Highland Park commission agrees not to charge $40 flat water service fee for lots without structures

At the Village of Highland Park’s Jan. 22, 2025 regular meeting, the commission agreed that vacant lots with active water meters should not be charged the $40 flat-rate monthly service fee.

City Manager Ric Busbee provided background and analysis on a question the commission had asked staff to research: whether the Village code or practice requires charging owners of lots that have a meter but no habitable structure. Commissioners discussed whether the Village code sets a required timeframe for rebuilding after demolition and whether the flat-rate fee should apply while a lot remains vacant.

Commissioner Derek Camann and Commissioner Amanda Updike pressed staff for clarification on enforcement and code timelines. Busbee told the commission he is coordinating a water study with the Florida Rural Water Association to examine water rates and grant opportunities and that the study will indicate what policy changes or fee adjustments may be necessary.

The commission’s consensus was that property owners should not be charged the $40 flat-rate service fee if there is no structure on the property. The meeting record does not show a formal vote on a new ordinance or fee change; commissioners treated the outcome as a policy consensus and asked staff to return with any ordinance language or formal recommendations informed by the water study.

Next steps: staff will incorporate findings from the Florida Rural Water Association study into any proposed changes to the utility billing policy and present recommendations during upcoming budget discussions.