Council adopts 2024 Level‑of‑Service report on reading amid calls for clearer next steps on stormwater and traffic

Council adopted the City of Naples’ 2024 annual Level‑of‑Service report on first reading Wednesday, approving the document and directing staff to return with implementation and mitigation proposals in the coming weeks. The measure passed 5–2.

The LOS report compiles department‑level monitoring under Chapter 48 of the Land Development Code and reports performance for potable water, wastewater, drainage/stormwater, solid waste, transportation and recreational facilities. Planning staff and department directors presented the data and answered extensive council questions about the meaning of the numbers and how they will feed policy choices.

Planning Director Jeff Brammer said the report is a required annual monitoring tool under the code and reflects where the city stands relative to adopted LOS standards. Public Works Director Bob Middleton and others told council potable water and wastewater systems currently meet the city’s adopted standards; stormwater and drainage remain the principal area of concern in several low‑lying basins, where road flooding persists in events above the city’s design standard.

Council debate focused on three themes: (1) whether the city’s adopted LOS standards remain appropriate after changes in local flooding and sea‑level projections, (2) how the city should prioritize expensive multi‑basin drainage projects that may total in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and (3) how to avoid unintended consequences if the city responds by reducing LOS standards or by halting development approvals in affected areas.

City Attorney Matthew McConnell emphasized that the ordinance before council is the informational LOS report; any changes to adopted standards or regulatory code will require additional, separate actions and likely comprehensive plan amendments. Council directed staff to return with more concrete mitigation options and to work with the comprehensive plan update consultant (Johnson Engineering) to align LOS expectations, CIP priorities and funding strategies. A follow‑up presentation to council was scheduled for May to provide options and an implementation sequence.

Councilmembers divided 5–2 on the first reading vote; Vice Mayor Hutchison and Mayor Heitman recorded the two dissenting votes and said they wanted more time and clarity before adopting the report on first reading. Other members said adopting the report keeps the city on schedule for required monitoring and launches a focused planning process to set actionable priorities.

Ending: Council adopted the 2024 LOS report on reading and directed staff to return with prioritization and funding options, including basin‑level implementation plans, for consideration during the comprehensive plan update and the FY2026 CIP cycle.