PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- Florida lawmakers are taking the first step to dissolve the city of Port Richey.
State Representative Amber Mariano and Senator Ed Hooper announced plans to pursue legislation that would eliminate the city.
They want to dissolve the city in the wake of recent controversies and a high amount of debt surrounding the city.
RELATED:
- Jury finds ex-mayor Dale Massad guilty of obstructing justice
- Port Richey acting mayor Terrence Rowe suspended by Gov. DeSantis following arrest
Earlier in the year, former mayor of Port Richey Dale Massad was arrested in February for shooting at deputies who came to his home to serve an arrest warrant. The warrant they came to serve was for practicing medicine without a license.
His deputy mayor was arrested shortly after for his involvement in the Massad investigation. Terrence Rowe was arrested for felony charges of obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
If the bill passes, Pasco County would take over Port Richey operations in September 2020.
