Deltona commission approves revised fee schedule, water rates rise for average user

The Deltona City Commission voted 4–2 to adopt a revised master fee schedule that includes a water rate increase intended to close a shortfall identified by a recent rate study.

Mr. Parish, who presented the utility analysis to the commission, said the study found an approximate shortfall that required a funding adjustment and recommended a phased approach that avoids raising wastewater rates: “We’re not going to increase any wastewater rates. Zero increase on wastewater rates at all. On the water rate, it would be a 9.54% increase,” Parish said, adding that the average household bill (about $30 per month) would see an increase of roughly $2.28 per month.

The vote followed public comment from Jose Martinez of Lake Paton Estates, who said his April bill was $222.34 and urged the commission to consider communities with unusually high water charges before approving a rate change. Commissioners debated the distributional effects of a uniform water rate, the role of irrigation and high-usage customers, and whether privatizing the utility would produce different outcomes; staff cautioned that privatization can remove local rate control and cited examples of immediate double‑digit increases in other jurisdictions.

The commission and staff emphasized that the revenue will fund 19 capital improvement projects, ongoing repair and maintenance, and compliance requirements, and that maintaining a strong bond rating reduces borrowing costs. Commissioners asked staff to explore mitigation measures, including a future proposal for irrigation meters and targeted incentives for customers with high outdoor irrigation use.

Next steps: the adopted fee schedule takes effect on the date specified in Resolution 2026-24; staff said it will present implementation details, outreach and any targeted assistance options during upcoming budget workshops.