(ESCAMBIA, COUNTY) – Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) customers will pay an average of $2.19 more per month starting for fiscal year 2027, as the board approved rate increases and a $1.75 million project to extend water and sewer in Escambia County.
The increase includes a 3 percent increase for water and sewer services. The board approved the increase at the August 25 ECUA board meeting. Staff said the largest driver of the increase is a multimillion-dollar hike in repair and maintenance costs.
The board also voted 5-0 to approve up to $1.75 million in cost sharing with Escambia County for water and sewer extensions in the Oakland area near Oakfield and North Old Palafox Highway.
The original proposal split the funding as $1 million for water and $750,000 for sewer. The board changed it to allow flexibility between the two. Staff noted that a gravity sewer for 25 connections would cost about $2.5 million, or $100,000 per connection.
The board also directed staff to research a new policy for gravity sewer in new developments. The current threshold is 65 units, but board member Larry Williams said real research should be done to give firm caps at when the gravity sewers will not be required for developers.
“How can we circumvent it if we drop the number to 50? Developers would say, ‘well I’m going to put in 49 units just to avoid having to put in a lift station,’” Williams said.
"We're asking staff to go and determine what would be a better policy for gravity drain sewer in Escambia County for the purpose of increasing gravity drain sewer in new housing developments," Williams said.
(Photo Credit, ECUA YouTube)
Board Member Vicki Campbell said staff should talk with builders before changing rules.
"We don't want to inadvertently increase housing costs," Campbell said, while agreeing the current 65-unit threshold is being circumvented.
Board Chairman, Kevin Stephens said any change should be done carefully and include developers, citing concerns about housing costs and affordability in agreement with Campbell.
(Photo Credit, ECUA YouTube)
The new rates were approved for fiscal year 2027. The board said the increases are needed to address rising repair costs and to fund expansion projects like Oakland.
To add to or correct any information in this report or to share tips or a story, please contact me at pepper.w@lead4earth.org
0
0
Comments