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Board schedules Sept. 2 public hearing on stormwater assessment; opts to advertise modest maintenance increase
Summary
County staff recommended no capital rate increase now due to additional CDBG‑DR and CIP funding, but asked the board whether to add $2.7 million for increased maintenance; the board voted to advertise a maintenance increase that would raise the medium residential assessment from $86.49 to $92.58 and scheduled a Sept. 2 public hearing (motion carried 6‑1).
Hillsborough County staff on June 17 presented an updated stormwater rate study and recommended the board schedule a public hearing to consider rate options for the annual stormwater assessment. The county's consultant (Raftelis) and Black & Veatch'informed analysis showed capital needs largely covered by current CIP and additional CDBG‑DR grants, so staff did not recommend a capital rate increase at this time. On the maintenance side, staff said an expansion of routine operations (mowing, ditch and pipe clearing, canal slope mowing and inlet clearing) by about 15 percent would require roughly $2.7 million from the stormwater assessment.
That maintenance funding option would increase the medium residential assessment from $86.49 to $92.58 annually — roughly $6.50 per year. Staff also presented a scenario showing that, if the $20 million general‑fund supplement to stormwater operations were eliminated, the assessment would need a much larger increase (to roughly $131–$137 annually) to compensate. The consultant advised against using stormwater impact fees, concluding recurring assessments better match system needs.
Following discussion, the board voted to advertise the maintenance assessment option (the $92.58 medium residential level) and schedule the required public hearing for Sept. 2; the motion passed 6‑1 with Commissioner Cameron Cepeda voting no. Staff said notices to property owners will go out in July and that the hardship exemption program for qualifying low‑income property owners remains available.
The board directed staff to proceed with notices and to return with hearing materials on Sept. 2.
