Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Titusville consultant urges 6% water/sewer, 8% solid-waste and large stormwater increases to fund capital needs
Summary
A Santech Consulting study presented to Titusville council recommended a 6% water and sewer increase, an 8% solid-waste bump and a near-term 100% stormwater hike to close a capital shortfall; the consultant said the combined utility change would be roughly $20 per month for a typical bill and stressed continued annual review and grant-seeking.
Santech Consulting told the City of Titusville on July 28 that the city’s enterprise utilities face tight operations and unmet capital needs and recommended a mix of near-term rate increases and longer-term planning.
Consultant Peter Apley said a 6% scenario for water and sewer would preserve the city’s six-month operating reserve and debt-service coverage. He quantified the impact: “The 6% increase results in a monthly change of a dollar 94 to the water bill, which an annual on an annualized basis is about $23,” and said the sewer change would be about $4 per month (about $47 annually). Apley estimated the combined effect of the three utilities—water, sewer and others—at about $20 per month for a typical household.
On solid waste, the consultant recommended an 8% increase for FY27 to smooth vehicle-lease replacement costs, producing roughly a $1.50 monthly increase (about $18 per year), then 3% in subsequent years. For stormwater, Apley said the fund has substantial unfunded capital needs and proposed a near-term 100% increase to begin funding projects; he described that increase as an annual assessment of about $160 per parcel (about $13 per month) and said the plan assumes roughly $10 million of borrowing plus cash funding for other projects.
Council members pressed for detail on comparisons and assumptions. Council member Stockel asked whether the consultant had included both fixed and usage charges in peer comparisons; Apley confirmed the survey incorporated base and usage charges. Several members urged staff to aggressively pursue grants before finalizing rate shifts; staff said the stormwater master plan and concept designs are intended to improve grant competitiveness and that staff has budgeted $5 million in out-year stormwater projects contingent on funding availability.
The study’s modeling relies on a 10-year forecast and recurring reconciliation. Apley emphasized the projections should be revisited annually: “I would never tell a council to adopt this 10-year rate plan and forget it,” he said. Mayor and council did not take action during the special recognitions meeting; the presentations were informational and will be considered in future budget hearings.
