Crestview council adopts ordinance to extend 6% water tax to all water services

The Crestview City Council on second reading adopted Ordinance 2019 to expand the city's 6% tax on water to all water services sold within city limits, not just those provided directly by the city. Staff told the council the change aligns the code with Florida Statute and will allow the city to levy the existing tax across non-city utility providers operating inside Crestview.

City staff said an outside rate study considered surrounding agency bills and produced an average estimate of about $2.50 per month for customers served by non-city providers. "Based on the average bill that the rate study provided us for Auburn Water System, this is looking like about a $2.50 difference for people," staff said. No public commenters opposed the ordinance, and the council voted 4-0, with one member absent.

The ordinance revises Code section 82-101 to broaden the taxable base for water services. Staff told the council the change is expected to produce additional revenue tied to the 6% levy on those services; the council approved the ordinance on second reading. The mayor read the proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month earlier in the meeting, and the council completed the ordinance vote before proceeding with other utility and fee items.