Sarasota County Proposes Hike in Stormwater Fees, Yet Audit Reveals Surplus of Millions

Excerpt on Sarasota County Stormwater Tax Increase Proposal

Just two years after a substantial increase in stormwater environmental utility rates, Sarasota County staff is once again asking taxpayers to open their wallets to bolster water quality and flood protections ahead of future storms.

The proposed tax increase comes as county leaders scramble to fill gaps in the stormwater system that last year left thousands of homes flooded in unsuspecting neighborhoods miles from the coast.

A joint investigation by the Florida Trident and Suncoast Searchlight into the failures found that the county ignored sediment buildup in Phillippi Creek, left key stormwater positions vacant while work orders piled up, and overlooked glaring system vulnerabilities noted by consultants years earlier. All contributed to a stormwater utility operating in disarray.

To address these issues, the county hired new Stormwater Director Ben Quartermaine, who has proposed raising annual rates by more than one-fourth on average to fund the department’s turnaround.

However, this recommendation contradicts a newly released audit by Steve Suau, a retired department head and current consultant. Operating on a $30 million annual budget, Suau’s audit indicates that the department already has a surplus of stormwater funds and suggests refraining from imposing new taxes.

These competing recommendations will be discussed at a stormwater workshop on Friday — the fourth of the year, following the historic flooding in 2024 that triggered widespread community outcry.

“Enough is enough,” Commissioner Tom Knight stated. “The overtaxation of our residents has got to end, and that includes their stormwater fees. We already have the highest rate per capita in the state.”

Quartermaine, who started on August 1, noted that he and Suau have identified several issues within the stormwater program but have not agreed on funding and priorities.

County Administrator Jonathan Lewis acknowledged the disagreement between Suau and Quartermaine, emphasizing that the final direction will rest with the commissioners.

Millions of Dollars for More Employees and New Equipment

Following the joint investigation in June, county leaders have claimed to address stormwater deficiencies. For instance, they directed Lewis to create a standalone Stormwater Department, removing it from the control of the Public Works Director.

The department has supplemented its workforce, hiring five contractor teams to handle an accumulated backlog of maintenance orders, aiming to restore stormwater pipes and improve overall system function.

Despite previous resistance, staff still seeks additional funds for hiring and equipment purchases, proposing an annual increase of approximately $31 for homeowners, bringing the average payment to $143.20.

Quartermaine is currently reviewing the projects audited by Suau and emphasizes the need for board direction before redirecting funds.

Suau Audit: Planned Stormwater Projects Lack Public Benefit

As part of the effort to understand what went wrong during last year’s storms, Suau has extensively audited the stormwater utility program. His findings indicate that most planned projects through stormwater assessments lack details regarding their benefits and cost justifications.

Suau identified $70 million in project costs that could potentially be redirected without increasing assessments on residents, paving the way for substantial annual savings.

The audit stressed that key project approvals should include a benefit-cost analysis, ensuring accountability in future expenditures.

Local resident Connie Neeley, impacted by last year’s flooding, expressed her opposition to any increase in stormwater fees, arguing that residents have yet to see tangible results from their taxes.

This story was produced by Suncoast Searchlight, a nonprofit newsroom of the Community News Collaborative serving Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, and Florida Trident, a nonprofit newsroom of the Florida Center for Government Accountability. Learn more at suncoastsearchlight.org and floridatrident.org.

Key Information

• Proposed stormwater tax increase to address flooding issues.
• Investigation reveals ignorance of sediment buildup and vacant stormwater positions.
• New Stormwater Director suggests a rate increase, while a consultant advises against it.
• Controversy surrounds funding and prioritization of stormwater projects.
• Potential annual increase of $31 for homeowners, totaling about $143.20 next year.