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Winter Springs approves interim stormwater fee increase to $10 per ERU after heated debate
Summary
The commission voted to raise the stormwater management fee to $10 per ERU, effective June 1, 2025, to cover maintenance and capital needs. Debate highlighted competing views on whether the city should find cuts elsewhere or raise revenue now; the measure passed 4-1.
The City Commission voted to raise the city’s stormwater utility fee to $10.00 per equivalent residential unit (ERU), effective June 1, 2025, approving the first-reading ordinance after extended public comment and commissioner debate.
City staff and the city’s stormwater consultant described a structural shortfall in the stormwater enterprise fund and a backlog of projects. David Hamstra, the city’s stormwater engineering consultant, told the commission the city currently has roughly $12 million to $14 million in projects at various stages — from design through bid — and several grant-funded efforts that require local matching and/or cash flow. “We have 11 projects underway at various levels totaling roughly $12,000,000,” Hamstra said.
City Manager Kevin Sweet told the commission that, based on preliminary FY2025 projections and pending final FY2024 numbers, the stormwater utility’s revenue fell well short of operating expenses — staff estimated a revenue shortfall equal to roughly 71% below operating expenses under the current rate. Staff said the $10 interim rate is intended to stabilize the fund while a comprehensive rate study continues; the city manager said a full consultant rate study is expected later this year and may result in further changes.
The ordinance was read in full at the meeting. Section 2 sets the ERU stormwater management utility fee at $10.00 per ERU; section 6 establishes an effective date of June 1, 2025.
Public speakers included residents from neighborhoods that have experienced repeated flooding. Leah Weisman and other residents described recurring street and backyard flooding and urged the commission to act. Several speakers who live in homeowners associations noted they already pay HOA assessments for pond maintenance and said a citywide fee would not relieve HOA responsibilities.
Opposition during the dais centered on whether the commission had other budget options. Commissioner Paul Diaz argued the commission should try to identify a million dollars of savings in the general fund rather than impose a new fee immediately; he voted against the item. Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick, who sponsored the motion, said the city had deferred maintenance for years and had used federal grant money in piecemeal ways that did not pay for ongoing operations: “We can’t keep asking FEMA to clean our creeks,” Resnick said, adding that maintenance funding was needed to prevent repeated home losses during storms.
The motion to approve the ordinance on first reading was made by Deputy Mayor Resnick and seconded by Commissioner Victoria Bruce. The vote was 4-1 (Resnick, Caruso, Bruce, Baker yes; Diaz no).
Why it matters: City staff say the increase is needed to fund maintenance, equipment, and capital repairs to creeks, ponds and culverts after repeated storm damage and a two‑decade period without a rate adjustment. The measure is an interim step while staff completes a formal rate study that could recommend additional increases.
What comes next: The $10 rate goes into effect June 1, 2025, at the start of the next full utility billing cycle. Staff will continue the rate study and return with longer-term recommendations; the commission may adjust rates again based on that work.
