DPW asks for rate increases to shore up water, solid‑waste and stormwater funds; council seeks details on pond backlog and HOA responsibilities

Yosef Cabetta, director of Public Works, presented the department’s FY25 request and highlighted cross‑cutting priorities: safety, training, workforce development and performance innovation. DPW’s FY25 ask was stated at roughly $297.8 million and includes fee adjustments the department says are necessary to maintain service and protect fund balance.

DPW asked the council to approve a 10% increase in water and sewer rates for FY25 and a $26 increase for residential solid‑waste service (the second increment of a two‑year plan). The department also proposed the first increase in the Watershed Protection Fee Fund since its inception to address a backlog of stormwater management structures and ponds that have reached or are nearing failure condition. "Revenues just simply need to keep up with operational and wholesale supplier increases," Director Cabetta said.

Councilors pressed DPW staff for details on how the county will triage and finance repairs. DPW said routine maintenance on many ponds is performed by highways crews but that complex failures can require contractors and capital projects; the department said it will use a mix of internal crews and contracted services while attempting to bring the backlog to a manageable level. Councilmembers asked whether there is a clear policy for homeowners’ associations to transfer responsibility for pond maintenance to the county: DPW said no formal policy exists today and that the question merits additional review.

What was requested and next steps: DPW will provide additional detail on how proposed watershed fee revenues will be allocated (contractual service vs in‑house staffing and inspections), and the department agreed to provide examples and criteria for whether and how the county would assume maintenance responsibilities from HOAs. Council members asked for clearer cost estimates for contracted pond repairs versus DPW crew work and for a plan showing how the backlog would decline under proposed funding levels.

The council did not adopt fees at the session; questions and requested follow‑up documentation will be part of final FY25 deliberations.