Sanford consultants recommend phased water and sewer increases to fund $296.8 million capital plan

Henry Thomas, Senior Vice President at Raftelis, presented the Sanford City Commission with a five‑year utilities rate study at the Oct. 27, 2025 work session recommending phased increases for water and wastewater to fund a $296,800,000 capital improvement program and maintain financial targets.

The study recommends smoothing increases now rather than deferring large increases later: a roughly 7% annual path for water and about 6% for wastewater under the current draft. Thomas said the city—s utilities are enterprise funds and that "98% of the recurring revenue for the system is derived through user rates." He told commissioners the recommended path aims to preserve liquidity and meet loan covenants while allowing annual review and adaptation.

The consultant described the CIP as…