Commissioners press staff on high Deltona sewer tiers; rate study scheduled

Commissioners pressed staff on Deltona’s current water and sewer rate tiers during the July 14 workshop, saying higher tiers are producing unexpectedly high bills for some residents.

John McKinney, finance director, said staff are working with a rate consultant and that proposed changes would be phased in; he told the commission the water‑sewer rate consultant’s work would be presented for implementation Jan. 1, 2026. "We're looking to bring to the commission in September, October the water sewer, rate consultant... that will be brought to you for implementation January first of 26," McKinney said.

McKinney provided the current tiered structure in response to commissioner questions: "The first 5,000 gallons is $2.53 per thousand gallons. From 5 to 10,000 gallons is $5.11 per thousand gallons. 10 to 20,000 gallons is $8.97. It's the 20,000 gallons and above that $17.98 a (per) thousand gallons," he said. Several commissioners described bills that spike when customers hit the highest tier and asked staff to look for regional comparators and customer‑support options such as leak relief.

Commissioner Lully said he would not support moving to a flat fee to equalize bills, arguing that would raise bills for low‑usage customers; McKinney and other staff said the consultant will analyze both rates and cost‑recovery strategies. Staff said the study will recommend rates that fund operations and capital needs and that, based on initial consultant advice, maintaining operations and paying for future capital will likely require increases without major operational changes.