Palm Bay City Council to Discuss 2025 Budget and Infrastructure

The Palm Bay City Council has a busy week ahead with two meetings scheduled.

Budget Hearing Rescheduled Due to Hurricane Helene

The council will meet on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, at 6:00 PM for the second and final public hearing on the 2025 budget. This meeting was rescheduled from September 26th due to Hurricane Helene. The agenda remains the same, with the council expected to vote on the final budget.  You can read our previous coverage of the budget hearing here.

Wastewater and Water Master Plans on the Agenda

The council will then meet for its regular meeting on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, at 6:00 PM.  Among the items on the very sparse agenda are the Wastewater and Water Master Plans, which outline the city's infrastructure needs for the next 20 years.  These plans are crucial, especially in light of the recent discussion about mandatory hookups to city services.  You can read more about that here.

The Wastewater Master Plan identifies $375 million in capital improvement projects, including upgrades to wastewater treatment plants, lift stations, and force mains. The plan also addresses the need to reduce nutrient discharges from septic systems to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon. This is especially important in light of the new regulations from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which require all septic tanks in the city to be inspected every five years and upgraded or connected to the city sewer system.  You can read more about the changes here.

The Water Master Plan identifies $395 million in capital improvement projects, including new wells, water treatment plants, storage tanks, and distribution mains. The plan also addresses the need to replace aging asbestos cement water lines.

One of the key projects identified in the Wastewater Master Plan is the construction of a new South Regional Water Reclamation Facility (SRWRF). This facility, which is currently under construction, has faced significant delays and cost overruns.  You can read more about the challenges facing the SRWRF here. The SRWRF is expected to be completed in 2025 and will provide much-needed additional wastewater treatment capacity for the city. The new facility will also play a crucial role in the city's efforts to reduce nutrient discharges into the Indian River Lagoon.

$2.7 Million Allocated in Consent Agenda

The council will also vote on several items in the Consent Agenda, including contracts for software maintenance and support ($258,192) and prefabricated concrete buildings ($190,968). The total amount of funding allocated in the Consent Agenda is $2.7 million.

New Utilities Director

The meeting comes at a time of transition for the city's Utilities Department, as former Director Christopher Little resigned to pursue a new opportunity, as detailed in our previous article, Palm Bay's Utility Shift: Director Exits Amidst Connection Countdown. Gabriel Bowden, who was announced as the new Director of Utilities in July 2024, will play a crucial role in overseeing the implementation of the city's mandatory hookup ordinance, which requires all properties with access to city water and sewer services to connect to those services. This transition in leadership will be crucial as the city navigates the challenges of implementing this significant change and ensuring a smooth transition for residents.

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