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Charlotte County weighs higher utility index, bond plans to pay for expansions
Summary
Consultants told Charlotte County commissioners a 10‑year utilities forecast can fund committed projects under an index approach but fully funding postponed capital needs would require large bond issues or steep rate jumps; staff recommended a minimum index floor and a July deep‑dive on fees and financing.
Murray Hamilton, vice president at Raftalis, told the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners that the utilities department can meet near‑term obligations under a modest indexing approach but would need bonds or sustained larger rate increases to fully fund postponed plant expansions and system upgrades.
In a 10‑year model presented to the board, Raftalis used the Florida Public Service Commission published index (2.23% for 2026) as the baseline. Hamilton said the county’s base case — which funds active and committed projects and Peace River purchase‑water obligations — is feasible under that approach, but funding a larger set of postponed…
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