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Sarasota County adopts water and wastewater rate changes tied to Peace River treatment expansion
Summary
Commissioners adopted a revised rate resolution after staff described the county's share of the Peace River surface‑water treatment expansion (estimated county share ~$337M) and the projected increase in annual debt service. Staff proposed a 6.4% water rate increase and adjustments to wastewater and billing policies to address the imbalance between water and sewer charges.
Sarasota County commissioners on Aug. 26 adopted an updated utility rate resolution that adjusts water, wastewater and related fees to reflect rising capital needs — most notably the county's share of the Peace River surface water treatment expansion.
Public Utilities Director Brooke Bailey explained the county is participating in a regional Peace River treatment project that will add an 18 million‑gallon‑per‑day facility; Sarasota County's estimated share of the project is roughly $337 million, which staff said would increase the county's Peace River debt service by about $30 million per year when fully phased in by 2030. To begin addressing the funding balance, staff proposed a 6.4% increase on the water side (in addition to the annual PSC price index adjustment) and maintained the previously adopted 5% wastewater adjustment tied to AWT program debt service.
Bailey said the county also simplified and reorganized the rate resolution to make it more customer friendly, consolidated rate tables by account type, tightened adjustment policies (moving to a 12‑month average consumption for adjustments) and updated fees such as lien search pass‑through costs and meter tampering penalties. Staff proposed raising repeat meter tampering and unauthorized connection penalties to discourage repeat offenders and allow criminal referral where willful tampering occurs.
Commissioners praised staff's presentation and acknowledged the long‑term water supply benefit of the Peace River participation while noting the short‑term rate impacts. The Board adopted the resolution and corresponding billing adjustment policy unanimously.
What happens next: Staff will implement the new rate schedule, reflect the adjustments in billing, and continue to brief the Board about Peace River project phasing, debt service timing and related budget impacts.
