Title
Vote to approve an ordinance adopting water System Development Fees effective March 1, 2025
Abstract
Introduction & Background: As part of the FY 2024-2025 Budget Ordinance, the Board of Commissioners approved an increase in the Utility System Development Fee (SDF) rates upon the completion of the required third-party SDF study. As part of the potential utility merger with the City of Sanford (TriRiver), the County has been asked to increase our SDF rates to be more in line with SDF rates within the City of Sanford/TriRiver’s current customer base.
Discussion & Analysis: The Board of Commissioners approved an increase in the utility System Development Fees as part of the FY2024-2025 Budget Ordinance; these fees were increases from the prior SDF rates, but the new rates were not set at the maximum determined by the third-party engineer who completed the County’s SDF study. Much like the water utility usage rates, staff did not feel comfortable recommending large increases all at once, so a step increase approach was implemented with an initial SDF increase and future increases brought forward in future budget years as the larger utility projects began to come online. During utility merger discussions with the City of Sanford, the County was asked to increase the current SDF fees to have more parity with Sanford/TriRiver’s existing customers and the County Manager previously recommended to the Board of Commissioners an effective date of March 1, 2025.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan:
Budgetary Impact:
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve an ordinance adopting water System Development Fees effective March 1, 2025.