Board adopts 15% stormwater assessment increase amid resident concerns about calculations

County staff presented a plan to increase stormwater non-ad valorem assessment rates by 15% to generate an additional $2,700,000 annually for enhanced maintenance services, including ditch clearing, canal and slope mowing, and inlet cleaning. Josh (Engineering and Operations) said the medium residential tier (1 ERU) would rise by $6 annually from $86.49 to $92.58.

Several property owners criticized the assessment methodology and said impervious-surface calculations were inconsistent. Charlotte Butler asked why certain paved areas and pools are not measured, saying, "Why is paved stated in the notice... but it is not included as a measurement?" Tracy Thompson and Robert Mendenhall also described how their large-acreage and farming properties appear to be mischaracterized by the ERU calculation. Commissioners discussed senior discounts and staff follow-up; the board approved the assessment increase 5-2 (Commissioners Cameron Cepeda and one other voted no).