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Home My WebLink About2026 05 11 Public Hearing 400 - First Reading of Ordinance 2026-01: Updating Stormwater Utility RatesPUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA ITEM 400 CITY COMMISSION AGENDA | MAY 11, 2026 REGULAR MEETING TITLE First Reading of Ordinance 2026-01 : Updating the Stormwater Utility Rates SUMMARY The City engaged a rate consultant, Ra#elis, who conducted a detailed rate study, dated A pril 1, 2026, which was presented to the City Commission at the A pril 1, 2026 Workshop on the S tormwater Pond M aintenance P rogram and S tormwater Rate Study U pdate. T his presenta*on provided a detailed review of the classifica*on of ponds in the C ity: (1) P ublic Ponds, (2) H ybrid Ponds, and (3) P rivate Ponds and their related maintenance costs. T he presenta*on also covered the overall opera*onal and maintenance costs for the S tormwater M anagement U *lity S ystem. T hese costs, along with all u*lity opera*ng costs, service enhancements, personnel and equipment needs are incorporated into the stormwater u*lity rate structure. F unding for the S tormwater M aster P lan capital project costs were not included in the rate structure. T hey will be funded from 3rd and 4th Genera*on sales tax revenue and other capital improvement project funding sources. F ollowing the A pril 1, 2026 workshop presenta*on, staff received posi*ve feedback and consensus from the City Commission and the public, including requests for more detailed informa*on with clarifica*on. S taff will provide a second presenta*on for this purpose and review the final proposed stormwater u*lity rate structure at the M ay 11, 2026 City Commission. The proposed rate adjustment will help offset current and future service and capital expenses. T he ordinance establishes the following stormwater management u*lity fee per E R U for each developed property: E xis*ng F Y 2026 (ending September 30, 2026) – $10.00; commencing O ctober 1, 2026 (F Y 2027) – $15.00; O ctober 1, 2027 (F Y 2028) – $17.50; October 1, 2028 (FY 2029) – $19.50; and October 1, 2029 (FY 2030) – $20.50. FUNDING SOURCE RECOMMENDATION S taff recommends the C ity C ommission hold a public hearing and approve O rdinance 2026-01 on first reading for the proposed stormwater u*lity rate structure for the next four (4) years. 57 City of Winter Springs Ordinance No. 2026-01 Page 1 of 3 ORDINANCE NO. 2026-01 A RATE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA, UPDATING THE STORMWATER RATES, AS PROVIDED IN SEC. 19-164(a); PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF PRIOR INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Winter Springs, Florida, has determined it to be in the best interest of the safety, health, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Winter Springs to provide a Stormwater Management Utility to manage and control stormwater within the system; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Winter Springs, Florida, has determined it to be in the best interest of the safety, health, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Winter Springs to continue to provide a just and equitable Stormwater Utility Fee to fund the Stormwater Management Utility System; and WHEREAS, Section 19-164(a) provides for the stormwater utility fee to be adopted by ordinance from time to time, and WHEREAS, the City engaged a rate consultant, Raftelis, who conducted a detailed rate study, dated April 1, 2026, which was presented to the City Commission that supports a scheduled rate adjustment to support the operation and management of the Stormwater Management Utility System; and WHEREAS, the City has experienced more significant flooding in recent years because of more intense rainfall events including Hurricanes; and WHEREAS, the City has experienced a significant increase in demand for stormwater services and anticipates rising costs for capital projects, which are expected to continue to exceed revenues collected in the Stormwater Management Utility Fund, used solely for stormwater system expenses pursuant to Section 9-167 of the City Code; and WHEREAS, the City Manager and Staff recommend the stormwater rate adjustment to help offset current and future service and capital expenses; and WHEREAS, this Ordinance is enacted pursuant to the Florida Municipal Home Rule Powers Act, Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, and other applicable law authorizing a municipality to set rates, fees, and charges for public utility services; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Winter Springs to amend the rates for stormwater services provided by the City. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS HEREBY ORDAINS, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are hereby incorporated herein by this reference. 58 City of Winter Springs Ordinance No. 2026-01 Page 2 of 3 Section 2. New ERU Rate Established. The stormwater management utility fee shall be amended and adjusted pursuant to the following rate schedule and shall be calculated per ERU for each developed property as provided for in Section 19-164 as follows: •Existing FY 2026 ending September 30th $10.00 •Commencing October 1, 2026 (FY 2027)$15.00 •Commencing October 1, 2027 (FY 2028)$17.50 •Commencing October 1, 2028 (FY 2029)$19.50 •Commencing October 1, 2029 (FY 2030)$20.50 It is the intent of this Ordinance to begin imposing each adjusted FY stormwater rate during the start of the next full utility billing cycle following the commencement of the new fiscal year. Section 3. Repeal of Prior Inconsistent Ordinances and Resolutions. All prior inconsistent ordinances and resolutions adopted by the City Commission, or parts of prior ordinances and resolutions in conflict herewith, are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict. Section 4. Incorporation Into Code. This ordinance shall be incorporated into the Winter Springs City Code and any section or paragraph number or letter and any heading may be changed or modified as necessary to effectuate the foregoing. Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, word or provision of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, whether for substantive, procedural, or any other reason, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. Section 6. Effective Date. The Stormwater rate set forth in this ordinance shall become effective immediately and in accordance with the City Charter. ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Winter Springs, Florida, in a regular meeting assembled on the _____ day of ________________________, 2026. ATTEST: CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA ____________________________ ____________________________________ CHRISTIAN GOWAN, CMC KEVIN McCANN City Clerk Mayor 59 City of Winter Springs Ordinance No. 2026-01 Page 3 of 3 Approved as to legal form and sufficiency for the City of Winter Springs only: ______________________________________ ANTHONY A. GARGANESE City Attorney First Reading: _________________ Public Advertisement: ________________ Second Reading and Public Hearing: __________________ 60 City of Winter Springs Stormwater Management Utility Operation & Maintenance Program and Rate Study City Commission May 11 th, 2026 61 Introductions •City of Winter Springs •Clete Saunier, P.E., Director of Public Works and Utilities •Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. •Julia Felter, P.E. •Marcus Geiger, P.E. •Pegasus Engineering, LLC •David Hamstra, P.E.,CFM •Raftelis •Joe Williams 62 Agenda Stormwater Pond Maintenance •Pond Definitions •Ponds within the City •Hybrid Pond Definition •City Maintained Ponds •Hybrid Pond Maintenance •Public Pond Maintenance •Estimated Cost of Maintenance •Examples of Maintenance •Creek Maintenance Program Stormwater Rate Study Update •Existing Customers and Rates •Service Enhancements •Financial Forecast •Recommendations Questions 63 4 Stormwater Pond Definitions •Public Pond: is a pond on City owned property or has a dedicated easement that receives stormwater from public infrastructure. •Hybrid Pond: is a pond on Privately owned property that receives stormwater from public infrastructure. •Private Pond: is a pond on Privately owned property and receives stormwater from private infrastructure. 64 5 Stormwater Pond (Land) Right-of-way Drainage Easement: Grants access to stormwater conveyance pipe and pond Right-of-Way: Land dedicated to the City and maintained by the City Tract: Section of land typically parceled and depicted on the plat that is dedicated to the City or Private Drainage Easement 65 Stormwater Pond (Infrastructure) 6 Pond Infrastructure: Drainage collection and conveyance devices, including but not limited to storm pipes, drainage structures, and end of pipe treatments. Inflow Pipe: Pipe that conveys stormwater runoff to a pond. Outflow Pipe: Pipe that conveys drainage to a receiving water. Control Structure: structure within a pond that controls the release of drainage from the pond. 66 7 Stormwater Pond Section – Dry Pond 67 8 Stormwater Pond Section – Wet Pond 68 9 Ponds within the City •353 Ponds •Maintenance Categories •FDOT •Seminole County •Public/City •Hybrid •Public Stormwater Infrastructure and Private pond ownership •Private No. of PondsMaintenance by Others 12FDOT 35Seminole County 175Private 222Sub total No. of PondsMaintenance by City 43Public 88Hybrid 131Sub total 353TOTAL 69 10 Ponds within the City 70 11 Zone Map 71 12 Example of Zone Map 72 13 Hybrid Pond Definitions Maintenance ResponsibilityContributing Drainage Area*Pond OwnershipIdentity PondInfrastructure Pond Ownership: Public = Dedicated to the City Private= Dedicated to HOAs, management groups, or individual parcel owners Contributing Drainage Area (Stormwater Runoff): Public = City roads and rights-of-way Private = Private property Infrastructure Maintenance Responsibility: Public = Dedicated easement over storm pipe between public drainage area and receiving water Private = No dedicated public easement over any stormwater infrastructure Pond Maintenance Responsibility: Public = Dedicated public maintenance responsibility Private = No dedicated public maintenance responsibility *Note: All hybrid ponds receive stormwater drainage runoff originating from public rights-of-way via a piped connection. 73 14 City Maintained Ponds •Public (43) 1. Pond receives runoff from City roads and Public rights-of-way 2. On City owned or dedicated Property 3. Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance 4. Public Pond Maintenance •Hybrid (88) 1. Pond receives runoff from City roads and Public rights-of-way 2. Easement access to infrastructure for City 3. Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance 74 15 City Maintained Ponds 75 Hybrid Pond Maintenance •Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance ONLY •Yearly visual inspection of outfall structures •Yearly visual inspection of drainage structures and storm pipes •As Needed Maintenance •Debris removal from storm pipes and outfall structures •Sediment removal from storm pipes and outfall structures •Repairs/replacement or relining to storm pipes •Scour protection and Control Structure repairs 16 76 Public Pond Maintenance •Monthly Aquatic Vegetation inspection •Aeration will be added as needed •Monthly Mowing on public property •Debris Removal from storm pipes, outfall structures,and pond •Sediment Removal from storm pipes and outfall structures •Yearly visual inspection of outfall structures •Yearly visual inspection of drainage structures and storm pipes •As needed maintenance •Aquatic Vegetation treatment •Sediment removal from ponds •Erosion repairs, scour protection, and control structure repairs •Repair/ Replacement or relining of storm pipes 17 77 18 Dry ponds – types of Maintenance 78 19 Wet ponds – types of Maintenance 79 20 Estimated Cost for Hybrid Pond Maintenance Cost Breakdown SupportAverage Pond CostInfrastructure Maintenance Average $3,500 to 4K per location: 6 footx 6 foot x 18-inch area of riprap with liner,$5,000Scour/Outlet Protection Skimmer blades, grates, PVC parts and pieces, minor concrete repairs$2,000Control Structure Repairs Average relining $275/ LF, average distance 400 LF$120,000Pipe Relining, as needed Based on 8 City NRCS project, average was $30,000 per outfall$25,000Localized Sediment Removal, as needed $152,000Total *Expected life span of pond maintenance is 15-year cycle 80 21 Example of Scour/ Outlet Protection Before After 81 22 Example of Control Structure Repairs Before After 82 23 Example of Relining Before After 83 24 Example of Localized Sediment Removal Before After 84 25 Examples of Tertiary Projects 85 26 Creek Inspection and Maintenance Program •Focus on Targeted maintenance where blockages or localized issues occur. •Utilize post-storm recovery grant programs when eligible. •Preserve the natural function and environmental value of creek systems. •Continue evaluating feasible, permitted solutions. •Under Review by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) 86 Stormwater Utility Program •Study Includes Stormwater •Operating Expenses •Staff and Equipment •Rehabilitation and Maintenance •Existing Public Pond Maintenance •Road/ Right-of-way Infrastructure •Drainage conveyances: swales, ditches, culverts, outfall structures •Hybrid Pond Maintenance •Tertiary Projects 27 87 City of Winter Springs Stormwater Rate Study May 11, 2026 City of Winter Springs Stormwater Rate Study May 11, 2026 88 29 Agenda Project scope overview Existing customers & rates Service enhancements Financial forecast Findings & recommendations 89 30 Project Scope Overview 90 Personnel and equipment needs Review operations & maintenance plan Funding capital improvements Financial forecast and rate adjustment needs Project Scope Comprehensive stormwater financial forecast, considering service level enhancements, to achieve a sustainable financial outlook 31 1 2 3 4 91 Revenue Requirements & Financial Planning 32 FINANCIAL PLAN INPUTS •Customer accounts •Revenues •Operating expenses •Capital plan •Beginning cash position CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDING Funding Mix (Cash vs. Debt) Debt Covenants ANNUAL CASH FLOW FISCAL POLICIES AND TARGETS Cash Reserves Debt Service Coverage ANNUAL REVENUE REQUIREMENTS FINANCIAL PLAN ELEMENTS 92 33 Existing Customers & Rates 93 • Residential = assigned 1 ERU per dwelling unit • Non-residential = 1 ERU per 2,123 square feet IALand Uses Properties with properly functioning stormwater management facilities will receive a 25% reduction to their stormwater feeFacility Credit Stormwater Customers Introduction 34 City Code establishes stormwater equivalent residential units (ERUs) based on the average impervious area (IA) of residential developed property. Current ERU basis = 2,123 square feet IA ERU Basis 94 Stormwater Customers and Revenue 35 TotalReduced RateFull RateDescription $7.50$10.00Rate per ERU per month 15,5805,07810,500Accounts 19,0726,53612,536ERUs $2,092,500$588,200$1,504,300Annual Revenue 95 36 Service Enhancements 96 Existing Operating Budget 37 FY 2026 Budget FY 2025 Estimated FY 2024 ActualDescription $622,121$487,620$519,650Personnel 1,003,1741,497,974402,971Repair and Maintenance 383,290424,837361,595Other $2,008,585$2,410,431$1,284,216Total 97 Service Enhancement Overview 38 Personnel & Equipment Additional stormwater crew and equipment identified to enhance stormwater level of service Operations & Maintenance The operations and maintenance plan covers a mix of enhanced inspection and maintenance programs for all drainage conveyance systems, natural creeks, and public and hybrid ponds Tertiary Projects These are the unexpected projects that arise annually that the City desires to respond to more timely Master Plan CIP 12 larger projects identified in the CIP for various stormwater infrastructure improvements (funding provided from 3rd and 4th Gen Sales Tax) 98 Personnel and Equipment New Stormwater Crew Hiring of a new crew, consisting of a Foreman and three crew members, in FY 2027 Vehicles for Crews Acquisition and replacement of working trucks, F-150s and F-250s, for stormwater crews Large Equipment Acquisitions Replacement and purchase of larger equipment such as mowers, mini-excavators, backhoes, tractors, and similar equipment 99 Hybrid Pond Infrastructure Maintenance •88 hybrid ponds identified •Stormwater infrastructure maintenance for each hybrid pond ›Average cost per hybrid pond: $152,000 (Includes Scour/Outlet Protection, Pipe Relining, Control Structure Repair, Localized Sediment Removal) ›Number of hybrid ponds to address per year: 6 (88 ponds / 15 years) ›Total cost of hybrid pond maintenance : $912,000 / year 40 Notes: - Expected life span of pond maintenance is a 15-year cycle - The maintenance costs for the 43 public ponds is covered in the R&M budget 100 Master Plan Projects •Alton Road Culvert & Reach Improvements $995,000 •Vistawilla Drive Near Seneca Boulevard Improvements $600,000 •No-Name Creek Conveyance Improvements Near Sailfish Road $645,000 •Dunmar Estates Flow Path Re-Establishment $845,000 •Winter Springs Boulevard near Davenport Way Improvements $900,000 •Fisher Road Near Morton Lane Improvements $225,000 •Shore Road Culvert & Reach Improvements $1,160,000 •Highland Village Storage & Conveyance Improvements $550,000 •Chokecherry Drive Near Sapling Drive Improvements $260,000 •North Tuskawilla Road Outfall Improvements $1,310,000 •Winter Springs Boulevard Near Chokecherry Drive Improvements $690,000 •No-Name Creek Conveyance Improvements Near Alton Road $645,000 •Total = $8,825,000 41 Funding Source City plans to use 3rd Gen and 4th Gen Funds to cover priority capital projects within Stormwater Master Plan 101 Service Level Enhancements Summary 42 FY 2030FY 2029FY 2028FY 2027Description $340,300$326,900$314,300$302,100Personnel 135,00070,000140,000230,000Equipment 912,000912,000608,000304,000Hybrid Pond Maintenance [1] 600,000500,000400,000200,000Tertiary Projects [2] $1,987,300$1,808,900$1,462,300$1,036,100Total Notes: [1] Hybrid pond infrastructure maintenance assumes phase-in starting with 2 ponds in FY 2027, 4 ponds in FY 2028, and 6 ponds in FY 2029. [2] Tertiary projects assume an average cost of $100,000 per project and completing 2-6 projects per year. 102 43 Financial Forecast 103 Monthly Rate Adjustment Needs 44 $ IncreasePer ERUDescription $10.00Existing FY 2026 $5.00$15.00FY 2027 $2.50$17.50FY 2028 $2.00$19.50FY 2029 $1.00$20.50FY 2030 104 Financial Forecast 45 $0 $500,000 $1,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $2,500,000 $3,000,000 $3,500,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030 Existing Expenses Service Enhancements Revenue Forecast Revenue Sufficiency Forecast: • Implementation of rate adjustments identified • Existing expenses: • Single crew • Existing R&M budget • Phase in of various service enhancements •2ndcrew • Equipment purchases • Hybrid pond maintenance • Tertiary projects 105 Rate Comparison (Monthly Single Family Rate) $25.00 $21.07 $18.31 $16.72 $16.67 $15.00 $14.17 $10.35 $10.00 $9.27 $8.50 $8.13 $6.75 $6.00 $4.00 Apopka Orlando (2,500 sf) Oviedo Maitland Winter Park (2,500 sf) Winter Springs - Year 1 Deltona Casselberry Winter Springs Existing Sanford Ocoee Winter Garden Altamonte Springs Longwood Lake Mary 46 106 47 Findings & Recommendations 107 Findings & Recommendations 48 1 Stormwater Maintenance Adding a 2nd crew will facilitate enhanced public pond maintenance, hybrid pond maintenance, and tertiary projects 2 Rate Adjustments Adopt rate adjustments as presented that align with stormwater system needs and maintenance plan 108 Questions 49 109