HomeMy WebLinkAboutG.O. Bond for Water & SewerG.O. Bond vs. Water Bill Increases
Fund critical infrastructure without forcing residents
into years of automatic water bill increases
The Real Choice
●Everyone agrees the infrastructure is needed
●The question is how we pay for it
●Option A: Force utility rate hikes
●Option B: Voter-approved G.O. Bond
Do we hide the cost in monthly water bills, or let voters
decide through a transparent G.O. Bond?
The “$10/Month” Talking Point Is Misleading
●“Just $10/month” is a sales pitch, not the full cost
●You cannot fund hundreds of millions with a small temporary increase
●The increases grow , repeat, and compound over time
●Future Miami-Dade County pass-throughs are not included
How Much Water Bills Will Rise
Annual Numbers Tell the Truth
●2035 single-family water bill increase: about $1,524/year
●2035 median homesteaded G.O. Bond cost: about $195/year
●Monthly talking points hide the true annual cost
●Annualized, utility hikes are far more painful
Utility Rate Hikes Are Regressive
●Hidden monthly tax on residents and businesses
●Not based on income, wealth, or ability to pay
●Hits renters, seniors, condo owners, families, and small
businesses hardest
●“Utility financing” = higher water bills
●Different label, same result: residents pay more every month
●A G.O. Bond spreads the cost more fairly and requires voter
approval
Why a G.O. Bond Is the Better Plan
●More equitable:based on property value
●More transparent:voter approval required
●Better match:Neighborhood Improvement Projects (NIPs)
improve roads, drainage, flooding protection, livability, and
property values across entire neighborhoods.
●More democratic:let residents decide