Pinellas County staff: surface‑water fees won’t cover rising costs; board previously approved general‑fund supplement and scheduled increases

Pinellas County public works staff told the Board of County Commissioners on April 3 that the county’s surface‑water utility has met several program goals since the fee was adopted in 2013, but that current revenues will not keep up with rising costs and aging infrastructure unless rates are indexed or additional funding is provided.

The nut graf: Stantec’s consultant review and county program audits show improved asset management, watershed planning and permit compliance work since the fee’s adoption, but even with grants, interlocal agreements and past efficiencies the surface‑water fund’s forecast was described as “not sustainable” without significant adjustments to revenue or additional general‑fund support.

Public works director Kelly reviewed program history and outcomes. Staff and outside reviewers documented progress on watershed master planning, condition assessment of corrugated metal pipe (CMP) assets, an asset profile available through CityWorks, and revised inspection and maintenance practices. Kelly said 18 of 26 miles of old corrugated metal pipe have been addressed through lining or replacement and the county now maintains an online asset profile and water‑quality dashboard shared with cities and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

But Stantec…