APOPKA, Fla. – Apopka residents could see higher utility bills this fall as city leaders weigh a proposal to raise rates for water, reclaimed water, sewer, and garbage services.

The city recently mailed notices outlining the proposed hikes, sparking some confusion and debate on social media. Mayor Bryan Nelson said rising costs are driving the increases.

“We’ve got revenue, and we’ve got expenses,” Nelson told Apopka Community Correspondent Justin Warmoth. “When your expenses go up, you have to raise your rates.”

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Nelson explained that the St. Johns Water Management District is requiring Apopka to tap into a deeper aquifer for its water supply. That move, he said, means new treatment costs.

“You would think the water being deeper would be better, but it’s not,” Nelson said. “Now we have to put on an ozone treatment, which is another $5 or $6 million, so we’re at about $12 million all in on replacing what was a perfectly functioning water plant.”

The city estimates the cost will be passed on to residents through 15.5% increases for water, reclaimed water, and sewer.

“The utility has to stand on its own,” Nelson said. “It doesn’t have to make a profit. It’s not the intent of a utility to make a profit, but you have to cover your costs, and you have to have money in the bank to replace the pipes as they age out.”

Garbage collection rates could also rise by as much as 15% citywide. “When the tipping fees that go to the dump go up, we have to pass it on,” Nelson added.

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When asked whether the mayor thought Apopka was still an affordable place to live, he responded, “Yes, our tax rate is one of the lowest in the area. Our sanitation rates are one of the lowest in the area. You have to look at the global area. If we were 20% or higher than everybody in the area, then I think you’d have a reason to question our rates.”

Some residents argue the city’s rapid growth is fueling the rate increases. Nelson pushed back on that claim.

“We try to manage how many units, what kind of growth we’re putting on those properties,” he said. “At the end of the day, property rights are what this country was founded on.”

After being questioned about whether the city is playing catch-up to the infrastructure improvement needed following the population boom, Nelson responded, “I don’t know that I agree with that. Our impact fees — the numbers we just put together last week — are the highest in Central Florida. It’s just like the water rates; you have to charge based on the actual cost and the need. You can’t just say, ‘You know what? We’re going to triple, quadruple the impact fees.’ You can’t do that. You have to say, ‘Here’s the nexus on how we got to that rate.’”

A public hearing on the proposed rate increases is scheduled for Sept. 3 at Apopka City Hall. If approved, the new rates would take effect Oct. 1.