Ad Valorem Tax — A property tax calculated as a percentage of your property's assessed value. This is one of the primary ways New Port Richey funds city services. "Ad valorem" is Latin for "according to value."

Annexation — The process by which the City of New Port Richey officially incorporates land that was previously unincorporated Pasco County territory into its boundaries. Once annexed, residents receive city services and pay city taxes.

Assessed Value — The dollar value assigned to your property by the Pasco County Property Appraiser for the purpose of calculating taxes. This may differ from what your home would sell for on the open market.

Budget Amendment — A formal change to the city's approved annual budget, requiring a vote of the city commission.

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) — A multi-year schedule of major public investments the city plans to make, such as road resurfacing, park renovations, or infrastructure repairs. Typically covers five to ten years and is updated annually.

City Charter — The foundational legal document that establishes how New Port Richey is organized and governed. It defines the powers of the mayor, city commission, and city manager, and can only be changed by a voter referendum.

City Commission — The five-member elected governing body of New Port Richey. The commission sets policy, adopts the annual budget, and hires the city manager. The mayor is elected separately and presides over commission meetings.

City Manager — A professional administrator hired by the city commission to run day-to-day operations of city government. The city manager oversees all city departments and staff and implements the policies set by the commission.

Code Enforcement — The city department responsible for ensuring that properties and businesses comply with local ordinances, including rules about signage, building condition, lawn maintenance, and noise. Violations can result in fines or liens.

Comprehensive Plan — A long-range planning document required by Florida law that guides how New Port Richey will grow and develop. It covers land use, transportation, housing, utilities, and conservation, and must be consistent with Pasco County's broader plan.

Conditional Use — A land use that is not automatically permitted in a zoning district but may be allowed if the applicant meets specific standards set in the Land Development Code and receives city approval. Also called a Special Exception.

Cotee River — The tidal river that runs through downtown New Port Richey and empties into the Gulf of Mexico via the Pithlachascotee watershed. The river is a defining feature of the city's identity and a focus of ongoing environmental stewardship, stormwater management, and recreational planning.

CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) — A special district created under Florida law to revitalize areas identified as blighted. New Port Richey's CRA covers much of the downtown core. Property tax revenues generated by rising property values within the CRA boundary are reinvested into the district rather than flowing to the general fund.

CRA Trust Fund — The dedicated fund that holds and distributes tax increment revenues collected within the CRA district. Projects funded through the trust fund must serve the goals of the CRA's adopted redevelopment plan.

Debt Service — The portion of the city's budget dedicated to repaying borrowed money, including principal and interest on bonds or loans. It is a fixed annual obligation, similar to a mortgage payment.

Downtown Overlay District — A set of special zoning standards that apply to properties within New Port Richey's downtown area, often in addition to or in place of standard zoning rules. Overlay districts are used to encourage pedestrian-friendly design, historic compatibility, and mixed-use development.

Easement — A legal right for one party to use a portion of another person's property for a specific purpose, such as utility access, stormwater drainage, or public pathways. Easements run with the land and appear in property records.

Eminent Domain — The legal power of a government to take private property for a public use such as a road, park, or utility. The property owner must be paid fair market value. Also called condemnation.

Enterprise Fund — A government fund used to account for city services that are meant to be self-supporting through user fees, such as water and sewer utilities. These funds are kept separate from general tax revenue.

Fiscal Year — The 12-month accounting period used for budgeting and financial reporting. New Port Richey's fiscal year runs October 1 through September 30.

FLUM (Future Land Use Map) — A map within the Comprehensive Plan showing the intended long-term use of every parcel of land. It is a planning guide rather than a zoning map, but the two must be consistent with each other under Florida law.

General Fund — The primary operating fund of the city, supported mainly by property taxes, fees, and state revenue sharing. It funds core services including police, parks, and public works.

Home Rule — The authority granted to Florida municipalities under state law to govern themselves and enact local ordinances, as long as they do not conflict with state or federal law. Home rule gives New Port Richey the ability to set its own policies on local matters.

Impact Fee — A one-time charge assessed on new development to help pay for the increased demand it places on public infrastructure like roads and parks. The intent is to make growth pay for itself rather than burden existing taxpayers.

Infrastructure — The physical systems that support the community, including roads, sidewalks, water and sewer lines, stormwater drainage, and public buildings. Maintaining infrastructure is one of the city's core responsibilities and a frequent subject of the Capital Improvement Plan.

Land Development Code (LDC) — New Port Richey's local law that sets the detailed rules for how land can be used and developed, including zoning districts, setbacks, building heights, parking requirements, and landscaping standards. It is the primary document governing development decisions in the city.

Land Development Review Board (LDRB) — The city board that reviews applications for variances, conditional uses, rezonings, and other development approvals. The LDRB holds quasi-judicial hearings and makes recommendations or final decisions depending on the type of application.

Levy — The act of officially imposing a tax. When the city commission levies a millage rate, it is setting the property tax rate for the coming fiscal year as part of the annual budget process.

Millage Rate — The property tax rate expressed in mills, where one mill equals $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. For example, a 5-mill rate on a home assessed at $200,000 results in $1,000 in annual city taxes.

Mixed Use — A zoning designation that allows a combination of uses in one area or building, such as ground-floor retail with residential units above. Mixed-use development is a central goal of New Port Richey's downtown redevelopment strategy.

Municipal — Relating to a city or town and its local government. When something is described as municipal, it is operated or governed by the City of New Port Richey rather than Pasco County, the state, or a private entity.

Nonconforming Use — A property use or structure that was legal when it was established but no longer complies with current zoning rules. It is typically allowed to continue but cannot be expanded or rebuilt if substantially destroyed.

Ordinance — A law passed by the city commission governing local matters such as noise, signage, parking, and zoning. Ordinances have the force of law within city limits and are published in the city's municipal code.

Pithlachascotee Watershed — The broader watershed system that includes the Cotee River and surrounding tributaries draining into the Gulf of Mexico. Land use decisions throughout the watershed affect water quality and flooding in New Port Richey's downtown and riverfront areas.

Plat — An official map of a subdivision or development showing property boundaries, lot sizes, streets, and easements. Plats are reviewed and approved by the city and recorded with the Pasco County Clerk.

Public Comment — Time set aside at public meetings for residents to address the commission or board. Florida's Sunshine Law protects this right. Comment periods are typically limited to three minutes per speaker.

Public Hearing — A formal meeting required by law before certain government decisions, such as adopting a budget, changing zoning, or amending the Comprehensive Plan. Residents have the legal right to speak before a vote is taken.

Quasi-Judicial — A government proceeding that resembles a court hearing, where a board weighs evidence and applies established legal standards to reach a decision. LDRB hearings on variances and conditional uses are quasi-judicial proceedings.

Redevelopment Plan — The CRA's adopted document outlining goals, priorities, and eligible projects for the downtown redevelopment area. Expenditures from the CRA Trust Fund must align with this plan.

Resolution — A formal action taken by the city commission that is not a permanent law in the way an ordinance is. Resolutions are used to approve contracts, accept grants, adopt policies, or express the commission's official position.

Right-of-Way (ROW) — A strip of land the public has the legal right to use for roads, sidewalks, and utilities. Property owners may own land up to the edge of the right-of-way but cannot build within it.

Setback — The minimum distance a building or structure must be placed from a property line, road, or other feature as required by the Land Development Code.

Special Assessment — A charge levied on specific properties that benefit from a particular public improvement, such as new sidewalks or a street lighting district, rather than on all taxpayers citywide.

Stormwater — Rainwater and runoff that flows across surfaces into the city's drainage system. In New Port Richey, stormwater management is closely tied to Cotee River water quality and flood risk, particularly in low-lying downtown and riverfront areas.

Sunshine Law — Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law (Chapter 286, Florida Statutes) requires that meetings of government boards and commissions be open to the public, properly noticed in advance, and have written minutes maintained. It applies to every board and advisory committee in New Port Richey.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) — The mechanism by which New Port Richey's CRA captures increased property tax revenue generated by rising values within the downtown district and reinvests it locally. It does not raise tax rates -- it redirects growth revenue.

Variance — An official exception to a specific rule in the Land Development Code, such as a setback or height limit, granted when strict application would create an unnecessary hardship unique to the property. Variance requests are heard by the LDRB.

Zoning — The system of laws that divides New Port Richey into districts and regulates what kinds of uses and structures are allowed in each. Categories include residential, commercial, downtown mixed use, and others defined in the Land Development Code.

Zoning Map — An official map showing the current zoning classification for every parcel in the city. Changing a property's classification requires a rezoning application, LDRB review, and city commission approval.