Council hears proposal to acquire private Ironwood water system; board buy‑in and assessment details must be resolved

City staff updated the Bradenton City Council on Sept. 24 about a pending request from Ironwood property owners to have the city assume ownership of a private water distribution system. The city would accept the system only after the infrastructure is brought up to city standards, staff said, and the Ironwood homeowners’ associations would be responsible for paying assessment costs under a proposed special assessment approach.

Staff said the existing system was built privately in the 1970s and is aging. The city engaged engineering consultants to condition‑assess the distribution network and prepared an estimate of likely construction costs to improve the system to city standards. Staff told council the cost would be recovered through a special assessment on the affected properties; initial estimates discussed in the meeting suggested assessment charges in the range of roughly $500–$600 per year per property for 15–20 years depending on final costs and financing options.

Council members stressed the need for broad buy‑in from residents and HOAs before the city would commit. The city attorney and staff asked for direction on the threshold of owner approval council would want to proceed — e.g., whether a supermajority of HOAs or building owners should be required. Staff recommended bringing HOA presidents and the master association’s representatives to a future meeting so the council could hear directly from property owners.

No council vote was taken. Council members asked staff to return with more detailed cost breakdowns, a proposal for the assessment vote threshold, and confirmation on fire‑safety and permitting implications for multi‑building properties.