Residents in Sanford might need to tighten their belts as the city proposes utility rate hikes to combat inflation and maintain quality services. The city shared the potential changes online, quick to draw criticism from constituents wary of their bills increasing, noted in the dozens of comments posted by concerned customers. According to the City of Sanford, the bump would be a 7.5% increase in water, reclaimed water, and sewer services. The Sanford City Commission is set to chew over this proposal at a meeting on September 9, as reported by ClickOrlando.

A city-hired financial consultant raised the alarm that without these increases, Sanford wouldn't be able to keep up with capital maintenance and repairs. Current rates are projected to fall short of covering costs for these necessary repairs and improvements by 2028. "Inflation. The same thing everybody else is facing," Mayor Art Woodruff stated, as per ClickOrlando, recognizing the shared burden inflation has imposed on his city's operations.

Local business owners are not immune to the impact, with the potential increases causing concern about operating costs. Jay Hill, owner of Jay's Painting and Home Improvements, revealed that any hike in utility bills might force him to raise his prices, a move he hasn't considered necessary in years. "It's just not right. It’s already hard enough to live as it is and pay bills, and it’s just not right, I think," Hill said, reflecting the strain already felt by many amid the current economic landscape, per My News 13 report.

But, it's not just individuals feeling the squeeze; the repercussions would also ripple through to commercial businesses. Woodruff pointed out that while impact fees from new development can cover some of the costs, they cannot stretch to cover everything the city needs. Addressing aging infrastructure, including water meters, sewage plants, and the necessity for a new water treatment plant to filter out harmful chemicals, Woodruff emphasized, according to ClickOrlando, "If we want the city that people keep asking for, you know, the well-maintained, the one that I’ve been advocating for since I was first elected, we need to take care of infrastructure. We need to do maintenance."

While the decision rests in the hands of the City Commission, with a conclusive vote slated for October 14, residents and business owners brace for the financial impact. Should the changes get the green light, Sanford dwellers can expect their utility bills to rise starting November 1.