LONGWOOD, Fla. \u2013 A highly contested proposal to more than double water and wastewater utility rates is on hold after a City Commission vote Monday night.<\/p>\n
The Longwood city manager told commissioners the ordinance had been changed to remove all proposed utility and fee adjustments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ordinance has been revised and amended to remove all proposed utility and fee adjustments,\u201d the city manager said during the meeting.<\/p>\n
The pause comes after residents voiced outrage over the proposed increases. In earlier News 6 coverage, the city manager said higher fees were being considered to pay for needs such as improvements to aging infrastructure and a new water treatment facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe removal of these proposed fee adjustments will allow staff additional time to continue to evaluate the city\u2019s long-term financial strategy for future water, utility and infrastructure needs including water treatment plant facility improvements,\u201d the city manager said.<\/p>\n
News 6 previously reported the city was considering raising rates from $15.29 to $35.30 by October 2029.<\/p>\n
Commissioners discussed the pause-proposal for about 15 minutes before voting. The mayor announced the motion passed unanimously.<\/p>\n
After the vote, residents in the room appeared relieved, with some smiling and quietly saying they felt heard.<\/p>\n
Several residents later spoke during public comment about why the pause matters to them.<\/p>\n
One resident, Shawn Martin, said his water bill has climbed dramatically over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2016, my water bill was about $70\u2026$75 dollars,\u201d Martin said. \u201cMy bill is $300-$350 a month now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another resident, by the name of Joanne told commissioners she worries about being priced out of the community she has called home for decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a senior. I have been here for 37 years,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I came to Longwood loving Longwood, this small town community, but I don\u2019t wanna be forced out because I just can\u2019t afford it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
News 6 will continue to update this story as new details become available.<\/p>\n
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