CEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
BOARD MET SEPTEMBER 14,
SET MILLAGE RATE, DISCUSSED BOUNDARIES
The Cedar Key Water and Sewer District members met on Monday, September 14, 2026, at their offices on Third Street at 5 pm. All commissioners were present: Chair Mike Borelli, Treasurer Leslie Sturmer, Joe Hand, Johnathan Ferguson, and Sue Colson.
Among the concerns and decisions made were the following.
BUDGET
• The Tentative Millage Rate for Fiscal Year 2027 is 2.1250; the rate may be lowered but not increased before the Final Budget Hearing.
• Members approved the first reading of the rates for Fiscal Year 2027: an 8% rise in water and a 10% rise in sewer. The rates resulted from the Florida Rural Water Asset Management and Rate Study advising the percentage increase.
• The Final Budget Hearing is September 28, 2026, at 5:01 pm.
• John Rittenhouse presented the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit papers, prepared by James Moore and Company; the audit resulted in the best rating possible.
INFRASTRUCTURE
• The Lift Station One repair on First Street is complete; the sidewalk finishing work is nearly complete.
• Phase II of the three-phase lift station project has begun. Phase II involves seven stations, three of which are being worked on currently.
• Fully funded by grants, two mobile generators are being built by Tradewinds Power Corporation and will be delivered mid-October. One will reside at the Water Plant; the other at the Wastewater Plant.
DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
• A lengthy discussion involved expanding the CKWSD service boundaries. Concerns included: the need to service areas currently with poor quality well water and septic tanks, additional customers and revenue, the Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative completion, the legislature’s willingness to allow the district to expand, and more. Members decided to revisit the issue after pertinent questions were compiled and pondered.
IN ATTENDANCE:
CKWSD staff in attendance included General Manager John Rittenhouse, Alicia Johns, Superintendent Gabe Doty and Attorney Evan Rosenthal. Audience members included Doris Hellerman, Mandy and Frank Offerle.
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