Fort Lauderdale hikes stormwater rates 20% to fund 'Fortify' capital expansion

Fort Lauderdale hikes stormwater rates 20% to fund 'Fortify' capital expansionThe city commission has approved a steep increase to its fiscal year 2027 stormwater assessment to generate $47.8 million, backing debt service for 12 new neighborhood drainage projects and setting the stage for future $350 million funding tranches.

The single-family stormwater assessment will increase from $318 to $382 annually for fiscal year 2027.

The rate hike supports debt service for Phase 2 of the 'Fortify Lauderdale' initiative, expanding infrastructure to 12 additional neighborhoods.

City staff outlined future planned capital tranches for 2029-2032 and 2030-2035, each valued at $350 million, to complete the citywide initiative.

The commission also approved a Central Region Wastewater Large User Rate of $3.80 per 1,000 gallons.

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission approved a 20% increase to its Stormwater Management Program assessment on September 14, 2026, a move designed to absorb the debt service required for the city's sweeping 'Fortify Lauderdale' infrastructure initiative. The fiscal year 2027 assessment is projected to generate $47,864,266 in revenue, raising the annual rate for a single-family home from $318 to $382. According to Laura Reese, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the increase was baked into long-range plans presented earlier in the year and is strictly necessary to fund debt service on the second tranche of planned stormwater projects. Public Works Director Brad King confirmed that the continuation of the Fortify initiative—dubbed Phase 2—will utilize bond money to cover drainage and infrastructure improvements across 12 additional neighborhoods. While the 20% rate shock hits customers entirely in the upcoming fiscal year, King noted that the staggered assessment increases are projected to decrease in the future as the debt profile stabilizes. The city is currently wrapping up three projects at the end of Phase 1, with two underway and another in Riverland Melrose Manor slated to begin shortly. Meanwhile, design work is commencing for the first three Phase 2 projects. The capital pipeline for Fortify Lauderdale remains expansive. City staff noted during the hearing that future funding tranches are already planned for 2029-2032 and 2030-2035. Each of these upcoming tranches is sized at $350 million, which will be required to bring the citywide flood mitigation and stormwater initiative to completion. While residents voiced concerns during the public hearing over the cumulative impact of rising utility and municipal costs, the commission unanimously passed the stormwater assessment. In related water infrastructure business, the commission also unanimously approved the fiscal year 2027 Central Region Wastewater Large User Rate, setting it at $3.80 per 1,000 gallons of treated wastewater. Additionally, the Lauderdale Isles Water Management District's budget was approved, maintaining a $15 per parcel non-ad valorem assessment to generate $8,265 specifically earmarked for protecting local waterway water quality.