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Auburndale adopts comprehensive-plan amendment after study finds septic-to-sewer conversions not feasible
Summary
The City Commission unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 1796, updating the Capital Improvement and Infrastructure elements to reference a completed septic-to-sewer feasibility study and to require new development to connect to sanitary sewer when available. The study estimated converting 20 private subdivisions would cost $119.6 million and is not feasible within a 10-year horizon.
Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert and the Auburndale City Commission on May 19 adopted Ordinance No. 1796, which amends the city’s Comprehensive Plan Capital Improvement and Infrastructure elements to address the feasibility of converting septic systems to sanitary sewer.
Community Development Director Julie Womble told the commission the ordinance responds to Florida House Bill 1379 and incorporates a feasibility study completed April 25, 2025. The study screened conceptual collection systems for 20 private subdivisions and concluded none were feasible within a 10-year planning horizon, in part because accommodating the additional flow would require significant upgrades and extensions to the city’s sewer infrastructure and additional external funding.
Womble said the study estimated the cost to convert the 20 private subdivisions to sewer at $119.6 million; when Mayor Taylor Bogert asked, Womble confirmed, “That is correct.” The ordinance also updates outdated level-of-service standards, requires that new development connect to sanitary sewer when available, and requires dedication of public sewer collection facilities to the city for new development.
Womble said the completed Septic to Sewer Feasibility Study was sent to the Department of Environmental Protection on April 25, 2025, and DEP indicated it had no further comments for adoption and that the study met the requirements of HB 1379.
The Planning Commission recommended approval (6–0, Aug. 27, 2024), and staff recommended the ordinance. Commissioner Jordan Helms moved approval on second and final reading and Commissioner Keith Cowie seconded; the commission voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 1796.
The ordinance’s changes are administrative updates to the Comprehensive Plan and do not themselves appropriate funding for sewer expansions. Womble and staff said the city has not budgeted sewer connections for private subdivisions in the current 5-year Capital Improvement Plan and that additional external funding would be required for design and construction if conversions are pursued in the future.
