Largo commission approves multiple utility rate increases, budget amendments and annexation; recreation fee changes advance

The Largo City Commission on Tuesday approved a package of ordinances that will raise several utility fees, adopt budget amendments including funds for hurricane recovery, and annex a commercial property into the city.

Among the most immediate impacts, the commission adopted a 10% solid-waste rate increase (Ordinance 2025-27) and a 5% wastewater rate increase (Ordinance 2025-28) that takes effect Oct. 1, 2025. City staff told commissioners the wastewater change is expected to generate about $2 million for fiscal 2026; a typical residential customer using roughly 4,000 gallons would see an estimated $2.41 monthly increase, with customers at the 10,000-gallon cap seeing about $3.61 more per month. The stormwater utility rate was also increased by 15% (Ordinance 2025-29), an action staff said will generate roughly $1.8 million and raise the average residential bill by about $2.31 monthly.

“Option 2 is a 10% rate increase,” staff said when presenting the solid-waste ordinance; staff also summarized wastewater and stormwater impacts and answered commissioner questions on how the new revenue would be used for operating costs, capital improvements and debt service. The wastewater ordinance passed 5-2 on final reading; the stormwater increase passed 6-1. The solid-waste ordinance passed unanimously, 7-0.

The commission also adopted several budget amendments. A third-quarter budget amendment (Ordinance 2025-30) added $694,900 for projects including Largo Central Park restroom site work, traffic collars, and consultant services. Separately, the commission approved a $6,992,675 amendment for hurricane recovery expenditures (Ordinance 2025-31) to cover contractual obligations, overtime and other response costs. City staff said FEMA reimbursements are being pursued but cautioned that not all expenses are recoverable; staff indicated about $5 million has been programmed in solid waste for FY26 related to recovery efforts.

On land use, the commission adopted Ordinance 2025-12 annexing a commercial parcel at 1350 Starkey Road and assigned it an Industrial Limited land-use designation. The annexation passed on second and final reading with a unanimous 7-0 vote.

The commission also authorized the city manager to file a notice of intent to withdraw from Public Risk Management of Florida (PRM) while staff evaluates the feasibility of a stand-alone insurance program. Catherine Simpkins, the city’s risk manager, said the notice preserves the city’s options and that staff will return in September with recommendations. The resolution (No. 2442) passed 7-0.

Recreation fees and user charges were the subject of a separate ordinance (Ordinance 2025-34). Staff proposed updated membership and rental fees, a new nonresident childcare membership, and the creation of a reserve fund to capture a small portion of user fees for future capital improvements. The commission approved first reading and scheduled a second reading and public hearing for Sept. 2, 2025; the vote on first reading was 6-1.

Public comment at the meeting included criticism of recent civic buildings and a plea that the City Hall redevelopment reserve substantial green space. Mark Luther told commissioners he was alarmed by the new City Hall’s glass façade and warned about climate impacts; Craig Murtha urged that one-third of the 14-acre site be reserved for green space and that developers expand on-site stormwater capacity.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2025-12 (annexation of 1350 Starkey Road): adopted, vote 7-0. - Ordinance 2025-27 (solid waste rate increase — Option 2, 10%): adopted, vote 7-0. - Ordinance 2025-28 (wastewater rate increase, uniform 5%): adopted on final reading, vote 5-2. - Ordinance 2025-29 (stormwater rate increase, 15%): adopted on final reading, vote 6-1. - Ordinance 2025-30 (third-quarter budget amendment): adopted, vote 7-0. - Ordinance 2025-31 (hurricane recovery budget amendment, $6,992,675): adopted, vote 7-0. - Resolution 2442 (notice of intent to withdraw from PRM): approved, vote 7-0. - Ordinance 2025-34 (recreation, parks and arts fee changes): approved on first reading, second reading scheduled Sept. 2, 2025; vote 6-1.

What comes next Staff will return with further analysis on the insurance review in September. The recreation fee ordinance will return for a second reading and public hearing on Sept. 2, 2025. The City Hall site and other capital projects flagged during the meeting will be discussed further during upcoming CIP and budget workshops where staff said they will recommend priorities.