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Homestead council approves first reading of stormwater fee increase after 17 years
Summary
On May 13, 2025, the Homestead City Council approved on first reading an ordinance to raise the stormwater utility fee from $3.37 to $6.00 per month (from $40.44 to $72 annually per equivalent residential unit), citing 17 years without a rate adjustment and federal permit requirements for system maintenance.
The City of Homestead City Council on May 13 approved on first reading an ordinance (CAR 4506) to increase the city’s stormwater utility fee, moving residential charges from $3.37 per month to $6.00 per month (from $40.44 to $72 per year per equivalent residential unit).
City Manager said the city has not adjusted the fee in about 17 years and described the change as necessary to fund maintenance and improvements to drainage, outfalls and related street infrastructure. “The city proposes to increase the stormwater utility fee from $3.37 a month to $6 a month,” the City Manager said during the presentation. He added the city’s internal calculation showed a need of $92 per ERU but the city is capping the proposed increase at the county rate of $72 per ERU.
The manager also said the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requires municipalities to maintain the stormwater system and to clean the system at least once every five years; he said Homestead is currently about 70% complete on recent work and aims to reach 100% before the hurricane season.
Council members asked for local problem-spot follow-up: Councilwoman Avila identified a recent flooding location near Kingman No. Farm Life School Road and Campbell Drive and asked staff to inspect it. Vice Mayor Fletcher asked for a future briefing on other city fees that have not been updated in years and noted the fee could change further if tied to CPI adjustments.
Vote and next steps: The council opened and closed the public hearing with no public commenters, then moved approval on first reading. The motion was moved by Councilman Cannonball and seconded by Vice Mayor Fletcher. Roll-call votes recorded: Cannonball — yes; Davis — yes; Roth — yes; Bailey — yes; Avila — yes; Fletcher — yes; Mayor Lawson — yes. The motion carried unanimously on first reading. The ordinance will return to council for a subsequent reading and final action.
Why it matters: The change increases the city’s recurring revenue for stormwater maintenance and brings the residential fee to the county’s current level, while staff continue to report NPDES compliance obligations and localized flooding priorities.
