Results of the 2026 User Fee Study

The long awaited user fee study was presented at the last commission meeting, so I’d like to summarize the study in a few short sentences.

First, we have failed to increase user fees to match our upkeep of city streets, sewers, and storm drains—all the city infrastructure is underfunded because of our failure to keep up with inflation and increased costs of hurricane restoration.

Second, an unfair fee distribution was discovered. While single family residences pay a little less than their proportional amount, the condos pay 138% of their share, and commercial properties pay 77% of their share.

The study also recommended a three year phase in to restore the proper proportions and amounts of user fee funding into the city infrastructure funds. At the end of the three years, the funds should be self-sustaining and allowing for proper maintenance.

Until that point, user fees will be unfairly distributed and the infrastructure funds will be underfunded.

Needless to say, now is the time to correct our path using this current user fee study. It is critical our commission vote to adopt the recommended user fees in tomorrow’s commission meeting on 7/28/2026. Otherwise, our critical needs will be underfunded next year, and the study will be wasted.