Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City agrees to DEP in‑kind settlement and moves forward on SCADA replacement, tank repairs and rate correction
Summary
City utilities staff on Nov. 3 reported a negotiated in‑kind settlement with Florida DEP valued at a minimum of $1,254,783 and requested multiple actions to address infrastructure and compliance: a corrected wastewater minimum rate for small meters, a SCADA software purchase, an increased Fastenal PO, and replacement of leaking hypochlorite tanks.
City staff told the City Council on Nov. 3 that they had negotiated a revised settlement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) related to wastewater discharges under OGC file 25‑1120. The proposed settlement removes a portion of a cash penalty by substituting completion of an in‑kind project with a minimum value of $1,254,783. Interim Public Utilities Director Mike Flanagan said the city self‑reported spills and has been working to upgrade systems to prevent future incidents; staff will submit proposed in‑kind projects to DEP for review and approval.
At the same meeting, staff asked the council to adopt on first reading an ordinance correcting the minimum monthly wastewater collections rates for customers with meters under 1‑inch. Flanagan said an error resulted in the rate being lowered to $34.73 effective Oct. 1 when it should have been increased to $40.74; the ordinance corrects the rate with an effective monthly increase of $6.01 for most residential customers beginning Dec. 1, 2025.
The council also approved procurement items for utility infrastructure: Trihedral VTScada software and licensing for SCADA monitoring and control (initial purchase $199,079.75 plus annual support), an increase to the Fastenal company purchase order for citywide maintenance/repair/operations supplies, and a contract award to Lindmark Construction to replace two leaking sodium hypochlorite tanks at the northeast water reclamation facility. Staff said funds were available and that the SCADA upgrade, tank replacement, and rate correction are intended to improve reliability and regulatory compliance.
