Dade City commission approves solid-waste rate increase, first reading of Water Star ordinance and several contracts in 5-0 votes

The Dade City Commission voted unanimously on several ordinance, resolution and contract items at its February meeting, including adoption of a revised solid-waste rate schedule and first reading of a new Florida Water Star certification ordinance.

The actions together affect utility billing, downtown parking and the city's water-conservation and new-construction water-efficiency requirements. Commissioners recorded five ayes and no nays on each item in roll-call votes.

The commission adopted Ordinance 2025-01 on second reading to raise monthly residential solid-waste collection rates (the ordinance text specifies a new monthly charge and an adjusted deposit). During the public hearing a resident asked whether truck maintenance and past truck leaks had been resolved; staff replied those contract issues remain under separate negotiation and are not fully resolved. Finance officer Peter Altman explained the rate change reflects higher collection costs and a lingering shortfall; the commission said it will continue to monitor related contract and operational issues.

Also approved was Resolution 2025-06, the City of Dade City Water Conservation Plan 2025, described by staff as complementary to the city’s pending Florida Water Star ordinance. The commission recorded a 5-0 roll-call vote to adopt the resolution after a motion and second.

The commission also approved Agreement 2025-10, a contract for improvements to the Eighth Street parking lots. Commissioner(s) asked that staff include completion dates or notify the commission if project schedules change; staff said the project is short-term and expected to take weeks rather than months and that the vendor-signed contract did not include a multi-month schedule.

On public hearings the commission gave first-reading approval, 5-0, to Ordinance 2025-02, which would add a new section to city code establishing Florida Water Star certification requirements for new construction and providing an appeals process; staff reported representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SwiftMud) and the program consultant were available to work with city staff during implementation. Robin Grantham of the district said, "I'll work with you directly and get with your staff immediately once this passes."

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025-01 (solid waste collection fee schedule) — Outcome: adopted (second reading). Roll call: Mayor Black — aye; Mayor Pro Tem Normita Woodard — aye; Commissioner Church — aye; Commissioner Cosentino — aye; Commissioner Shive — aye. Vote: 5-0.

- Resolution 2025-06 (City of Dade City Water Conservation Plan 2025) — Outcome: adopted. Roll call: Black/Woodard/Church/Cosentino/Shive — all aye. Vote: 5-0.

- Agreement 2025-10 (Eighth Street parking lots contract) — Outcome: approved. Roll call: Black/Woodard/Church/Cosentino/Shive — all aye. Vote: 5-0.

- Ordinance 2025-02 (Florida Water Star Certification) — Outcome: approved on first reading; will return for second reading. Roll call: Black/Woodard/Church/Cosentino/Shive — all aye. Vote: 5-0.

- Appointment of Planning Board seat C-4 (Jonathan McCain Chaff) — Outcome: approved (ratified by roll call 5-0).

How the votes were recorded

Each item above was approved after a motion and second and recorded by roll call with five ayes and no nays. Where the transcript did not identify a mover or seconder by full name, the article records the commission's roll-call outcome rather than attributing the motion to a specific individual.

The commission flagged that when short-term construction projects change schedule staff should return to the commission; staff and commissioners agreed on the record to notify the board if project completion timing shifts.