Pinellas Park council adopts ordinance updating water and sewer connection charges

The Pinellas Park City Council voted unanimously Aug. 22 to adopt Ordinance 42-70, revising potable water, reclaimed water and sanitary sewer utility rates and connection charges. Vice Mayor Seville moved to pass the ordinance on second and final reading; the motion carried unanimously.

City staff member Ryan presented the ordinance and the associated fee schedule, saying the update brings several connection charges under a single ordinance and clarifying the proposal is primarily intended for new taps and developers. "On this current slide, we're not proposing any changes," Ryan said while walking through the presentation, later describing the structure for connection charges.

Under the proposal presented to the council, connection charges would include up to 10 fixtures with an increased per-additional-fixture charge. Staff listed proposed flat rates of $2,060 for single-family residential connections, $1,643 per multifamily dwelling unit, $1,540 for a mobile-home space, and $2,060 for commercial/industrial buildings. If the city provides a tap, installation cost would be charged to the applicant with no minimum below $2,000. The presentation also noted that the per-additional-fixture charge would be $100 after the initial 10 fixtures (previously $70 in some categories).

During council questioning, members pressed staff on why single-family per-unit charges were higher than multifamily charges. Ryan explained multifamily developments often maintain private internal sewer infrastructure and that the fees target new developer taps rather than existing single-family residences. He agreed to re-check how subdivision-built infrastructure would be treated.

Public commenters raised questions about testing and certification for backflow and double-check devices tied to fire systems and about the apparent size of the proposed increases. Douglas Mitchell, a licensed fire sprinkler contractor who provided his name and address for the record, said electronic monitoring is common for some backflow preventers but that device testing "has to be done by somebody that is licensed with the proper equipment" and emphasized the need for certified technicians to produce testing reports. Resident Robert Boyer told the council the proposed figures "look like a really big hike" compared with the current schedule; staff responded the proposal was aimed at developers and new taps, and noted the fee schedule had not been comprehensively updated in decades.

Following public comment and brief discussion, Vice Mayor Seville moved to adopt Ordinance 42-70 on second and final reading; the council voted aye and the motion carried unanimously. The ordinance as presented will take effect per the ordinance's stated effective date.

The council did not provide a roll-call tally in the public record beyond the unanimous outcome. Staff said they would report back with clarifications about treatment of subdivisions and any specific ordinance language adjustments requested by the council.