Fort Myers confirms 5% annual utility rate rises through FY2031

Fort Myers confirms 5% annual utility rate rises through FY2031Fort Myers council approved ordinances confirming a 5% water, sewer, irrigation and reclaimed-water rate increase in FY2027 and scheduling the same annual increase through FY2031. The measures passed despite objections that the increases exceed inflation and will compound pressure on customers.

Water, sewer and irrigation-water rates will rise 5% in FY2027, with 5% increases scheduled for FY2028-FY2031.

Reclaimed-water rates will follow the same 5% annual increase schedule through FY2031; the ordinance also provides for reclaimed-water-use fees.

Both rate ordinances passed 5-2, with Councilpersons Watson and Beauchamp voting against each measure.

The city’s FY2027 utility fund budget is $160.657 million; staff said user fees support utility-system requirements and its capital plan.

Fort Myers City Council has confirmed five consecutive years of 5% increases in charges for water, sewer, irrigation water and reclaimed water, preserving the utility’s planned revenue trajectory through fiscal year 2031. Council approved Ordinance 4107 by a 5-2 vote on 21 September. The measure confirms a 5% rise for water, sewer and irrigation-water rates in FY2027 and amends the schedule to apply 5% increases in each of FY2028, FY2029, FY2030 and FY2031. It also introduces an administrative fee, though no fee amount was discussed at the meeting. A separate 5-2 vote approved Ordinance 4108, which confirms a 5% reclaimed-water increase for FY2027 and schedules equivalent annual increases through FY2031. The reclaimed-water ordinance also provides for fees to be collected for reclaimed-water use. Councilpersons Terolyn P. Watson and Liston D. Bochette III voted against both ordinances. The principal objection centred on affordability. Bochette said the 5% annual increase was excessive relative to an inflation rate of 3.42%, proposing a 4% increase instead. A public speaker told the council that residents were being asked to pay for utility projects that, in the speaker’s view, had not been built when due. Other council members defended the adopted path. One said the rates had been discussed for 18 months, were publicly known and had affected the bond rate used for water-management improvement projects. No further detail on those projects or bond financing was provided during the hearing. The rate decisions came as council adopted its FY2027 budget. Financial Services Director Christine Tenney said the utility fund totals $160.657 million. She told council that the water and sewer fund is supported by user fees and covers the utility system’s requirements as well as its capital plan. FY2027 begins on 1 October 2026. Separately, council approved a $24,820 supplemental task authorisation with CDM Smith for design-construction services for a fire-loop backflow preventer at the SAWWTF.