Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: June 11, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Joseph C. Kunkel, P.E., Director, Public Works Department
CONTACT: Brett Blackadar, P.E., Deputy Director
PHONE: (407) 836-7805
DIVISION: N/A
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Stormwater Utility Phase 2 Update.
body
PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE:
Orange County adopted a Stormwater Utility Ordinance in 1996; however, the decision at that time was to set the fee at $0, and it has remained at that level to the present day. The Mayor’s 2018 Transition Team Report identified a long-term action plan of utilizing the Stormwater Utility fee as a funding source to address stormwater and water quality projects.
The Board conducted two work sessions regarding stormwater management, and, at the close of the May 23, 2023 work session, tasks were identified to move Orange County to a more resilient community. One of the tasks was to complete the Phase 1 Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study. The Phase I Study was completed and presented to the board on May 6, 2025. During that meeting, the Board decided to move forward with Phase 2 tasks with the ultimate goal of funding a level of service “B” capital project program, which will allow staff to deliver the projects identified within 25 years, as well as using a tiered method of impervious square footage in the rate model. The tasks in Phase 2 were nearing completion except for community outreach which was pending the outcome of a discussion on May 5, 2026.
During the May 5, 2026 discussion, staff went over progress to date and the Board provided guidance to complete the community outreach and return with results and Phase 2 recommendations. The June 30, 2026 work session will provide updates on all Phase 2 tasks, including community outreach. At the conclusion of the presentation, we will seek guidance from the Board on whether to move forward with recommendations from the Phase 2 effort and community feedback which may include moving forward with Phase 3 implementation and update of the ordinance in Chapter 15, Article XII.
BUDGET: N/A