Patience was the name of the game Monday during the city commission meeting.
Two vastly different studies were presented to commissioners to review. For the most part, the information was helpful, clarifying, but ultimately something to pocket for another day.
A presentation on the results of the “It’s Time Tampa Bay” study, which impacts 2045 transportation plans for local governments, was shown Monday.
Thousands of residents took the survey on transportation solutions. It had a record-breaking response and
participants made it clear their biggest concerns were on fixing traffic congestion and finding alternatives to driving. They wanted leaders to consider elevated lanes and improved freeway ramps and possibly implement tolls for congestion management.
The results echo the public’s passion for a change as evidenced by the passing of All For Transportation on Election Day, which will raise the sales tax 1% to fund improvements to transportation and transit throughout all of Hillsborough County.
Of the funds gathered via the tax, 45% will go to HART and 54% will be split between the cities of Plant City, Tampa, Temple Terrace and Hillsborough County. There’s just one problem. Plant City doesn’t utilize HART. So where does that leave residents?
Commissioners are asking the same question and have frequently stated the passing of All For Transportation changes the nature of the conversation. City Manager Bill McDaniel and Mayor Rick Lott are meeting with HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward next week to see how Plant City can have a seat at the table.
The answer is unclear, but the city is eager to have a say in how its residents benefit from the fees they are paying. The commission is expected to select a representative to the oversight committee that is being formed to manage the funds.
Plant City’s Chief Financial Officer, Diane Reichard, presented the results of a water and sewer rate study Monday. Stantec was hired in May of 2017 and given $39,975 to complete an in-depth study on the rates.
The study found the GDP Price Deflator utilized by the city works. Commissioner Nate Kilton said he approved of a slowly increasing rate rather than waiting for the need and having residents pay a drastically larger rate all at once.
The study also pointed out the issue the city currently has with reclaimed water. Another study is currently underway with the city to determine the specifics of the issue and to hopefully offer a meaningful solution to the problem.
Because of the ongoing study, Reichard recommended commissioners simply wait before making a decision. Yes, the clock is ticking on a solution, but until the study is completed there’s no way to know what the best solution is.
City Manager Bill McDaniel said the city is dealing with millions of gallons of reclaimed water and, having lost outlets like the Walden Lake Golf Course and Mosaic, it has become a “big issue.” When applying for the position of city manager, McDaniel said he wanted to make this a city priority.
He said his talks with the corresponding agencies have gone positively so far. He said “we are in a pickle,” but the partnerships have been very positive and he is confident they will come to a solution soon.
There are a lot of changes on the horizon, but for now, commissioners are attempting to get as much knowledge and information as they can before they jump into any solutions.