Bradenton May Hike Water-Sewer Fees

BRADENTON – City residents may see a rise in their utility bills later this year.

In a workshop Wednesday, Bradenton city officials started talks on raising water and sewer fees by 3 percent and storm water fees by 25 cents. They say the fee hikes could help shore up the city’s enterprise fund, which faces close to a $1 million shortfall next year.

City officials say the declining number of homes receiving services – and successful water conservation campaigns in the past several years – have contributed to the deficit.

”We have not had an increase since 2008,“ said Dave Beauchamp, the city’s support services section manager. ”We have to recoup the losses we are incurring.“

The city serviced more than 15,000 accounts just several years ago, he said. Now, the city has about 13,800 accounts. That could be linked to the recession and struggling housing market in the area.

”But we still have a fixed account, and we still have fixed facilities,“ he said, referring to the water treatment plants and the risings costs to maintain one.

”We can’t continue to say we can live with it,“ said Carl Callahan, the city clerk. ”The enterprise fund has no reserves like the general fund. We’re not slipping too far behind. We can cover small slippages, but cannot do so over long period of time.“

If the rate increases pass, city residents won’t notice a dramatic change, Beauchamp said.

For example, a couple that uses 1,000 gallons of water a month, may see their bill go from $52.81 to $53.82, he said. Similarly, a family that consumes about 5,000 gallons of water a month would see a 2.5 percent increase in their overall bill, from $78.32 to $80.30.

City officials say they will also be more vigilant about enforcing solid waste pickup fees from residential and commercial properties.

On the same note, city officials have also agreed hold a town hall meeting on August 17, at 7 p.m., to discuss budgetary matters. A venue has not yet been set.

The meeting is to primarily discuss the city’s general fund, which draws revenue from property taxes and pays for salaries and benefits. In a meeting last month, city council members agreed to roll back the millage rate to offset the deficit caused by lowered property evaluations.

City officials say they want to hold a meeting to get feedback from residents on what their priorities are, as opposed to defending their proposed austerity measures.