Residents object to 30% PID assessment hike in Merida; commission tables decision

Several property owners in the Merida development spoke during a public hearing to oppose a proposed increase to the PID assessment. Michelle Cestatus told the commission the change "is a 30% increase from last year" and said many lots remain unsold, giving residents little reason to expect the assessment jump.

Staff said the proposed increase results from higher maintenance costs for landscape watering, including the cost of purchasing water from the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation; the PID administrator reported an estimated $200,000 increase in costs. Commissioners voted to leave the public hearing open and table the matter to the Aug. 18 meeting so the developer or PID administrator can appear and answer homeowner questions.