Groveland staff proposes 10-year update to utility rate and connection fee study; Raftelis task order estimated at $83,600

Transportation & Public Works Director T.J. Fish told the City Council on May 18 that staff is recommending an update to the 2024 utility rate and connection fee study performed by Raftelis. The proposed task order would extend the planning horizon from five to ten years, separately analyze potable water, wastewater and reclaimed water operations, and update connection fee methodologies and ordinances. The task order is presented as not to exceed $83,600 with deliverables targeted within approximately 120 days of notice to proceed.

Fish said the update will evaluate capital needs, customer usage trends, debt-service requirements and billing patterns and will explicitly consider wastewater treatment capacity, reclaimed water connection fees, and state revolving fund financing eligibility. "The study would incorporate audited and unaudited financial data, utility customer growth projections, debt obligations, meter replacement impacts, grant funding, and changes in customer usage patterns," Fish said.

Council members asked about timing and whether the update would incorporate meter replacement efforts, water loss reductions and cost allocation between systems. Fish said the study would separately analyze the three systems to identify where future costs and infrastructure needs are concentrated and noted wastewater infrastructure needs represent a significant long-term obligation.

The presentation outlined a three-phase scope (Project Initiation and data collection; reclaimed water and connection-fee updates; cost-allocation update) and listed key deliverables including draft and final reports, a 10-year financial forecast, and ordinance-review recommendations. Staff identified Joe Williams, Vice President at Raftelis, as the consultant lead and requested authorization to proceed under the existing professional services agreement if the council directs staff to do so; no formal authorization vote appears in the meeting record. A draft report was targeted for August 2026 to allow time for Council review prior to any future rate adjustments.