Dade City residents can expect an increase in their water and sewer rates, effective on Nov. 1.
Dade City’s city commissioners approved a 2 percent water rate increase and a 6.5 percent sewer rate increase at their Oct. 10 meeting.
The vote was 4-1, with Nicole Deese Newlon voting against the increases.
Water customers on average use about 6,000 gallons a month, which means the increase will add about 35 cents to the monthly bill, said Leslie Porter, the city’s finance director.
The sewer fee increase will add about $2.25 a month to the bill, she said.
The total increase for water and sewer customers would be about $2.60 a month.
Porter said Dade City also supplies water to some residents outside the city limits. They can expect similar increases in their bills, she said.
The new rates will be applied over the next five years.
But, Porter said, “That will be re-evaluated each year.”
This is the city’s first increase in fees in about eight years.
A consultant hired by the city completed an “Annual Water Resources Rate Study,” and presented the results to city commissioners in September.
In recent years, the city has paid for major upgrades to its wastewater system, and the additional revenues will help to pay down the debt service.
The increased funds also will help with operating expenses for renewal and replacements, Porter said.
The study also recommended that the city add two water system employees.
For information on the study, visit Dadecityfl.com.
Published Oct. 18, 2017
