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Commission seeks legislative fix for 'septic-to-sewer' rules while pursuing state appropriation
Summary
Commissioners pressed staff and lobbyists on a draft legislative approach to allow Hollywood to finance and convert septic systems; lobbyists said staff confirmed the city is ineligible for the existing septic-to-sewer grant program, making a tailored appropriation or statutory change the appropriate next step.
Commissioner Biederman asked directly at the Dec. 10 workshop whether Hollywood is moving beyond discussion and toward filing legislation to change the city's authority on septic-to-sewer conversions. "Are we just talking about it, or are we gonna get a bill filed about it?" he asked.
Joseph Salazar of Grey Robinson said the city has moved past initial conversations and his firm is working with staff to flesh out a legislative package that can be shopped to legislative leadership and stakeholder partners. He told the commission that staff "confirmed that they are not eligible" for an existing septic-to-sewer grant program, which makes an appropriation request and a narrowly tailored statutory change a viable route.
Salazar warned commissioners that eligibility questions on new appropriation forms now ask whether requests are tied to other funding sources or to federally reimbursable disaster response (FEMA), and that those answers can affect whether an appropriation is considered. He recommended keeping project requests narrow and localized, seeking healthy local matches, and preparing robust design and permitting so projects are shovel-ready.
Commissioners discussed whether to pursue a local bill, coordinate with other cities (Miami, Kissimmee and others were mentioned as places with septic issues), or rely on the Florida League of Cities to build a coalition. Salazar said Hollywood is currently the main city advancing tailored legislation but that the firm will undertake stakeholder engagement to recruit partners.
No bill has been formally filed. Staff and the lobbying firm said they expect to finalize language and pursue either an appropriation or a statutory change depending on stakeholder appetite and legislative receptivity; commissioners asked staff to return with a more detailed draft and to prioritize coordinating with Broward and other municipalities where possible.
