Barefoot Bay residents urge faster county integration after small rate rollback proposed

County staff described a proposal to roll Barefoot Bay user rates back to 2025 levels (about a 4.8% reduction) and flatline rates through the planned January 2030 sunset of the Barefoot Bay Water & Sewer District. "We are here to address a clear legal contradiction in how Brevard County structures its water billing," said Dennis Leveau, a Barefoot Bay customer, who argued the rollback is only a "tiny band aid" for a system whose customers have seen double-digit, compounding increases. Staff said the rollback would be step one and that the county is pursuing a long-term plan to replace aging Barefoot Bay treatment facilities.

Dozens of residents — including long-time customers who said their bills rose 54% between 2022 and 2026 — urged immediate integration into the countywide system rather than waiting until bond obligations are paid in 2029. "Only integrating us into the countywide system sooner will truly help with our bills," said one resident. Commissioners and staff said they heard the concerns and that today's action was only permission to advertise the ordinance or rates for public hearings; no final rate changes were adopted at the meeting. Staff committed to follow-up answers to specific audit and bond-accounting questions raised by residents.