ORLANDO, Fla. – The city of Orlando wants to increase stormwater fees for residents starting later this year.
“It’s ludicrous. It’s not fair; it should not be done,” an Orlando resident said.
Here’s a breakdown of the projected rates for a typical single-family home:
The increase change in the monthly fee would be $3.50.
So in fiscal year 2025, residents would pay $13.49 a month.
In 2026, they would be $16.86 a month.
In 2027, residents would pay $20.23 a month — and $21.24 a month in 2028.
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News 6 reporter Treasure Roberts on Wednesday sat in a meeting with residents who asked why they had to pay more money, and why now.
City leaders said the service fees will be used to fund the operation, construction, and maintenance of stormwater management devices, the stormwater system planning, and lake management.
This isn’t a new fee; it has been around since 1989 — used to address the challenges of stormwater runoff, pollution, and flooding.
The last time they adjusted stormwater rates, though, was in 2008.
The city has grown a lot since then, so city leaders said they now need to re-evaluate the rates to cover costs and be prepared for the future.
However, residents question why city officials are cramming the payments into four years.
“We have to do this because we have to cover our deficit that we have right now of $17 million in our stormwater fund,” a city leader said.
Luis Vazquez, an Orlando homeowner, said these extra payments are going to put a strain on his golden years.
He feels like the city mishandled its finances and left residents responsible.
“That is just what went on over here,” Vazquez said.
This service fee will be discussed again at the next Orlando City Council meeting on May 13.
If the proposal passes, it will go into effect in October 2024.
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