Is Bradenton ‘behind the 8 ball’ with utility rates? See recent rate increases
As Bradenton leaders consider utility rate increases, officials say small increases over the past five years haven’t been enough.
Officials told the Bradenton City Council at a recent workshop meeting that the city is “behind the eight ball” with its utility rates. According to data presented by staff, the City of Bradenton charges less than surrounding municipalities like the City of Palmetto and Manatee County Government.
“Where we’re at right now is we really haven’t adjusted it as would have been appropriate in the past to keep up with repair, replacement and preventative maintenance,” City Administrator Rob Perry said. “We’re behind the eight ball, but we’re catching up.”
While the city has one of the lowest rates in the area, there have been several recent rate increases.
Previous utility rate increases include:
- A 3% increase effective November 1, 2025
- A 6% increase effective October 1, 2023, which also included solid waste fees
- A 2% increase effective October 1, 2021
The city said higher rates are needed to fund key wastewater and stormwater projects. The city’s “Face It, Fix It” initiative includes millions of dollars in planned projects to improve its aging infrastructure, which has caused sewage spills into the Manatee River.
On June 10, city council members are expected to vote on a 7.5% rate increase that, if approved, would start immediately. The rate increase would add about $3 to the average utility bill, officials say, but further rates increases could be on the way.
Chief Operating Officer Lance Williams also told the council that a study conducted by an outside consultant will be available in July to further assess the city’s rates.
“It would be astonishing if we presented it, quite frankly,” Williams said of a preliminary report he reviewed. “The 7.5% represents a very small portion of what they’re saying the needs are going to be.”
At the May 6 workshop, officials emphasized the importance of starting to increase rates to get on track and build reserve funding for upcoming projects so the city doesn’t find itself further behind.
“We’ve got to do something…or we’re going to be — the city is going to be — right back in the same situation in years to come,” Mayor Gene Brown said.
