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Utility advisory board approves proposed fiscal‑2027 utility budgets and rate adjustments
Summary
The Winter Park Utility Advisory Board approved the proposed fiscal‑2027 water, wastewater and electric budgets and accompanying rate adjustments after staff said the plans are balanced and some clarifications were requested. The board asked follow‑up questions about personnel reporting, undergrounding costs and CIAC projections.
The Winter Park Utility Advisory Board on June 23 approved the proposed fiscal‑2027 utility budgets and the rate adjustments staff recommended, including a 4.46% increase for the water and wastewater budget and a non‑fuel increase for electric rates.
Wes, the staff presenter, told the board the combined water and wastewater budget totals $44,333,079 and that the 4.46% request reflects costs that exceed the inflation index Winter Park has historically used. “So we’re requesting a 4.46% increase in that budget,” Wes said. He explained a change in accounting that moved some crew labor for main upgrades from personnel expense into capital upgrades, which lowers the reported personnel line without reducing head count.
Board members pressed for clarifications before finalizing the details. Questions included why inside‑city water costs differ from outside‑city charges (staff said more outside customers remain on septic and pay different fees), how many city customers remain on septic (a board member estimated 1,600), and what is driving a projected jump in other operating revenues for electric. Staff said some revenue variance stems from timing of CIAC (contributions‑in‑aid‑of‑construction) receipts and that inventory will be used to reduce next year’s working capital needs.
Jamie, representing electric operations, said planned staffing increases are phased and tied to the city’s cost‑of‑service study, which staff expect to complete in September. “The staff levels that we’re looking to mature are going to be cascaded over the next several years,” Jamie said.
The board voted to approve the proposed budgets and rate adjustments with requested clarifications provided after the meeting. The motion passed on a voice vote with none recorded in opposition.
What happens next: staff will provide the clarifications requested by board members and the city manager will present the proposed budget and capital improvement plan to the city commission on July 8. The commission’s tentative property‑tax millage adoption is scheduled for July 22, and public hearings on the budget are expected in September.
Meeting action: The board’s approval was a recommendation to the commission; final adoption of the full city budget and any legally required rate‑setting steps are governed by the city commission’s proceedings.
