Snowbirds can’t pause utilities anymore in Bradenton. Here’s why city closed ‘loophole’
City leaders are ending a policy that allows seasonal residents to save money on utilities when they aren’t using their homes in Bradenton.
Over the years, Bradenton has allowed snowbirds to put a pause on their utilities bill while they aren’t in town. During that time, seasonal residents don’t pay utility bills while full-time residents do, but city staff say it’s time for those part-time residents to pay their fair share.
In a recent presentation to the Bradenton City Council, staff asked the board to close the “loophole” for seasonal residents because the monthly utility bill also supports the routine maintenance of the city’s water and wastewater.
“There are ongoing fixed costs that don’t change whether the resident is in town or not,” said Lance Williams, the city’s assistant director of the Office of Management, Marketing and Budget.
“These fixed costs maintain water and wastewater assets, such as pipelines, pumps, plants, lift stations and buildings,” he added.
Williams explained that between 500 and 600 customers took advantage of a seasonal pause on utilities every year. Ending the policy is expected to bring in $36,000 every month to support that maintenance.
“Allowing some residents to use a disconnect-and-reconnect loophole is not equitable and just,” Williams said.
Under the updated policy, part-time residents will be charged the base rate associated with water, sewer, garbage, stormwater and utility costs even when they are away. For most homeowners, that fee will be $63.94 per month. Residents will still be charged that fee even if they choose to have their utility line disconnected, but that service will come with a $15 fee.
The change comes just weeks after Bradenton settled a lawsuit alleging that the city had violated the federal Clean Water Act by spilling too much sewage into the Manatee River. As part of the settlement agreement, city leaders have agreed to spend $8 million in federal stimulus funds to improve the wastewater treatment system.
Bradenton also collected $500,000 in state funding toward its ongoing review and replacement of aging sewage pipes throughout the city.
In a Facebook post that gained traction online Monday, one part-time Bradenton resident said he was upset with the decision to begin charging part-time residents for utilities throughout the year.
“When we go away, we make no garbage, use no water, use no sewer and don’t even drive on the city streets,” Forrest Broderick wrote. “I hope others who are as enraged at this outright THEFT are calling the city and doing something about this outrageous, unethical and unprecedented shakedown of its citizens.”
Speaking with the Bradenton Herald on Tuesday afternoon, Broderick, a longtime Bradenton resident who also spends time living in Pennsylvania, said he felt blindsided by the change and urged the city to consider charging lower fees.
“We were kind of shocked because we got a letter and boom, they wanted $70 in June,” he said. “I could understand $15 or $20. It’s just an awful lot of money for nothing.”
Broderick’s post attracted hundreds of responses by Tuesday afternoon, but many of the comments didn’t share any sympathy for the situation.
“To be fair, they are still responsible for the maintenance of the services delivered to your property,” Larry Blunk responded.
“Municipal services need to be sized for the community they serve. You choosing to live somewhere else half the year doesn’t mean the sanitation/water/etc. department can just downsize for when you’re not there,” another Facebook commenter added. “If you cannot afford two properties year-round, then you cannot afford two properties.”
During his presentation to the board, Williams said he struggled to find any other municipalities that allow utilities to be put on hold.
“The city of Bradenton is the only government agency between Ft. Myers and Tampa that actually has a non-billing option,” Williams said.
Board members voted unanimously to approve a resolution modifying the city’s utility policy for seasonal residents.
“This is not fair to the citizens that are paying year-round water that someone else has an economic advantage,” said Councilman Patrick Roff.
This story was originally published June 8, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
