Casselberry City Commission Meeting – January 12, 2026

The Casselberry City Commission met in regular session at 5:30 PM on Monday, January 12, 2026, in the City Commission Chambers at 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry, Florida. Present were Mayor Henson, Vice Mayor Aaron Dia, and Commissioners Kirk, Bush, and DeVita. The commission approved minutes and the consent agenda, passed first reading of two ordinances (utility rates and a 380 S.R. 436 rezoning/PUD), ratified an interim Public Works Director, and heard public comment.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the December 8, 2025 regular meeting minutes as presented.
• Approved the consent agenda en bloc, including:
  • Legal services invoices: Garganese, Weiss, D'Agresta & Salzman, P.A. – $19,247.20; Fishback Dominick LLP – $542.00.
  • Task Authorization No. 2 with Hazen and Sawyer, P.C. for the Howell Park Water Treatment Ground Storage Tank Replacement design project.
  • Change Order No. 1 with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. for additional work on the Water and Sewer Utility Rate Study, $15,015.
  • Reorganization of the Public Works Streets Maintenance Division to add one full-time Staff Assistant I/II/Senior position.
  • Resolution 26-3557 approving an updated Safe Streets and Roads for All grant agreement with USDOT/FHWA for temporary pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements.
  • Budget Amendment #26-015 recognizing a $3,500 contribution for a memorial park bench.
  • Approval of the FY 2026-2027 Capital and Operating Budget Calendar.
  • Piggyback agreement with Veytec, Inc. for a one-year cybersecurity software subscription, $69,418.72.
  • Acceptance of the FY 2025 Annual Report of City Investment Activity for the year ending September 30, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

Comments on the utility rate ordinance (Ordinance 26-1628):

• Jim Lewis, 170 South Triplet Lake Drive, opposed the rate increase, saying the city compares itself to other cities rather than doing what is best for residents; he said water and trash pickup in Maitland were cheaper despite his Maitland house being twice the value of his Casselberry home.
• Felicia Verbreak, unincorporated Maitland, 2471 Worthington Road, expressed concern about annual increases and asked what benefit the water-main improvements provide; she also asked whether homeowners should buy sewer-line insurance, said rising bills and insurance were making it hard to afford to live, and asked that rates be shown clearly on bills.
• Andrew Sweeney, 496 Misty Oaks Run, said watering his lawn with potable water was very expensive and asked whether reclaimed water could be activated in Lake Griffin Estates; later, during general citizens' comments, he asked the commission to consider fixed or protected utility rates for seniors, people on fixed incomes, and residents facing financial hardship.
• Anita Williams, 2210 Chippewa Trail, Maitland, reported a water bill over $300 after connecting to sewer and asked how much of Casselberry's improvement costs were driven by Maitland-area customers. Staff clarified that Casselberry is the water provider in that area, the City of Maitland owns the sewer system, Casselberry bills Maitland's sewer rates on Maitland's behalf, and the proposed rate increase would affect only water charges.
• Elizabeth Parkman, 1576 Carlisle, Casselberry, a 70-year-old single person on Social Security, opposed the increase, said she believed city money is spent carelessly, and asked what would happen to seniors on fixed incomes.
• Danielle Meyering, 211 Triplet Lake Drive, asked the commission to consider Florida Senate Bill 718, which she said could restrict local water quality and quantity regulation, and to assess whether commercial properties and developers are bearing enough of the cost of high-density development and infrastructure demands.

General citizens' comments:

• Andrew Sweeney urged protected rates for seniors and financially vulnerable residents.
• Felicia Verbreak asked how citizens receive answers to questions, whether she needed sewer-line insurance, and who would be responsible if city utility work damaged her sewer line. Officials noted a homeowner is generally responsible for the line on their property, but if city utility work caused damage, the city would evaluate a claim.
• Judith Kelly, a Casselberry homeowner since 1992, recounted an earlier utility-boring project that damaged her sewer line, said she had to pay out of pocket and later received poor concrete repairs, and urged the city to inspect and take responsibility rather than leaving homeowners to discover damage.

No members of the public requested to speak on Ordinance 26-1629.

Discussion Items

• Under Future Agenda Items, no items were identified by the commission. No resolutions were on the agenda and no public hearings were listed.

First Reading: Ordinance 26-1628 – Utility Rate Study and Amendments

Raftelis consultants Trevor McCarthy and Matthew Orri presented an updated utility rate study. Key points included:

• The prior 2022 rate study held rates flat for two years; the city implemented the 2026 4% increase on October 1, 2025. The new study updates rates through fiscal year 2030.
• Projected revenue requirements increase by roughly $10 million over the forecast period: 38% from capital transfers, 25% from debt service, and 37% from operating and maintenance expenses. O&M inflation was assumed at about 3.5% per year above the FY 2026 budget.
• Staff identified approximately $111 million in capital projects over six years, mostly renewal and replacement of aging infrastructure; about 60% would be debt-funded and 40% funded from rates, reserves, and grants. Approximately $64 million of additional loans are projected through 2030, with payments beginning in 2028.
• The recommendation is 3.25% water and wastewater rate increases effective April 1, 2026, and 7.25% each October 1 thereafter. A typical customer using 5,000 gallons per month would see water/wastewater bills increase by roughly $5.70 to $7 per month in FY 2027–2030. Reclaimed water rates would be phased to 65% of potable irrigation rates by fiscal year 2030.
• The peer survey average monthly bill at 5,000 gallons was $75.31, compared with Casselberry's existing bill of about $75.91. Several peer utilities have announced increases ranging from 3% to 12%.
• Water system development charges were recommended to decrease; wastewater system development charges would increase from $2,633 to $2,896 per equivalent residential connection. Misc utility fees were updated, including raising the water/wastewater customer deposit from $1,420 to $4,000 because the meter alone costs $3,500. A new $30/month fats, oils, and grease charge was developed to replace the $100 biannual permit fee, but is expected to be brought forward in a separate ordinance.
• The ordinance itself amends Chapter 86 to establish new water, sewer, and reclaimed water rates for residential, commercial, and multifamily customers; provides for annual rate adjustments; updates utility department references; adjusts annexation/outside-city service requirements and deposit refunds; eliminates the 60-day effective date for the base sewer variable rate flow charge adjustment; updates public fire hydrant and irrigation/emergency water restriction provisions; and makes housekeeping amendments.

Commission discussion reflected recognition of the need for the increase, despite reluctance. A commissioner said his first inclination when charges increase is no, but he understood that aging underground infrastructure – some pipes more than 70 years old, with about 49 miles remaining to replace and roughly three miles costing over $10 million – was driving the need. Other commissioners praised the previous rate restraint and proactive capital planning that left Casselberry near the middle of its peer group.

First Reading: Ordinance 26-1629 – 380 S.R. 436 Rezoning / PUD

• City planner Hunter McFarn presented a request to rezone approximately 1.04 vacant acres at 380 S.R. 436, on the north side of 436 between Lamplight Way and Fern Park Boulevard, to PMX-MID (Planned Mixed-Use: Medium Rise) with a PUD agreement and concept plan.
• The proposed project is a quick-service drive-through bakery/restaurant identified as Mikado's Cafe. The property has a Major Thoroughfare Mixed-Use future land use designation and is in the Oxford Park Overlay District. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval in December.
• Staff recommended approval, finding the request consistent with the ULDR and Comprehensive Plan. No public comment was offered. The commission approved first reading unanimously.
• Note: The agenda labeled the item as the Mecato PUD (PUD 25-02), while the ordinance title read aloud referenced the Icon Commons PUD and the staff presentation used the name Mikado's Cafe for the restaurant.

Other Items: Interim Public Works Director and Reports

• The commission ratified the appointment of Martin Butcher as Interim Public Works Director effective January 16, 2026, following the departure of Dr. Kelly Brock effective January 15, 2026. Brock had served nearly 20 years with the city.
• The City Manager recognized Brock's contributions and announced a $17.2 million grant for safety improvements on South S.R. 436 from Oxford Road to the county line, based on the city's Vision Zero Action Plan.
• The City Attorney said the Florida legislative session would begin the following day and that staff would track bills. The City Clerk noted city facilities would be closed Monday, January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and that volunteer advisory board applications are due by Tuesday, January 20.
• Commissioners gave reports on community events and regional discussions, including e-bike and sidewalk safety concerns raised at a county municipal meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the December 8, 2025 minutes and the entire consent agenda.
• Passed Ordinance 26-1628 on first reading by unanimous voice vote; it will return for a second reading/final adoption.
• Passed Ordinance 26-1629 on first reading by unanimous voice vote; it will return for a second reading/final adoption.
• Ratified Martin Butcher as Interim Public Works Director effective January 16, 2026.
• Heard public comments for the commission's consideration on utility rates, senior/fixed-income protections, developer cost-sharing, sewer-line risk, and city accountability.
• No final utility rate action was taken; the proposed rates, if adopted after second reading, would take effect April 1, 2026.