PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- New movements on the future of Port Richey on Tuesday.
As state lawmakers aim to dissolve the city's government, the mayor spoke out just hours before a public meeting.
"Our local senators and our house of representatives have to determine whether or not they want to dissolve the city," Port Richey Mayor Scott Tremblay said.
They would determine that on Friday after the public comments.
"We're going to allow them to speak in terms of their opinion for or against dissolving the city and why," Tremblay said.
But, Tremblay said, the public should decide.
"I would expect the legislature to come in and rescue a non-functioning government from the people, to help the people, but that's simply not the case," Tremblay said.
City attorney James Mathieu said this was more about the county taking prime city real estate.
"The elimination of the city would open up endless options for the county in its harbor plan and future growth," Tremblay said.
State Rep. Amber Mariano planned to file a bill to dissolve after the former mayor and vice mayor were arrested earlier this year.
City officials claimed, on Tuesday, she was really doing it for her dad, who is a county commissioner.
"They were arrested for personal problems and not any problems that had anything to do with the city," Tremblay said.
In response, Rep. Mariano sent ABC Action News a statement saying: “This complaint is absolute nonsense and is just another example of failed leadership and poor judgment of city officials."
