Longwood residents and commissioners press Sunshine Water Services over wastewater rates

Jonathan Brown, a Longwood resident, told the commission on June 16 that his wastewater charge from Sunshine Water Services was ‘‘$65.95 a month’’ and that the fee ‘‘is more than my entire water bill.’’ Brown said other Longwood residents he had spoken with saw wastewater charges closer to $30 and asked the commission to review Sunshine’s pricing.

The commission discussed the complaint during its public-comment and commissioner-report sections. Deputy Mayor Schumacher said the city has tried to buy Sunshine Water Services and that staff continue to raise residents’ concerns with the company. Commissioner McMillan suggested filing a complaint with the Florida Public Service Commission if appropriate. Mayor Brian Sackett said he wants a Sunshine Utilities representative to appear at a July meeting to explain the rates and the company’s infrastructure claims.

Staff did not present a formal proposal or ordinance at the meeting. Commissioners described the matter as an ongoing customer-relations and rate concern rather than a matter the city could immediately resolve without additional investigation or potential purchase negotiations. The mayor said one side of town has roughly 2,000 customers served by Sunshine Utilities who pay roughly double the wastewater charge of other Longwood customers and asked staff to seek a company representative to appear at the next meeting in July.

Commissioners and members of the public described two discrete next steps: (1) continue to press Sunshine Utilities for answers and (2) explore regulatory or collective complaint routes if higher-level action is needed. No formal motion or vote was taken on utility rates at the meeting.