DELTONA, Fla. — Residents in the city of Deltona will see an increase in their stormwater and trash fee after commissioners voted to approve the proposal at a meeting Monday night.

What You Need To Know

  • Deltona city commissioners met on Monday night to discuss the increase of stormwater fees among other topics

  • In a unanimous vote, they approved a resolution to increase the current annual stormwater rate from $128 — adopted six years ago — to $170 per residential unit

  • According to the city, the impacts of hurricanes Ian and Nicole resulted in approximately 250 homes being flooded, roadways closed and unprecedented impacts on the stormwater infrastructure

  • Deltona City Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. said they are also looking at additional funding sources including grants to help offset the anticipated $50 million needed for stormwater projects

During public comment, several residents expressed their support for the increase, believing some stormwater infrastructure is in desperate need of fixing. 

“We have to do it right going forward, we have to do it right and we haven’t done that. We’ve kicked the can down the road,” Deltona resident Robin French said during public comment.

According to a presentation by Deltona City Manager Dale “Doc” Dougherty, the Stormwater Fund had been depleted due to previous failed votes, forcing commissioners to recently transfer $2.5 million from the General Fund.

“When we brought it up last year ... it was heavily taxing on the minds of our constituents, and we did not pass it again last year because of public pressure,” District 4 Commissioner Dana McCool said.

But this time, in a unanimous vote, the proposal passed.

“We hadn’t raised fees to meet those rising costs in six years, and so the can was kind of kicked down the road. I don’t think that any elected official wants to be the one to raise those fees, but we have to stop the buck here,” McCool said.

The current stormwater rate for Deltona residents is $128, which was adopted six years ago. The new annual rate will be $170 per residential unit. 

Deltona City Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. said they are also looking at additional funding sources including grants to help offset the anticipated $50 million needed for stormwater projects.

“It’ll take a couple of years to get us where we need to be. But I like my idea better of going through the Federal Government. It’s our taxes anyways, just try to get it back,” Avila said.

According to the city, the impacts of hurricanes Ian and Nicole resulted in approximately 250 homes being flooded, roadways closed, and unprecedented impacts on the stormwater infrastructure. 

“Infrastructure costs more the further it goes into disrepair, disarray. So, we really need to jump on these projects while we have this costing right now to save money,” McCool said.

The city said there is a need to upgrade and improve the stormwater infrastructure which in some areas is nearly 60 years old. 

“This will help mitigate and prevent some of these areas from being hurt as much as they were previously,” McCool said.

Commissioners also approved the increase of the trash fees, establishing an annual rate of $235.42 per residential unit for FY2024/2025 for Solid Waste Collection Assessments.

According to the resolution presented at the meeting, the new rates shall take effect immediately.