BRADENTON — County utilities staff are recommending that Manatee County Commissioners strongly consider increasing water rates over the next several years, after a new study showed a need for water rate hikes to maintain current services and meet future needs.
Inflation has significantly increased the cost of upgrades and expansion projects for Manatee County's utilities system since 2018. However, according to Utilities Director Patrick Shea, the rising costs of daily operational necessities like materials, chemicals, electricity, and labor have accelerated at an even faster rate than the increase in the county's capital improvement plan (CIP) investments.
11/5/2025
Aside from the rising cost of commodities, the rate of growth seen in Manatee County over the last decade has added further demand on utilities services and funds.
According to the most recent data, Manatee County Utilities’ total number of customer accounts grew by almost 29,000 between 2018 and 2025, an increase of 23.4%.
In this same timeframe, the local utilities system rehabilitated, replaced, or added just over 300 potable water mains, 370 wastewater mains, and 124 lift stations.
In addition, said Shea, “The CIP in just utilities has gone from just under $400 million for its five-year CIP in FY2015-2020 to $1.6 billion in CIP costs for FY2026-2030.”
Shea highlighted the current and long-term reputational stability and good financial standing of the Utilities Department: “We hold a very high bond rating. We do very well and meet our financial requirements.”
But, added Shea, for the department to continue providing quality water services to the citizens of Manatee County and maintain its good financial standing, rising costs and funding needs must be addressed.
New study data, presented to Manatee County Commissioners last week, show that fee increases applied over the next several years are likely necessary to meet those needs.
The presentations provided to commissioners covered two areas of Utilities funding and investment fees: the Facility Investment Fee and the User Rate Fee. The ladder of these two fees is the rate charged on individual consumers’ utilities bills for the water they use.
The county’s last rate study was completed in 2023, and the five years before that, the county’s water rates had not been adjusted or increased. The findings of the 2023 study led to a multi-year rate adjustment and a price index.
Proposed rate adjustments based on the current study data include an 8.75% per-year rate increase for five years, which would average out to about a $10 increase per monthly customer bill.
Manatee County Government
Throughout the work session, commissioners engaged with numerous detailed questions and/or provided feedback to staff. While the idea of raising rates for residents didn’t seem to be landing well with several commissioners, data presented by staff showed that even if the proposed increases were to be enacted by commissioners, Manatee County Utilities service rates would still be lower than the national average for most of the county’s residential customers.
Last week’s work session was for information sharing, discussion, and feedback. No actions were taken by the board.
The studies will be finalized, to include commissioner input from the work session meeting, and a public hearing will be scheduled for a date yet to be determined, where commissioners will further discuss the next appropriate action, and whether to approve any possible rate increases, and by what amount.
To replay the November 5, 2025, BOCC work session presentation on the Water & Wastewater Rate Study and the updated Facilities Investment Fee Study for 2026-2023, click the video below.
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David Daniels
I know I will be in the minority - but I think, in general, water rates are much much too low. Water is arguable our most precious commodity, our most precious resource. It should be priced in accordance with its value. If rates were in line with value, maybe we would not see so much waste. AT a minimum, we should have tiered rates with huge premiums charged as use goes above stepped thresholds. Also, since aquifers are a public resource (belonging to the state) governments should do more to protect them from abuse. Instead of just issuing a permit for a well and then allowing unlimited use of "our" water, commercial properties should have their use metered. Mosaic should have an aquifer meter. Lakewood Ranch irrigation should have an aquifer meter. West Coast Tomatoes should have an aquifer meter. FPL should have an aquifer meter.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Report this
sandy
As a widow and living alone in a mobile home my water/wastewater usage is pretty low. I didn't watch the workshop in its entirety. Did't see an increase in the base rates before usage charges. I may have just missed it. The base rates of water/wastewater have increased in the last 5 years so much that just paying base rates before usage rates being added to the bill is now more than my entire bill five years ago. I realize that there has to be improvement projects as the system gets older, new construction continues at the rate it has been. I am on a fixed income and this is a concern.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Report this
RRICH69176
Good point for aquifer meters-especially for Mosaic who has made HUGE profits raping the land and leaving huge amounts of pollution behind. Any entity who sucks huge amounts of water from the aquifers should pay their share.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Report this