SANFORD, Fla. — Officials with the city of Sanford say they are looking to potentially increase its water and sewer utility prices to help cover rising costs and the maintain quality of the city's services.

What You Need To Know

  • Officials with the city of Sanford say they are considering an increase in water and sewer utility rates for residents

  • Any changes to utility rates would have to first be approved by the Sanford City Commission

  • The proposed changes will be discussed by the City Commission on Monday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m.

The potential utility rate increase would impact residential and commercial businesses. Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff says they are needed to keep up with inflation and support the city’s needs in providing quality utility services.

Jay Hill started his business, Jay’s Painting and Home Improvements, in 2013, and says his current water and sewer utility bill is about $80 a month.

“We stay busy," Hill said. "It’s just a lot cheaper at home to run my business, I have less bills because of that."

That is why the potential for increased utility rates is not something he is excited about.

The city of Sanford is looking to potentially increase utility rates which would affect water, sewer and reclaimed water used for sprinkler systems. 

Woodruff said a study found the current rates will not support the city’s needs in the future, and would need to be increased by about 7.5%.  

“Operational cost, the debt service cost, capital cost, do the rates support that? And what they found was over the next five years, the rates will not support everything we need to do," Woodruff said. "If we didn't do the rate increase, according to their forecast, within two years we would not have any — we would not be paying for any capital. We would only be using debt to do any capital work." 

Hill said that any increase in his utility bills would cause him to consider raising his prices as a business owner — something he hasn’t had to do in several years.

“I think they’re just following the trend of everybody raising everything," Hill said. "It's just not right. It’s already hard enough to live as it is and pay bills, and it’s just not right, I think."

The proposed changes will be discussed by the Sanford City Commission on Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. 

Utility rates cannot be increased unless they are approved by the City Commission. If approved, rate increases would go into effect on Nov. 1.