OVIEDO, Fla. – Taxpayers in Oviedo have concerns about how the city will fund future projects.
The city of Oviedo is growing, and city officials say the current water treatment facility can’t keep up.
To build a new one, Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek said it’s going to take an estimated $70 million.
The city hopes to collect that money through water and sewer fees.
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On top of the $70 million, the city will also need $9 million from stormwater fees to enhance and maintain run-off, drainage and stormwater projects.
During Oviedo’s special council meeting on Monday, taxpayers gave their input about the city’s proposal to build a new water treatment facility and fix the stormwater system.
“Why are we not hitting up the developers — the people that are growing Oviedo the way it is — to take care of these bills? So I’m not the smartest person in the room, but I think there (has to be) be a better way,” a resident said.
Another resident did not think it was an issue, though.
“As citizens, if we believe that quality of life is important, then by all means, we have to fund it,” the resident said.
City leaders plan to pay for the new water treatment facility and storm water improvements with 30-year payment plans.
Mayor Sladek posted a chart on social media with different scenarios.
Over a 10-year period, taxpayers will see a slightly higher bill for two years then pay more than $400 water bill for one year.
Then, the price would drop and trend low moving forward.
Council member Natalie Teuchert wasn’t happy with the mayor for posting that chart on social media.
She called it “misinformation” and “fearmongering.”
“I think there’s a lot of people here tonight they’re out here because they’re worried and they’re angry... about something crazy that was never going to happen,” Teuchert said.
Mayor Sladek responded, saying that was a “big accusation.”
“When you look at the graph, not produced by me, it’s produced by people we hired to do the math,” Sladek said. “I think we owe it to our residents to say that out loud.”
During the meeting, the company contracted by the city also shared rate scenario comparisons to fix the stormwater system.
Without borrowing, initially, taxpayers bills will increase more than $13.
Then, the price would gradually rise until the end of the 10-year span.
If the city borrows, the bill would start off low and increase over time.
“Really, all we’re looking for tonight is debt or no debt,” one person on the contracted team said.
No decisions are being made right now, but the team executing the study now knows how to move forward.
Most council members leaned toward choosing a payment plan that includes borrowing money.
Monday, the council did vote to increase the millage rate, though they have solidified what that rate will be.
First, the council must hold two public hearings in September.
That money would go toward things like capital projects and first responders’ salaries.
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