Palm Bay's Utility Shift: Director Exits Amidst Connection Countdown
Palm Bay's Utility Shift: Director Exits Amidst Connection Countdown
As homeowners face a looming utility connection mandate, Palm Bay's Utilities Director makes an unexpected exit.
In a city where the ebb and flow of change are as constant as the tides, Palm Bay residents find themselves at a pivotal moment. The recent approval of a mandatory connection to potable water and sewer utilities ordinance has stirred the waters, signaling a significant shift towards environmental stewardship and community health. Yet, as the city prepares to navigate this new course, it does so under the shadow of Utilities Director Christopher Little’s departure.
Christopher Little, who has played a pivotal role in steering the Utilities Department, announced his resignation in an email to his team. His last day with the city coincides with a critical juncture for Palm Bay, as the first notification letters to homeowners regarding the utility mandate are set to be dispatched in less than 90 days. Little’s resignation, attributed to his acceptance of a new job opportunity, marks the end of an era of leadership that saw the city through various challenges and achievements in the utilities sector.
The mandatory connection ordinance, unanimously approved by the Palm Bay City Council on November 2, 2023, mandates the connection of approximately 1,066 developed parcels to the city sewer and 2,344 parcels to city water where services are available. This ordinance is a monumental step towards eliminating over 32,000 existing septic systems and 12,000 drinking water wells, aiming to protect the Indian River Lagoon from pollution and ensure the health and safety of Palm Bay’s residents.
The city plans to implement this mandate in phases, with the first notifications to impacted property owners slated for summer 2024. Property owners will have one year from the date of notification to connect their properties to the city’s utilities. This phased approach underscores the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its dedication to a healthier future for all residents.
As Palm Bay embarks on this significant environmental initiative, the search for a new Utilities Director is underway. The city has posted a job listing for the position, highlighting the critical role the incoming director will play in the successful implementation of the utility mandate. The new director will inherit the challenge of guiding the city through this transformative period, ensuring the smooth execution of the mandate, and fostering a sustainable future for Palm Bay.
The departure of Christopher Little and the impending utility mandate represent a time of transition for Palm Bay. While the city faces the challenge of navigating these changes, the spirit of resilience and community remains strong. As Palm Bay looks to the horizon, the commitment to environmental stewardship and the health of its residents shines as a guiding light, steering the city towards a brighter, more sustainable future.
🌊💡As we bid farewell to Christopher Little and brace for the changes ahead, let’s remember that every wave of change brings new opportunities. Palm Bay stands ready to embrace these challenges, united in our journey towards a healthier, more sustainable community.
For more information about the utility mandate and to determine if or when you will be mandated to connect to the city utilities, please visit the city’s page here. Additionally, residents can use the GIS map available here to enter their address and determine their connection status.
Government going to RIPOFF MORE CASH FROM THE PUBLIC.
Once they have you Forced connected to their SIDE DEALS
GET READY, THEY WILL MAKE SURE YOUR RATES DOUBLE OR TRIBBLE TO COVER THEIR'S AND THEIR CON - TRACTORS EXPENSES.
Thanks for that update Tom. I was watching the last council meeting podcast recently and when Mr Little got up to speak, the Mayor seemed to greet him like the cat that swallowed the canary. I'm guessing the Mayor was in the know. I don't know Mr Little personally (and for all I know he may be a great guy) , but I found some of his performances at the council meetings less than impressive. He seemed to always be selling his own book with his advocacy for mandatory utility connections (so is he the dog that finally caught the car after chasing it for years?). I seem to recall at one council meeting a few years ago (when the council was discussing the millage and rollback rates for the following year's budget) Mr Little critiqued the number that the council was converging on saying "we were leaving money on the table" (presumably to fund expansion of his utility). I was offended as the $$ he was talking about was not his money, it was OUR money (which gave the impression that he thought any extra disposable income of the residents should go to his benevolent projects). If memory serves, in the same meeting after 20 questions by then Councilman Baily, he got the staff to say they needed the higher milage rate to fund growth, to which Mr Baily's response was the 'growth was supposed to fund itself' . I guess I should be happy that Mr Little is moving on and I wish him good luck. However, I had a horrible thought that for a replacement, they may hire some next gen seriously indoctrinated bureaucrat that thinks their allegiance is to the Utility and not the residents.(I'll look to the Palm Bayer for that story coverage and try not to loose sleep in any event) . "smooth execution of the mandate" -I presume "smooth" will be in the eye of the beholder, with the Mayor saying "Tallahassee" as bit off a big chunk here putting timelines in question, , and neither of my State representatives will engage the voters on the subject, I'm not sure smooth is in the cards. (I hope folks keep this in mind when these candidates come around asking for support)