Polk County moves to raise connection fees, set septage receiving rate at $0.15/gal

Polk County Utilities Director Kim Richardson presented proposed revisions to the Utility Division schedule of rates, charges and fees on July 21, telling the board staff had completed a rate sufficiency study to update the 2024 adjustments. The package included five measures: higher connection (capacity) fees, raising reclaimed irrigation rates closer to potable rates to encourage conservation, establishing septage receiving at $0.15 per gallon, and continuing previously adopted indexing on other rates for two additional years.

"These proposals include 5 different measures. 1, to increase our capacity or, connection fees. ... and then also it's establishing the rate for the septage receiving at 15¢ a gallon," Richardson (speaker 17) said. Commissioners asked for background on reclaimed water usage and projects to transfer reuse water to other service areas. One commissioner (speaker 10) voiced skepticism about raising rates immediately: "I'm not for raising our rates... we need more discussion to make me satisfied." Staff answered that one large reclaimed‑transfer project (northwest to Haines City) has design funded with federal dollars but is not yet fully funded for construction, and that the septage receiving facility is expected to begin receiving trucks for seeding in August with final completion targeted in September.

The board moved and approved the rate revisions by voice vote during the meeting record; commissioners asked staff to provide additional discussions and follow‑up on connection fees and long‑term impacts to customers before broad implementation.