Charlotte County and Punta Gorda ink joint water supply pact, eye RO expansion

Charlotte County and Punta Gorda ink joint water supply pact, eye RO expansionThe interlocal agreement mandates a 20-year joint water supply plan by 2028 and commits Punta Gorda to constructing new brackish wells and expanding its reverse osmosis facilities by July 2029 to serve unincorporated areas.

The agreement establishes a coordinated approach for serving customers outside city limits with Punta Gorda utilities.

A jointly funded city-county water supply plan with a 20-year horizon must be developed by July 1, 2028.

Punta Gorda is committed to constructing new brackish water wells and expanding RO treatment facilities by July 1, 2029.

Commissioners debated adding language to prohibit the city from requiring voluntary annexation agreements in exchange for water service, but ultimately passed the original agreement due to pending state legislation.

Charlotte County Commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Punta Gorda on February 25 to coordinate water supply and wastewater planning for unincorporated areas served by city utilities. The City of Punta Gorda also approved the identical agreement during its own meeting the same day. Assistant County Administrator Claire Jubb outlined the agreement, noting it requires the development of a joint city-county water supply plan by July 1, 2028. The plan will define the specific service area, address a minimum 20-year planning horizon, and identify existing and projected potable water demands along with necessary infrastructure improvements. Funding for the joint plan will be shared between the city and county based on a methodology to be determined. Under the agreement's terms, Punta Gorda has committed to constructing new brackish water wells and expanding its reverse osmosis (RO) treatment facilities no later than July 1, 2029. The city will also pursue amendments to its existing water use permit to support these expansions. In return, Charlotte County committed to planning for the provision of potable water and wastewater infrastructure subject to its regular capital planning process. The approval followed a debate over annexation policies tied to utility connections. Commissioner Bill Truex initially proposed amending the agreement to prohibit the city from conditioning water or wastewater services on applicants signing "voluntary annexation" agreements. Truex characterized the practice as "coercion," arguing that property owners outside city limits should not be forced to waive their rights to secure a water meter. However, the board ultimately abandoned the modifications after County Administrator Hector Flores and Legislative Manager Eve Sweeting informed commissioners of pending state legislation. Sweeting pointed to Florida House Bill 1075, which recently advanced to the House Commerce Committee. If enacted, the legislation would explicitly prohibit municipalities from requiring property annexation as a condition for providing utility service starting July 1, 2026, and mandate that cities provide written capacity determinations within 30 days of a connection request. Relying on the potential state-level resolution, the board opted to unanimously approve the interlocal agreement as originally written, ensuring immediate cooperation with the city on the upcoming water supply planning and RO expansion efforts.