Orlando is massively increasing stormwater rates for Orlando. They are looking for a big cash grab and are hitting existing homeowners with some severely dramatic increases that will get tacked on to our already substantial property tax bills.

I have a small condo built in 1974, its less than 700 square feet of living space. I would like a bigger place, but unfortunately my budget doesn't allow it. I'm being charged for 2743 square feet because (I have no idea and the rules are not clear) of rainwater runoff. According to this sheet they sent me, they are increasing my property taxes $293.14 and that's for only 700 square feet. If you have a larger place, expect double or triple that number.

They aren't going to be updating the wastewater facilities for your property, this is for all the overpriced new development that existing Orlando residents couldn't afford unless we won the lottery.

I've already been hit with the maximum HOA increase allowed by law because of recent changes in Florida laws due to the collapse of that condo in South Florida and my entire condo association is only 30 units and they are single story. I know I am lucky to have bought this place 2 decades ago, and the area is improving which I am very grateful for, but why am I expected to pay for literal multi-million dollar houses they are building just down the street? They aren't building anything "affordable" that's for sure.

They had a city council hearing for this on April 22 @ 2:00 pm. I took time off of work to drive downtown, park, go through the whole mess to go to the hearing. I was sitting there and then they decided they weren't going to discuss the new stormwater changes and punted it to a meeting on May 13. Then almost 50 people got up and left becuase they were obviously there for the same reason that I was to understand why they were increasing the stormwater fees. If you want to see the meeting, you can see where they intentionally tricked us from being able to address this at the last minute you can watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/_gjwwURzUP8?si=fLDHI97kbXjK2BcI&t=1883

They sent us a document stating that we could come to this meeting to speak on the new wastewater rules but did not notify us that they changed the date until we were already there. They say they are doubling it, but the way they are calculating it seems like a lot more than doubling it from every notice they have sent me.

The new meeting is Monday May 13th. City Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers. 2:00 pm

https://www.orlando.gov/Events/City-Council-Meeting

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2024/05/09/its-not-fair-orlando-residents-push-against-huge-rise-in-proposed-stormwater-utility-fees/

https://bungalower.com/2024/05/09/orlando-stormwater-fees-could-increase-by-at-least-50/

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/annual-stormwater-utility-fees-could-rise-46-percent-some-city-orlando-residents/QCW5WXYYRFBYTDSWTFU5ZILQGM/

Submit a written request to speak by selecting one of the following options:

1. Complete an online comment form on orlando.gov/councilcomment
2. Email to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
3. Mail to City Clerk, Public Comment 400 South Orange Avenue Orlando, FL 32801, or
4. Drop off to the City Clerk's Office on the 2nd floor of City Hall