The City of Sanford is considering a rate increase for utility bills. The city says these costs will help cover rising costs and maintain the high quality of its services. The change is recommended by a utilities financial consultant, Raftelis, hired by the City, who studies the City of Sanford’s revenues and expenses.
The City posted a statement to social media hoping to inform the public and give them the most important details. “To keep up with inflation, we are proposing a 2.89% increase to water, sewer and reclaimed water rates based on the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI).” Along with this, they are also considering an “additional 6.11% increase for water, a 3.11% for sewer services, and a 3.11% increase for reclaimed water services. The city said these additions are also to ensure they’re able to continue to improve the infrastructure of Sanford.
The topic is set to be discussed at the upcoming city meeting and no changes to utility rates will be made until official approval by the City Commission on October 14th. Also, a notice with rate increase details will be included in residents’ upcoming utility bills.
According to the post, If these adjustments are approved, the average utility bill for 6,000 gallons of water and sewer per month, currently $80.74, would see an overall increase of 7% to $86.34.
The lowest usage rates seen will increase from $40.74 to $43.62, this includes a bill for 2,000 gallons of water and sewer per month.
Mayor Woodrfuff posted a diagram to give residents more details. “You know I like to dig in and try to understand and explain, especially when it is someone else's money,” the mayor wrote. “I think this chart best explains why the consultants are recommending the increase.” Over the next five years, expenses for things like chemicals and electricity are going up, but debt payments are staying steady thanks to low-interest loans from the state. The mayor says the real issue here is repairs and replacements—things that were neglected back in the '70s through the '90s. The chart posted shows those rates continuously rising.
He continued his post stating that if these problems don’t get handled now, “by 2028 we will only be able to operate and pay debt. There will be no money for repairs, replacement, or improvements.”
