Oldsmar approves $3 annual increase to stormwater utility fee to fund unfunded projects

The Oldsmar City Council voted Wednesday to adopt Resolution 2025‑19, increasing the city’s stormwater utility fee by $3 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) per year. Cindy Neno, Director of Administrative Services, told the council the increase would generate roughly $3,430,000 in additional annual revenue, with about 40% expected from residential accounts and 60% from commercial property charges. Neno said the city’s low elevation and proximity to Tampa Bay make stormwater management critical and that the fee increase will help pay debt service, immediate capital projects and multiple currently unfunded projects identified in the stormwater master plan. “The $3 per year increase will help the city prepare for all these upcoming costs, including those identified through the stormwater master plan,” Neno said. Staff presented a five‑year capital improvement program that included more than $5.6 million in stormwater projects, with next year’s programmed projects exceeding $1 million. Council approved the resolution by voice vote; the increase will be reflected in utility bills per the schedule in staff’s presentation and is intended to keep the city’s rate roughly mid‑pack with nearby municipalities. Council did not receive public comment on the item at the hearing.