Casselberry Commission Unanimously Approves Ordinance Updating Water, Sewer Fees and Annexation

Commissioners in Casselberry voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 26-1628 during the Feb. 9 City Commission meeting, approving updated sewer, water and reclaimed water fees and a schedule of annual adjustments that will affect residential, commercial and multifamily customers. Consultant Trevor McCarthy presented an updated Water, Wastewater and Reclaimed Water Rate Study that framed the changes, including an initial 3.25% increase for water and wastewater and a 6.20% increase for reclaimed water effective April 1–Sept. 30, 2026, followed by multi-year annual increases through fiscal year 2030.

The ordinance amends portions of Chapter 86 of the Casselberry city code - the utilities chapter - and explicitly covers fee categories for residential, commercial and multifamily service classes. The commission conducted a public hearing during the second reading of Ordinance 26-1628 and amended various parts of Chapter 86 at that second reading before adopting the ordinance, signaling the city intends ongoing annual adjustments rather than one-time rate changes.

Annexation language was also revised as part of the ordinance to tighten requirements for properties outside city limits that seek city water and sewer service. Mark Hardin, identified at the meeting as an HOA president, asked for more information about the annexation-related changes and referenced problems his community experienced with annexation petitions in 2012. Mayor Henson said the changes are aimed at new developments only, indicating the administration’s intent to limit the revised criteria to future projects rather than existing neighborhoods.

The consent agenda included a legal-services invoice that appears in meeting materials as $24,267.75 for Garganese, Weiss, D'Agresta & Salzman, P.A., and the commission approved City Attorney Services for January 2026. The record for that item states, "This invoice is for City Attorney Services for the month of January 2026 and this budget will be available in the budget account." Meeting notes indicate all items on the agenda were passed unanimously.

Commissioners also issued a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month for the City of Casselberry; Alton Williams, chairman and treasurer of the Evergreen Cemetery Trustees, was unable to attend to accept the proclamation. City staff and the consultant’s study set the timetable for implementation: the April 1, 2026 interim increases followed by annual adjustments of 7.25% for water and wastewater and 12.10% for reclaimed water in fiscal years 2027–2030 are now codified in Ordinance 26-1628, while the full ordinance text and the Trevor McCarthy rate study will contain the detailed fee schedules and precise effective-date language residents and developers will need to assess exact billing impacts.