City Residents and Officials Question Proposal to Automatically Increase Water and Sewer Rates

by James Coulter

 A private consulting firm has recommended that the city automatically increase its water and sewer rates annually, yet city residents and officials are questioning the wisdom of that proposal.

At their regular meeting on Mon. Aug 26, Winter Haven City Commissioners considered two ordinances related to proposed increases to water and sewer rates and fees, all of which could automatically be increased annually.

 The first ordinance proposed increasing the residential utility service rate for water by 2.5% and 7.5% for sewer, with rates “for other uses should rise annually in accordance with general water and wastewater industry rate standards,” wrote Gary M. Hubbard, Water Department Director in the city agenda memo.

The second ordinance likewise proposed increasing connection fees from $1,669.50 to $3,671.25 for water and from $4,196.50 to $8,175.00 for sewer. As for the special South Industrial Service Area Connection Fee Zone covering industrial development south of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, these connection fees would increase from $962.00 to $2,730.75 for water and an increase from $3,454.00 to $7,000.00 for sewer.

Both ordinances would also set these rate and fee increases to occur annually. Water and sewer rates would increase automatically every Oct. 1 “without the need for further advertisements or public hearings”, while connection fees would increase on Jan. 1.

These recommendations for automatic rate and fee increases were made by Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., a private consulting firm hired by the city to study its water and sewer system. Their study recommends that “revise its current rate schedule for the uniform system of water, sewer, and reclaimed water service rates, fees, and charges,” Director Hubbard wrote.

City Commissioners did not vote for either ordinance, both of which will be brought for a second reading and vote at the next city commission meeting on Mon. Sep. 10. However, the proposal to automatically increase water and sewer fees and rates raised concerns among a few residents and city officials.

One resident, Victoria DeCostio, spoke during public comments. She mentioned the necessity for clean water and raised concerns about the alleged levels of fluoride in the city’s water and arsenic in the natural water. As such, she felt it necessary to question “where our water is coming from.”

Moreover, she raised concern about the proposal to automatically increase rates and fees “without the need for further advertisements or public hearings.” She feared such a change would remove transparency from the city’s operations.

“That is insane,” she said. “The world changes every day and we have all these new housing developments coming in…And by taking the water away, there is no public discussion about increased water rates. What is the root cause [of this problem]? Where is the water coming from? And why is there a need to even increase the water [rates and fees]? That is why I came to these basic questions. The problem with the world today is that people are not asking basic questions.”

 Commissioner Brad Dantzler raised two questions about these ordinances. First, did the consulting firm do any research to determine if these changes were feasible? And, second, were these ordinances consistent with existing or new laws?

City Manager T Michael Stavres understood the concern and passion of existing residents. He assured Commissioner Dantzler that the city would do everything to ensure these rates do not negatively affect the “everyday consumer.”

 “By adjusting the connection fees accordingly and having new development pay its fair share, we can do so and keep those costs for everybody, whether they are building a new home or not,” he said. “I think it is important to know and keep costs as low as possible for the everyday consumer. That is the positive outcome of that.”