SUBJECT
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Public Hearing to consider adoption of a Resolution approving proposed revision to the Utilities Division Schedule of Rates, Charges, and Fees.
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DESCRIPTION
The state water management districts responsible for protecting and maintaining water resources within the State of Florida have indicated that withdrawals from the upper Floridan aquifer, the traditional source of potable water in Central Florida, beyond the projected 2025 levels are unsustainable. To avoid negative impacts to waterbodies, future water supplies beyond the sustainable level must come from alternative water supply sources (each and all, an "AWS"). To address future water supply needs, the County, whether individually, through the Polk Regional Water Cooperative, or through the Water Cooperative of Central Florida, intends to undertake development of projects and initiatives (each, a "Water Project), as generally described in the interlocal agreements identifying cooperative projects among the participating government utility members.
To provide for future growth and maintenance of its existing water utility systems, Polk County must invest both in expanding these systems and in maintaining existing infrastructure to meet all regulations and customer demands. Polk County has developed a Community Investment Program to meet these needs. The program demonstrates that the capital and operating costs of AWS Water Projects are significantly higher than those of traditional groundwater source projects.
After the needs were developed, Polk County hired a rate consultant who determined that in order to meet the needs and remain financially viable, Polk County would need to adjust rates to create new sources of revenue by creating a base facility charge for reclaimed water customers and by charging the PWRI/AWS Surcharge on all reclaimed water usage, adjusting fees and charges to recover costs of providing services, indexing water and wastewater rates at 6 percent (6.0%) for f...
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