Longwood commissioners advance water rate increase amid resident concerns

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]Raising water rates in Seminole County.

[00:00:02]I'm your community correspondent Troy Campbell and right now we're in Longwood where it was a heated conversation. We heard from several homeowners telling the commission they don't agree with raising those water rates. The city of Longwood says it has no other choice.

[00:00:17]Well, I do understand the predicament we're in.

[00:00:21]But the size of the increases is what I question. Homeowners in Longwood showing up to commission chambers on Monday evening to voice their opposition over increased water rates beginning October 1st. This seems like a phenomenal amount of money. I said, well, how can I get around this?

[00:00:40]I'll drink more wine. Ah.

[00:00:43]But I think that would be negligible.

[00:00:46]The city of Longwood says it conducted a financial study for its water treatment facility and maintenance. The recommendation, significantly raising water rates.

[00:00:55]>> So, by the time you get through with all of this, that's over, you know, 30 bucks a month it's going to raise. By 2029, it's expected bills will be more than double what they currently are. For example, residential meters will go from $15.29 to $35.30 by October 2029. So, what can we do to help the community cuz we all want to put forth help and we all know we need, you know, upgrades. But somehow we've got to come to some kind of give and take thing on this and transparency. The commission passed the first reading of the rate hike in a vote three to two. Aye.

[00:01:38]Commissioner Sackett? No.

[00:01:40]Commissioner McMillan?

[00:01:42]Aye.

[00:01:43]Commissioner Morgan? No. The city of Longwood says the money will also pay for a brand new water treatment facility. So, rate hikes are necessary to best serve the residents of Longwood for years to come. I have a question.

[00:01:54]Why did you all wait till after you approved all these monster monster sized apartments and now you all decide that we need to replace this.

[00:02:03]Now what's next? There will be a second public hearing scheduled for June 1st and of course we will keep you updated to see if this rate hike does pass. In Longwood, Troy Campbell, News 6.