Boynton Beach approves utility rate rise to underpin $325m water plant programme

Boynton Beach approves utility rate rise to underpin $325m water plant programmeBoynton Beach commissioners approved FY2026-27 water, wastewater, stormwater and reuse-water rate adjustments after staff said funding was needed to renew ageing treatment assets and meet emerging drinking-water requirements. The city has paired the decision with a lower-than-rollback property-tax rate, intended to largely offset the average resident’s combined cost impact.

The commission unanimously adopted Resolution R26-153, setting FY2026-27 utility charges and preliminary rates for subsequent years.

The utility’s capital plan includes $325 million for evaluation, design and construction associated with emerging-contaminant treatment at the East and West water treatment plants, with completion shown as 2029.

Inside-city residential water base charges will rise from $16.32 to $19.13 per month, while the first 7,000 gallons will rise from $2.19 to $2.56 per 1,000 gallons.

Inside-city wastewater base charges will increase from $24.46 to $28.68 per month, and the stormwater charge will rise from $9.49 to $11.12 per equivalent residential unit.

Commissioners subsequently set the general-fund millage rate at 7.2052 mills, 2.969% below the 7.4257 rollback rate; staff said this would produce a $1.8 million draw on fund balance.

Boynton Beach City Commission has unanimously approved higher water, wastewater, stormwater and reuse-water charges for FY2026-27, advancing a financial plan intended to fund renewal of two ageing water treatment plants and a broader utility capital programme. Resolution R26-153, which had been tabled at the commission’s 8 September meeting, was approved on 16 September. Staff described the increases as necessary to maintain safe and reliable drinking water, sewer collection, drainage and reuse services, as well as to avoid depleting utility reserves while carrying out capital projects. The central funding requirement is a $325 million programme for the East and West water treatment plants. The city’s capital plan identifies the programme as evaluation, design and construction of emerging-contaminant treatment options, funded through capital-improvement-plan resources and a State Revolving Fund loan. Planning and design are under way, with completion shown as 2029. Separate consultant evaluations put the cost of alternatives at $121 million for the East plant and $204 million for the West plant. Utilities director Poonam Kalkat told the commission that equipment and treatment processes at both plants were at the end of their useful life, with some replacement parts obsolete. She said impending federal treatment requirements and their timetable were key drivers for action. Finance staff said failure to progress the work could expose the city to regulatory fines and, ultimately, consent orders. For an inside-city residential customer, the monthly water base charge will increase from $16.32 to $19.13. The volumetric rate for the first 7,000 gallons will rise from $2.19 to $2.56 per 1,000 gallons; the highest tier, for use above 21,000 gallons, will increase from $6.44 to $7.55 per 1,000 gallons. Outside-city residential customers will pay a $23.95 monthly base charge, up from $20.42, and $3.21 per 1,000 gallons in the first tier, up from $2.74. Inside-city wastewater base charges will rise from $24.46 to $28.68 per month, while the residential wastewater commodity charge, up to 10,000 gallons, will increase from $2.82 to $3.30 per 1,000 gallons. The stormwater fee will increase from $9.49 to $11.12 per month for one equivalent residential unit of 1,937 square feet. Reuse-water charges will rise from $0.46 to $0.54 per 1,000 gallons, while scheduled reuse service will rise from $0.32 to $0.38. The adopted capital plan totals $496 million across FY2025-26 to FY2029-30, including $344.7 million for water supply and treatment, $31.2 million for wastewater collection and $20.8 million for stormwater. The FY2026-27 utility capital budget is $65.8 million, including $25.1 million for water supply and treatment, $6.3 million for wastewater collection and $10.3 million for stormwater and drainage. In a related budget decision, the commission unanimously lowered the city’s general-fund millage to 7.2052 mills, below the rollback rate of 7.4257 mills. Staff said the change was designed to mitigate the average resident’s overall cost increase from utility charges, but would require a $1.8 million draw on the city’s fund balance.