluate

our services Helps us to better utilize City resources

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Summary

The fiscal sustainability of the City, through cost containment and economic recovery, is not just an issue for elected officials, the City Manager, and the City staff, but for the community as a whole.

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Economic challenges No “quick fix.” City needs to continue efforts to cut City Government costs. Improve City Budgeting process and administration in order

to truly become a blueprint for next year. Take a hard look during the next few years at Fund structure

and flow. Make necessary systematic adjustments. Work collaboratively with Public Safety unions to devise

sustainable pension plans. Overall, ensure all Funds’ fiscal sustainability, especially the

General Fund and the Community Redevelopment Agency.