Punta Gorda council adopts utility rate increases as officials say system repairs are urgent

The Punta Gorda City Council on a September meeting adopted an ordinance that raises water and wastewater utility rates and approved a separate fee increase for solid-waste pickup after staff and consultants said the city must fund major infrastructure projects.

City staff and the city—s water utilities director said the increases are required to fund repairs, expand treatment capacity and reduce the chance of recurring service failures. "If we don't make the repairs, that could be an ongoing or more frequent occurrence," Utilities Director Tom Senter said, describing past systemwide problems and a boil-water notice earlier in the year.

The council approved ordinance G A-08-2025 to raise water rates 5% across base and usage charges and to change wastewater billing so usage charges increase 116.7% (a change the city estimates will raise wastewater revenue by about 25%). Finance Director Kristen Semillon summarized the proposal to council: "The proposed ordinance provides water rate increases of 5% on all base and usage charges. And the wastewater increased to the usage charge only of 116.7%, which equates to an estimated increase of 25% in wastewater revenue." The ordinance was adopted after a public hearing and a motion; council members voted in favor and the motion carried.

Council members and residents pressed staff for clearer customer examples and public materials so residents could see how typical monthly bills would change. Councilmember Melissa Lockhart asked for specific tables by usage tier; several residents said circulating unofficial calculations had caused confusion. The utilities director said the city will post detailed tables and a story map explaining the high-priority water and wastewater projects. Senter noted the city had seen a roughly 26% increase in water demand over the past 13 years while allowed withdrawals from Shell Creek fell following new environmental limits, creating pressure for system upgrades.

Staff and council described parallel finance options the city will pursue to lower long-term costs, including low-interest State Revolving Fund loans and municipal bonds. Semillon said the city—s budget and capital-improvement plan were used to set the rate recommendations; she and council members said grant awards or low-cost loans later could reduce future rate increases.

The council approved the utilities ordinance after public comment and discussion. Councilmembers signaled they will provide six-month progress updates on project funding and continue pursuing grants and borrowing options to limit future rate pressures.