Residents in Cape Coral say rising utility bills are already straining their budgets as city leaders look to go over water and sewer rates. “I think it’s theft,” said Danny Pool, a Cape Coral resident. “I’ve lived in Florida all my life, and bills have gone up there too, but nothing like here.”Pool said costs have climbed significantly since he moved to the area.“I feel like since I’ve been here, it’s gone up probably about 50 percent, if not more,” he said.Other residents share similar concerns. Larry Zoltek said current rates are already too high, even when he is not home. “Yeah, it’s too high,” Zoltek said. “$70 a month just to maintain the service without using it, that’s a lot.”City officials are expected to discuss potential rate adjustments during a meeting Wednesday. Officials say the increases would help cover rising operating costs and expand access to city water in northern parts of Cape Coral through the Utility Extension Project.Some residents say the rising costs are forcing difficult financial decisions.“Some people have actually been forced to move because they can’t keep up with the rising costs,” said resident Sandy Genter. “It’s hard on families. even our adult kids can’t afford things.”The city said it is evaluating multiple long-term options for funding water and sewer infrastructure. One scenario uses traditional long-term debt and includes larger rate increases projected for 2028 and 2033, along with steady annual increases of about 5% in other years.Another option relies more heavily on a commercial paper program, which could avoid an additional increase in 2028. Under that approach, rates would not rise beyond levels previously approved in 2024.City officials emphasized that these are planning scenarios and no decisions have been made. Wednesday’s meeting is expected to be discussion-based, and any future rate changes would require formal approval by the City Council, along with advance notice to residents.For now, some residents say they are bracing for what could come next.“It’s the people who are here all the time who are really going to have to pay for it,” Pool said.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Residents in Cape Coral say rising utility bills are already straining their budgets as city leaders look to go over water and sewer rates.

“I think it’s theft,” said Danny Pool, a Cape Coral resident. “I’ve lived in Florida all my life, and bills have gone up there too, but nothing like here.”

Pool said costs have climbed significantly since he moved to the area.

“I feel like since I’ve been here, it’s gone up probably about 50 percent, if not more,” he said.

Other residents share similar concerns. Larry Zoltek said current rates are already too high, even when he is not home.

“Yeah, it’s too high,” Zoltek said. “$70 a month just to maintain the service without using it, that’s a lot.”

City officials are expected to discuss potential rate adjustments during a meeting Wednesday. Officials say the increases would help cover rising operating costs and expand access to city water in northern parts of Cape Coral through the Utility Extension Project.

Some residents say the rising costs are forcing difficult financial decisions.

“Some people have actually been forced to move because they can’t keep up with the rising costs,” said resident Sandy Genter. “It’s hard on families. even our adult kids can’t afford things.”

The city said it is evaluating multiple long-term options for funding water and sewer infrastructure. One scenario uses traditional long-term debt and includes larger rate increases projected for 2028 and 2033, along with steady annual increases of about 5% in other years.

Another option relies more heavily on a commercial paper program, which could avoid an additional increase in 2028. Under that approach, rates would not rise beyond levels previously approved in 2024.

City officials emphasized that these are planning scenarios and no decisions have been made. Wednesday’s meeting is expected to be discussion-based, and any future rate changes would require formal approval by the City Council, along with advance notice to residents.

For now, some residents say they are bracing for what could come next.

“It’s the people who are here all the time who are really going to have to pay for it,” Pool said.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.