Utility Costs

City officials said holding rates flat would come with its own consequences.

Commissioners agreed Tuesday to move forward with a wastewater rate overhaul.

There is plenty of support for a plan to build a Rays stadium in Tampa. But there are skeptics, and the most vocal is on "Florida Matters Live & Local." Commissioner Joshua Wostal gives specifics ahead of some big votes.

"Alligator Alcatraz." Guns. Social media. Legal battles about those and myriad other issues remain unresolved heading into 2026. Here are 10 big legal issues to watch for.

A key question has been how to make electric-system upgrades without saddling existing utility customers with costs.

The increases do not reflect funding for the highly-touted St. Pete Agile Resiliency Plan (SPAR), which would cause stormwater rates to increase between 20% and 75% in 2027 instead of the planned 15%.

One official said the county is seeing a lot of people overusing their sprinklers, and they also easily break without them knowing.

The St. Petersburg City Council continues to question why some residents' water bills were as much as six times the normal amount following last year's hurricanes.

In some cases, residents are being charged more than double what they typically pay. Last week, city council members fast-tracked the issue for futher discussion on Feb. 20.

The city council is scheduled to vote on a study to see if that's a better option. Complaints have grown about rising costs and the utility cutting down trees on private property.

The city and Duke Energy announced the Renter Utility Relief Program at a news conference Friday. This plan will help renters pay electric, sanitation and water bills that are past due.

North Port officials say residents who want to temporarily discontinue services could face a $27,000 reconnection fee.