The city of Fort Lauderdale is pondering a proposal to increase storm water fees to protect the public from flooding. City commissioners are looking into nearly doubling the city’s total annual revenue from storm water fees from $8.5 million to $16.6 million. Under the proposal, the calculation of storm water fees would be based on the traffic a property generates. The city’s proposals are being generated on the basis of a study carried out by Burton & Associates. Single-family homeowners would pay $6 a month for storm water drainage as part of their monthly water bills, which is the same amount from the previous year. Those affected by the increase would include condo owners from $1.06 to $4.18, supermarket owners from $178.42 to $758.64, and from $283.58 to $4,062.15 for government entities.
Flooding in Fort Lauderdale is likely to worsen as sea level rises. According to the Southeast Florida Regional Compact Climate Action Plan, the sea level is expected to rise six to 10 inches by 2030. City Manager Lee Feldman stated that more revenue from storm water fees could help Fort Lauderdale cover $140 million to $240 million in costs to improve drainage systems and heighten sea walls.
