ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando leaders are considering increasing the annual stormwater utility fee to help maintain and improve the city's infrastructure.

The fee helps address various stormwater, flood control and water quality improvement projects throughout the city, as well as maintain infrastructure and lakes. Rates are calculated depending on how big a resident’s property or business is.

What You Need To Know

  • Orlando leaders say they are considering increasing the city's annual stormwater utility fee

  • The fee helps address various stormwater, flood control and water quality improvement projects throughout the city, as well as maintain its existing infrastructure and lakes

  • Lifelong Orlando resident, Lloyd Murphy, said he isn't happy with the potential increase

  • There will be a stormwater utility rate increase community open house at 5 p.m. on May 8 to allow residents to get more information on the possible increase

Lifelong Orlando resident, Lloyd Murphy, is no stranger to storms in Central Florida. During Hurricane Ian, his home in Azalea Park unexpectedly flooded, causing thousands of dollars worth of damages to his property.

“I’ve been through Hurricane Donna and other hurricanes," he said. "I think Donna was about the worse one we had back in (19)60. But we never had this amount of rain."

Earlier this month, Orlando residents received a letter in the mail about the possible stormwater utility fee increase.

Over the past decade, city officials say a number of factors have placed a demand on the current stormwater infrastructure, including community growth and multiple storm systems that brought unprecedented, historic rainfall and flooding.

They said the fee increase will help Orlando maintain its existing infrastructure and lakes to continue to serve the growing community.

Murphy, though, was not thrilled. 

“No. Heck no," he said. "Why should I have to pay for something that should have been taken care of through the city, anyway? The city and the county should have taken care of this years ago."

Murphy said he’s seen problems in his Azalea Park community — especially after Hurricane Ian. As he scrolls through past photos of damage from the storm, he said it reminds him of a traumatic time.

“That’s the front room where I’m standing with water going out the front door," he said of one photo. "My foot’s there in it. I was flabbergasted.”

Orlando officials say on an annual basis, the Stormwater Division does the following: 

  • Monitors water quality in 80 city lakes
  • Maintains 84 retentions ponds and 86 control ditches
  • Manages 50 weir board water control structures
  • Sweeps 81,517 mile of streets, and collects 34,610 cubic yards of debris
  • Maintains 49,616 inlets and structures associated with stormwater, 548 inlet baskets, 1,060 miles of stormwater pipes and 4,055 outfall pipes that discharge into lakes and ponds

There will be a stormwater utility rate increase community open house at 5 p.m. on May 8 for residents who want more information on the potential rate increase.