FY27 utility rates

Urged a no vote on the rate increases, asking what expenses the city cut first and how the hikes hit fixed-income residents.

Documented a 43% water and 38% sewer increase since 2021 and called the pace of increases unsustainable.

Pays over $100 a month with zero usage; asked the city to shift increases from base rates to variable usage charges to protect conservers and low-income customers.

Cited $324 million in utility revenue and $72 million in operating income, her bill up 24% since 2022, and $26 million transferred to the general fund — 'prove it' before raising rates.

A 55-year utility industry veteran urged the city to re-run the numbers at 2-3% increases and scrutinize the project wish list.

Her water bill is up 180% since 2006; demanded a line-by-line accounting of what drives the 2027 increase.

A renter who sees no better service each year and criticized the read-then-immediately-vote hearing format as non-transparent.

Describes widespread water meter overbilling — neighbors charged thousands for water they never used — and urged the city fix metering before raising rates.

Received a $2,352 water bill for a near-empty house, followed every prescribed step, and still owes the money; believes the billing system is wrong.

A more supportive voice: pointed to the new AMI metering and asset-management contracts as reasons for hope, and suggested the free Florida Rural Water Association fiscal study resource.