Citrus County outlines $38.5M water and wastewater capital plan for FY 2027

Citrus County outlines $38.5M water and wastewater capital plan for FY 2027A $16.4 million state grant for sanitary sewer rehabilitation and multiple septic-to-sewer conversions dominate the Florida county’s newly presented utility capital improvement program.

The $38,495,828 water and wastewater capital plan represents the county's largest infrastructure sector, heavily supported by grants, SRF loans, and enterprise fees.

A $16.4 million state grant awarded by the governor will fully fund a major sanitary sewer system rehabilitation project.

The county has allocated $4.8 million for the Floral City Elementary School wastewater treatment plant interconnect, though grant funding remains pending.

Technology and modernization investments include an $800,000 automated meter implementation and a $500,000 SCADA master plan.

The county also amended its continuing services contracts for utility systems, raising the subconsultant work cap from 25% to 50% for 11 engineering firms.

Citrus County has rolled out its draft FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), outlining $38,495,828 in water and wastewater capital spending for the upcoming fiscal year. During an April 28, 2026, board workshop, Management and Budget Director Tammy Wilson detailed a utility capital strategy heavily reliant on grants, connection fees, and state revolving fund (SRF) loans. The centerpiece of the program is a $16.4 million sanitary sewer system rehabilitation project, which is fully funded by a state grant. Water Resources Director Ken Cheek confirmed to the board that the county has already received the funding for the massive rehab effort. Septic-to-sewer conversions form another core pillar of the utility's capital strategy. The county has secured a $1.5 million grant for Phase 1 of the Citrus Springs Septic-to-Sewer Project and is budgeting $450,000 for a similar rock conversion effort in Old Homosassa. To encourage transitions to the centralized system, the CIP also includes $1.67 million for a sewer connection incentive program. While several major grants have been secured, the county is still awaiting funding confirmation for a $4.8 million wastewater treatment plant interconnect serving Floral City Elementary School. If the grant is awarded, the project will be co-funded by utility connection fees. The capital plan also targets significant technology upgrades across the utility network. The county has earmarked $800,000 for automated meter implementation and $500,000 for a comprehensive SCADA master plan. Other notable infrastructure investments include a $1.96 million Topeka line extension in Citrus Springs, $1.58 million for new water connections and expansions, and $1 million for Phase 1 of the US-19 corridor lift station. Stormwater infrastructure, funded independently through a municipal service benefit unit (MSBU), features ongoing annual maintenance initiatives, including $200,000 for drainage compliance retrofits, $200,000 for outfall infrastructure retrofits, and $250,000 for general cleaning and restoration. In related procurement action during the regular meeting agenda, the board unanimously approved an amendment to its continuing services contracts for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water utility systems. The amendment increases the maximum allowable percentage of services that can be performed by subconsultants from 25% to 50% across 11 pre-qualified consulting firms.