- February 7, 2025
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The Port Orange City Council has approved a 15% stormwater utility fee increase from $100 per Equivalent Residential Unit to $115 per ERU.
The decision was made during the Tuesday, Sept. 26, public hearing with a vote of 3-2. Councilman Scott Stiltner and Vice Mayor Bob Ford both voted no.
"My proposal will be to increase the fee structure in a step-wise fashion per year till we get to the level that is beginning to replenish it as we spend it," Ford said.
The fee is for the 2018 fiscal year, which starts on Oct. 1, 2017, and was originally set at 20%, but after public comments and council discussion, the percentage was lowered. The 20% increase would have brought in $800,000 of additional revenue for the year, according to City Manger Jake Johansson.
For single family homes, the rate was $100 per year. However, for commercial properties, this amount will vary depending on size and stormwater improvements.
Several residents, some of them business owners, had concerns about the fee increase relating to local businesses, especially those that have a large amount of property.
"A couple of months ago I heard every one of you up here on this dais profess just how willing you were to pay $20 with no consideration at all to businesses," resident Ted Noftall said regarding the original tax increase while adding that it "is unusually punitive to businesses and it is not necessary. There's plenty of money in this fund."
The increase is the first "substantive change to the stormwater utility fee" since 2005, according to officials.
A public announcement from the city indicated the increased fee will assist in reducing the impact of flooding throughout Port Orange, "including the protection of life and property by the construction, operation, administration and maintenance of stormwater drainage facilities."
Resident Mark Dickinson had concerns with how the city is already dealing with flooding and drainage. He said it took nearly a year for a particular bike path to be cleared while a ditch in his backyard is full of mosquitos.
"I don't have any problems with your increase," Dickinson said. "What I have a problem with is the city response when we do ask for assistance."
According to officials, the funds from the fee will go toward projects on Yorktown Boulevard and the Virginia Avenue and Monroe Street areas. It will also include updating the city's master plan to address other flood mitigation needs within Port Orange.
The increase was originally proposed during a workshop on Tuesday, June 27.
"We've definitely got some projects that we need to continue to work toward," Stiltner said. "I don't know that we're ever going to get 100 percent there. I think there's always going to be, as the city is growing, challenges that come up."
