Palm Bay updates utility rates, permits and reclaimed-water charges; council adopts five-year CIP
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Summary
Council adopted multiple ordinances adjusting water, sewer and reclaimed-water fees and approved a five-year capital improvement plan; utilities director said large-dollar CIP items reflect plant expansions and aging infrastructure and will be presented in detail Oct. 2.
The Palm Bay City Council voted unanimously to adopt a package of utility-related ordinances and the city's five-year capital improvement plan (CIP).
Ordinances passed include adjustments to water capital charges (Ordinance 2025-34), changes to the city's utility rates and charges (Ordinance 2025-35), updated permit fees for wastewater/sewer use (Ordinance 2025-36), and revised reclaimed-water rates and charges (Ordinance 2025-37). The council also adopted the five-year CIP (Resolution 2025-37), which the city manager characterized as the administration’s best effort with available data and noted potential future augmentations as staff refines priorities.
A member of the public, Eric Stein, asked about large year-to-year variations in the utility-project totals shown in the CIP (he cited about $41,000,000 in one year, $67,000,000 the next and $22,000,000 in a subsequent year). Gabriel Bowden, the city's utilities director, told council those line items largely reflect plant expansions, plant renovations and infrastructure improvements driven by aging systems; Bowden said he will give a detailed presentation to council on Oct. 2 to break down major projects and timing.
All utility ordinances and the CIP passed by 5-0 votes. Councilors asked staff to provide the CIP project breakdowns and timelines during the forthcoming utilities presentation.