Residents and business owners in Longwood are voicing their concerns about a proposed plan to significantly increase water rates over the next few years. The Longwood City Commission is set to hold a second public hearing on the proposal this Monday evening.
The proposed plan would see the cost of a residential water meter rise from approximately $15 to over $35 by October 2029, nearly tripling the current rate. Andrea Lazzaro, a resident of Longwood for 40 years, expressed her frustration, noting that her water bill has already more than doubled since the city added sewer service and built a new water treatment plant near her home.
“I paid $30 a month for water up until they put in sewer, and they put in a new water treatment plant by my house,” Lazzaro said. “Now my water bill runs between $75 and $100 a month, whether I’m in town or not.” She added that another increase would be difficult to absorb, saying, “$200 a month for water for one person? That’s crazy.”
Business owners are also closely monitoring the proposal. DeBron Harber, who owns a lawn service company, highlighted the importance of water for maintaining landscaping, especially after installing new sod. “I have to make these recommendations, or you just spent four grand on grass that’s going to die,” Harber said. He worries that higher water rates could deter customers from following necessary watering schedules.
City officials argue that the proposed rate increases are essential to fund a new water treatment plant and upgrades to existing facilities, which are needed to maintain the water quality and reliability that residents expect. However, Lazzaro questioned whether the city could explore alternative funding sources, asking, “I pay taxes on everything. What are they using my tax money for?”
The public hearing on the proposed rate increase is scheduled for Monday during the Longwood City Commission meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. Commissioners are also expected to revisit the proposal on June 15.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
