Faced with unfunded state mandates to clean up its lakes, Lakeland commissioners raised the stormwater fee by $2.

  • Lakeland increasing stormwater fee to $8 per month for residential homes
  • City says they need the money to clean up its lakes, as required by the state

"We have what's known as unfunded mandates that come from the state, and one of those is water quality issues, especially with some of our lakes," explained city spokesman Kevin Cook. 

Before, each residential household paid $6 per month. Starting Oct. 1, the fee will increase to $8 per month. Businesses will have to pay $8 per 5,000 square foot of building and impervious area, including patios, porches, driveways, sidewalks, parking areas and athletic courts. Some households and businesses are eligible for credits for making stormwater improvements to their properties. 

Commissioner Justin Troller called the fee hike "long overdue" after the ordinance was approved Monday. Mayor Howard Wiggs said the businesses would feel more of the impact. 

"There are a lot of folks like me who own some properties. It's going to be a hit to us," Wiggs said during the commission meeting. 

Lakes and Stormwater Manager Laurie Smith said there are five lakes in Lakeland that are a priority, because they're currently not meeting state water quality standards. She said they have a high level of phosphorous and nitrogen, making them susceptible to algae blooms which lead to fish kills. 

Cleaning those lakes could cost millions of dollars, which the city doesn't have enough money in its surplus fund to foot the bill. It hopes the fee hike will help take care of that concern. 

"We're working with some consultants who specialize in lake cleanups, and we're looking at all of our priority lakes and coming up with a plan that will address water quality in the lakes," said Laurie Smith. 

After this year, the stormwater fee will increase incrementally about 40 to 50 cents per year, similar to a cost of living increase. The ordinance requires commissioners to re-evaluate the rate hike annually, to decide if it's still necessary.