ST. PETERSBURG, Fla (WFLA) — The St. Petersburg City Council is moving forward with a planned rate hike for water, wastewater, reclaimed water, sanitation, and stormwater utilities. If passed, customers could pay an extra 7% on their overall bill. That could be an average of $8-$10 for single family homes.

“I think people are having a hard enough time just making it as it is now. And every time the rates go up, that means there’s less money in their pocket to do other things that they need to do to take care of families,” said Sundra Caldwell, a resident.

The city approved the first hearing of the plan during a council meeting Thursday. The extra money would help pay for projects to modernize outdated systems and lower emergency repair costs.

Residents said they want the council to be creative with the payments instead of taxes being moved from the utility into the general fund.

“I’m asking council again to consider even just temporarily reducing or eliminating those transfers so more money residents pay right now stays with the utility,” said a woman who called into the meeting.

Council member Richie Floyd voiced another idea for some relief.

“I think a lot of people in this city want to see us put more burden on, you know, development,” said Floyd. “And they’re not contributing the same way that residents are to utilities because they’re not here paying utility bills. And if we put it on a property taxes, they will be.”

Council member Mike Harting pointed out the hardship it could bring for different situations.

“You as a homeowner have a higher mileage rate so you pay more in property taxes. as a renter whoever owns my property, well this is their only source of income, he’ll pay it but he’ll raise my rent in order to pay it,” said Harting.

Council member Corey Givens voted against the measure, and said the property tax reduction vote in November could change everything.

“That can determine whether or not we have the resources, the property taxes to pay for these upgrades. So I feel like putting the cart before the horse is not wise,” said Givens.

On August 27, the council will have a public hearing on the rates, and that’s when the final vote will happen. If approved, the increases will start October 1.

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