Punta Gorda advisory board recommends 12% annual water-sewer rate increases, urges council to pursue full impact-fee update

The Punta Gorda Utilities Advisory Board on July 28 recommended a 12% annual increase to water and sewer rates through 2029 and endorsed pursuing a full, immediate update to the city’s water and sewer impact fees using the statutory “extraordinary measures” process.

The recommendation followed a presentation from Danica, a manager with Stantec, who told the board, “we are recommending that, there's a rate increase of 12% annually through 2029, and that is required in order to meet the cost requirements.” The board voted unanimously to forward both the rate recommendation and the consultant’s proposal to city council for consideration.

The recommendation aims to cover a projected 10‑year capital plan that Stantec reported at about $197 million and an updated combined cost estimate of roughly $112 million for two major water projects first identified in the city’s water supply plan. The consultant said the proposed increases would hold a three‑month operating reserve (about $5 million) and avoid depleting operating funds by the late 2020s on the current forecast.

Why it matters: Punta Gorda’s capital needs include an expansion of the reverse‑osmosis (RO) plant, service‑water…