- March 9, 2025
It’s been two months since Palm Coast’s stormwater rate change took effect, but city officials are considering making another change in order to address inequities in the system, officials said Tuesday.
The new stormwater ordinance was approved in April 2011. Then, in September 2012, the City Council adopted the stormwater budget of $7.6 million. The new rate of $11.65/month per equivalent residential unit, or ERU, took effect Jan. 1.
Under the change in the rate structure, vacant parcels larger than one acre were given reduced serviced credits of 70% or 95%.
For example, if a vacant parcel is 10 ERUs and falls within 50 feet of a drainage structure or facility, it could qualify for a 70% discount. Instead of being charged $11.65 for 10 ERUs, the landowner is charged for three ERUs.
There are about 474 vacant parcels larger than one acre that are eligible to receive reduced-service credits, but about 127 of those currently are not receiving the credit.
If a reduced service credit is extended to the 127 properties, the revenue would be reduced by about $200,000, or 294 billable ERUs, according to city documents.
City officials agreed Tuesday to treat the 127 properties the same as the other 350 and provide them with reduced credits.
This is the first step, Mayor Jon Netts said. “I think we need to take a bite where we can. ... I see a day where all vacant properties are exempt.”
City Manager Jim Landon said the $200,000 reduction likely wouldn’t take the city’s revenue below the $7.6 million budgeted for stormwater improvements.
“We can scrape the $200,000 out of something else,” Netts said.
Changes to the ordinance must be done by the city attorney before it will come back to the City Council during a workshop. Then, based on discussions, a vote could take place at a regular meeting.
“There isn’t a popular option,” City Councilman Bill McGuire said. “What I’m looking for is an equitable option."
