ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – St. Pete metropolis council members heard an choice to pay for infrastructure initiatives that might assist with flooding and different points, however voters would resolve if property house owners ought to pay for it.
What we all know:
“We have seen points through the hurricanes with bogs not flushing, issues like that. We have to be sure that these issues aren’t occurring sooner or later,” stated Richie Floyd, St Pete’s metropolis council member for District 8.
READ: St. Pete goals to make Southwest Water Reclamation Facility extra resilient forward of future storms
Floyd was among the many committee members who heard metropolis officers lay out a plan on Thursday for $614 million {dollars} in stormwater and wastewater initiatives, and learn how to pay for it over 5 years.
“The plan’s simply getting began, however we’re having a dialogue at Metropolis Corridor proper now about issuing bonds to fund infrastructure and paying for them by doing a referendum that might put it on property taxes as a substitute of utility charges,” stated Floyd.
pay for the initiatives can be as much as voters in November 2026, however work wouldn’t begin till 2027.
MORE: St. Pete officers reveal $160M catastrophe restoration plan to assist victims of the 2024 hurricanes
“There are not any ensures that that’s going to cross. And if that’s all we’re ready on to speed up these initiatives, after which it doesn’t cross, what can we do then? We’re now out of choices,” stated St. Pete Metropolis Councilmember Brandi Gabbard of District 2 through the assembly.
What they’re saying:
For some areas of St. Petersburg, it doesn’t take a lot to flood.
“When it is excessive tide, water comes into our streets. In order that has to cease. It is known as sunny day flooding,” stated Kevin Batdorf, a Shore Acres resident and president of the Shore Acres Civic Affiliation.
Shore Acres is a neighborhood within the St. Pete space that consistently offers with drainage issues and flooding, and residents have been vocal about desirous to see modifications to infrastructure there.
“Hurricane Helene gave the remainder of the town the angle that we see,” stated Batdorf.
Batdorf is considered one of many locals who wish to see the town’s infrastructure develop into extra resilient. He needs to see motion sooner.
“If this bond challenge does go to a referendum, I want to see initiatives which might be deliberate and shovel prepared previous to that election,” stated Batdorf. “I do not know that I can assist it in any other case, as a result of the town simply drags their toes too lengthy and by the point a venture comes up for development, the price of it’s doubled, tripled.”
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Paying extra isn’t well-liked, so fairness is within the dialog.
“There are numerous property house owners who personal luxurious house buildings, industrial developments that do not dwell right here, do not contribute to our society. And we’ll be placing the burden extra closely on them than on renters that dwell right here,” stated Floyd.
Floyd stated utilizing property taxes helps unfold the burden versus elevating utility payments. However, he stated the plan is only one of a number of methods the town is seeking to pay for what’s wanted.
What’s subsequent:
Within the meantime, metropolis officers stated they’re utilizing what they’ve now to maneuver ahead with different initiatives. Metropolis council additionally introduced up accelerating precedence initiatives with the plan. Councilmembers will talk about it once more in one other committee assembly within the coming months.
The Supply: This data was gathered by FOX 13’s Briona Arradondo from St. Petersburg Metropolis Council authorities and a funds finance and taxation committee assembly,
