The New Port Richey city manager is the chief administrative officer appointed by the City Council to run the day-to-day operations of the municipal government. Debbie L. Manns has held the position since June 2014, overseeing eleven city departments and a total budget of roughly $105.6 million for fiscal year 2025–2026.1City of New Port Richey. City Manager The elected council sets policy. The manager carries it out.
What the City Manager Does
New Port Richey uses a council-manager form of government. The City Council acts as the legislative body, adopting ordinances, levying taxes, authorizing bond issues, and approving the annual budget.2City of New Port Richey. City Council It then hires a professional manager to handle administration. The manager attends council meetings and takes part in discussion but does not vote.
Article III of the City Charter makes the manager responsible to the council for the administration of all city affairs placed under the manager’s charge.3City of New Port Richey. Ordinance Number 1354 – Charter Amendment Section 3.04 spells out the specific duties:
- Appointing, suspending, and removing city employees and administrative officers, with authority to delegate those hiring and firing decisions to department heads for their own subordinates.
- Directing and supervising all city departments, offices, and agencies.
- Keeping the council fully informed about the city’s financial condition and future needs.
- Making recommendations to the council on city affairs.
- Preparing and submitting the annual budget and capital improvement program.
The budget duty is the biggest single piece of the job. For fiscal year 2025–2026, total budgeted expenditures across all funds reached approximately $105.6 million, with over $25 million earmarked for capital expenditures and a proposed property tax rate of 8.2000 mills, a slight decrease from the prior year.4City of New Port Richey. FY 2025-2026 Second Proposed Budget The council reviews, revises, and ultimately adopts the budget, but the manager controls the drafting and shapes what the council sees first.
The eleven departments reporting to the manager cover Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, the Public Library, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Development, Police and Code Enforcement, Public Communications, Public Works, and Technology Solutions.5City of New Port Richey. Departments When something crosses departmental lines, the manager is the single point of coordination.
How the Manager Is Appointed and Removed
The City Council appoints the manager by a majority affirmative vote of all members. The appointment is for an indefinite term, and the council sets the compensation.3City of New Port Richey. Ordinance Number 1354 – Charter Amendment The charter requires the manager to live inside the city limits while in office, though the council can authorize temporary residence outside those boundaries for a set period.
Removal follows a defined procedure. The council first adopts a preliminary resolution by majority vote stating the reasons, and it can suspend the manager for up to 45 days during this period. The manager then has five days to request a public hearing, which must be held between 15 and 30 days after the request. The manager can also file a written reply at least five days before the hearing. After the hearing, or after five days if no hearing is requested, the council may adopt a final resolution of removal by majority vote, effective immediately. Salary continues until that final resolution passes.3City of New Port Richey. Ordinance Number 1354 – Charter Amendment
If the manager is temporarily absent or disabled, a designated administrative officer approved by the council can serve as acting city manager.
Who Is Debbie L. Manns
Debbie L. Manns began her career with the City of New Port Richey on June 2, 2014. During her tenure she has been involved in several major capital projects, including the Sims Park Improvement Project, the Recreation and Aquatic Center expansion, the Fire Station No. 2 Relocation Project, the Keiser University Project, a parking structure, a library improvement project, and the Residential Rental Housing Inspection Program.1City of New Port Richey. City Manager
Before coming to New Port Richey, Manns worked in public service for more than two decades in Michigan and Ohio, including city manager posts in other municipalities. Her professional background emphasizes community development and municipal finance. The current budget message describes priorities around fiscal sustainability, infrastructure preservation, environmental stewardship, and technology advancement, alongside the reduced millage rate.4City of New Port Richey. FY 2025-2026 Second Proposed Budget
How Residents Can Reach the Office
Council meetings where the manager presents budget updates, project reports, and policy recommendations are open to the public, and the council can hold hearings to gather information and air concerns from residents about the administration’s performance.2City of New Port Richey. City Council Public records from the city manager’s office or any department can be requested through the online portal run by the City Clerk’s office.6City of New Port Richey. City Clerk Because the manager is appointed by and reports to the council, raising a concern with council members is the direct route to influence how the office operates.