Advisory board urged action as SWFWMD moves to phase 3 restrictions; members press staff over delayed AMI meter rollout

Staff told the advisory board that the State of Florida and Charlotte County remain in drought, and that the Southwest Florida Water Management District will implement modified Phase 3 watering restrictions on April 3 that limit lawn irrigation to once per week by address and restrict allowable hours.

The presenter said the district’s phase change will also tighten enforcement: beginning 14 days after implementation, violations will result in immediate citations (the city’s current practice), and staff noted the city has already issued more than 100 citations. The utilities director described outreach steps including website updates, messaging on utility bills and targeted letters to the top 50 single-family water users.

Board members pressed for clarity about citations and exemptions. Staff said exemptions exist for new sod installations (60-day schedule) and that a first citation is currently set at $25, with higher amounts for repeat offenses and a statutory maximum noted in discussion.

Separately, several board members sharply questioned delays in the AMI meter-replacement program. A committee member said council directed implementation in September but "we're nowhere near this," and asked whether procurement and contractor performance had slowed the effort. The utilities director acknowledged the schedule is behind, said competing priorities (RO plant work, SRF applications and interlocal coordination) and a state utility-transfer review slowed progress, and said the RFQ for AMI procurement is being finalized before submission to procurement.

Why it matters: Modified watering restrictions and immediate enforcement change residents’ allowed irrigation days and enforcement risk; AMI delays affect accurate meter reads, billing and revenue collection.

What’s next: SWFWMD restrictions take effect April 3; staff will continue outreach and enforcement and said they will return with procurement updates on the AMI RFQ and staffing progress at future meetings.