Winter Haven commission may stop automatic water rate increases
WINTER HAVEN – Utility prices and a review of the City Charter are on the agenda for Monday's City Commission meeting.
Each fiscal year in Winter Haven, water rates increase 2.5 percent for customers, but that's something Commissioners William Twyford and Pete Chichetto are interested in changing. Twyford said the increases are put toward the general fund and used to pay pension costs.
Commissioner Nat Birdsong said that change was made to generate revenue without raising property taxes.
When the city contracted with Raftelis Financial Consulting of Casselberry for a water rates study earlier this year, the firm suggested keeping the price increase in place. Factored into the increase was partial funding for several capital projects the city has planned in the years to come.