This all comes back to a ridiculous density issue. Living in an HOA is not home ownership in America, secondly the density only benefits developers. This is just as bad as pollution and if a plane should crash or a tornado should occur the devastation will be tremendous and none of our hospitals combined are prepared nor is our public safety for a catastrophic event. We can reduce casualties and a lot of these flooding issues simply by reducing the density. No more than a half acre per unit.
What we need is a moratorium on residential development, until our infrastructure issues are addressed and we have a long-term plan and our *public safety Is caught up and over budgeted. This is responsible leadership in a growing county.
Forgive me if I seem a little ignorant, but don't we already pay for the county to maintain our stormwater drains? It would seem that our ad-valorem taxes have been covering those expenses for the past...well, more than 50 years? What about increasing the impact fees so the developer has to pay that? And if the impact fee isn't earmarked for such a thing, rewrite the ordinance so it is.
Manatee County thought it was a great idea to remove all impact fees from the developers after the 2008 financial crisis to fire up the housing market when in fact, it was the developers who had all the money.
I don't think we need to start adding fees here and there on a financially burdened society until this government can begin to take control and become accountable for what we already give them.
Very valid concerns and appreciate your feedback. Stormwater is rainwater that flows from gutters, driveways, and storm drains into rivers, lakes, or oceans.
Effective management requires building, maintaining, and planning for these systems. The mishandling during TS Debby, which caused $56 million in damages, shows the current approach isn't working. A dedicated stormwater utility funded by use-based fees could have prevented such costly outcomes.
Currently, stormwater management in Manatee County is piecemealed from various sources, often diverted elsewhere. Creating a dedicated stormwater utility would ensure funds are used solely for stormwater management, providing better protection against flooding and environmental harm. A new assessment is also needed to plan for future needs.
Impact fees are meant to pay for new infrastructure, but not collecting them fully or failing to increase them to 100% of the needed amount was one of the worst decisions made. This has left us underfunded for necessary projects.
Nothing "ensures" that dedicated funds would remain in one departments budget. There are often times when funds are moved from one budget to another if deficits (for whatever reason) occur. It's not common but it does happen.
We have a stormwater system in this county. There are catch basins connected to a system of pipes that move water from point a to b. Is it pristine and without fault? No, far from it. So I agree that infrastructure in this county (and the country as a whole) needs to be updated. However, the part that gives me heartburn is how the developers got away for nearly a decade without contributing to the cause. The same developers that are altering the character of this community in exchange for the mighty dollar.
It comes down to a question of financial fairness. Is it right for the existing community to be assessed for infrastructure rebuild when the ones (Developers) who caused much of the issue (by exchanging permeable for impermeable surfaces) never put a dime into the coffers for such projects?
I am a longtime resident here. Born in 1955 in Manatee Memorial Hospital and gave so much to the community in terms of public safety. During summer months from school, I actually surveyed the county with my uncle and grrandfather for the installation of water and sewer. They both worked for the engineering company Russell and Axon who were an integral part of that project. I am a very transparent individual who does not care very much for politics unless I start seeing nefarious and malicious activity coming from within...which is now. Greed is a horrible component of government and should never be allowed inside. It's like the camel that is allowed to first just stick its nose under the tent. If not corrected, before long the entire camel is inside the tent and that's not good. The camel will slowly create an environment saturated with improprieties. The camel has to remain outside of the tent if any government wishes to work efficiently, effectively and on a bipartisan level.
Right. Consider storm water services are not consumed in the same way as water or sewage services so usage is not manageable in the same manner. The city of palmetto has done this and it really hasn’t made much difference. These seemingly simple “services” are far more complex and in most cases are overlooked in the pursuit of increasing the tax base over mitigation of real issues caused by the increase of the tax base.
This Substack is criminal and a product of identity theft. I have never subscribed to this nonsense and the owner has stolen my data from wherever and now harasses me with her green liberal AI nonsense.
Sari Lindross-Valimaki proves rock solid that she is a master in the core competencies of the Democrats — theft and voter fraud.
I have filed a complaint with the MCSO to shut down this publication, which is sending out newsletters to stolen E-Mail addresses because it is impossible that 50,000 Manatee citizens signed up to this nonsense.
I have also informed Substack about the misuse of the platform.
This makes a lot of sense. Have studies been done to ensure this fee would be sufficient to cover the costs? Is it estimated that this fee would go up every year? Or would it be sufficient without having to raise it every year? Would love to hear more about this and how we might get others on board even if we are not in your district.
It's use based fee, just like water utilities but for storm utilities. It's actually shame we are not collecting it, as offer for avaliable matching funds are not utilized.
I am the At-large Candidate, so if you vote in Manatee County, you will have an opportunity to choose whether to vote for me or my opponent.
I think there is easily a way to address this without adding fees. But at this point, if they truly can't find the money, I'd rather pay to reduce the risk of flooding. Right now I'm terrified to make any storm related claims on my insurance because the increase to the plan will outweigh the initial benefit of using it. Our area is not sustainable to remain flood free and insured.
I feel sincerely for about TS Debby. I am hoping for a speedy resolution for you.
Since there is no dedicated funding for storm utilities, there has never been money allocated for recent studies. Decisions are made based on outdated information not taking into account all of our new development.
Imagine like driving without an updated GPS system. Leadership is not spending responsibly, not tapping into all available funding.
This all comes back to a ridiculous density issue. Living in an HOA is not home ownership in America, secondly the density only benefits developers. This is just as bad as pollution and if a plane should crash or a tornado should occur the devastation will be tremendous and none of our hospitals combined are prepared nor is our public safety for a catastrophic event. We can reduce casualties and a lot of these flooding issues simply by reducing the density. No more than a half acre per unit.
What we need is a moratorium on residential development, until our infrastructure issues are addressed and we have a long-term plan and our *public safety Is caught up and over budgeted. This is responsible leadership in a growing county.
Forgive me if I seem a little ignorant, but don't we already pay for the county to maintain our stormwater drains? It would seem that our ad-valorem taxes have been covering those expenses for the past...well, more than 50 years? What about increasing the impact fees so the developer has to pay that? And if the impact fee isn't earmarked for such a thing, rewrite the ordinance so it is.
Manatee County thought it was a great idea to remove all impact fees from the developers after the 2008 financial crisis to fire up the housing market when in fact, it was the developers who had all the money.
I don't think we need to start adding fees here and there on a financially burdened society until this government can begin to take control and become accountable for what we already give them.
Very valid concerns and appreciate your feedback. Stormwater is rainwater that flows from gutters, driveways, and storm drains into rivers, lakes, or oceans.
Effective management requires building, maintaining, and planning for these systems. The mishandling during TS Debby, which caused $56 million in damages, shows the current approach isn't working. A dedicated stormwater utility funded by use-based fees could have prevented such costly outcomes.
Currently, stormwater management in Manatee County is piecemealed from various sources, often diverted elsewhere. Creating a dedicated stormwater utility would ensure funds are used solely for stormwater management, providing better protection against flooding and environmental harm. A new assessment is also needed to plan for future needs.
Impact fees are meant to pay for new infrastructure, but not collecting them fully or failing to increase them to 100% of the needed amount was one of the worst decisions made. This has left us underfunded for necessary projects.
Nothing "ensures" that dedicated funds would remain in one departments budget. There are often times when funds are moved from one budget to another if deficits (for whatever reason) occur. It's not common but it does happen.
We have a stormwater system in this county. There are catch basins connected to a system of pipes that move water from point a to b. Is it pristine and without fault? No, far from it. So I agree that infrastructure in this county (and the country as a whole) needs to be updated. However, the part that gives me heartburn is how the developers got away for nearly a decade without contributing to the cause. The same developers that are altering the character of this community in exchange for the mighty dollar.
It comes down to a question of financial fairness. Is it right for the existing community to be assessed for infrastructure rebuild when the ones (Developers) who caused much of the issue (by exchanging permeable for impermeable surfaces) never put a dime into the coffers for such projects?
I am a longtime resident here. Born in 1955 in Manatee Memorial Hospital and gave so much to the community in terms of public safety. During summer months from school, I actually surveyed the county with my uncle and grrandfather for the installation of water and sewer. They both worked for the engineering company Russell and Axon who were an integral part of that project. I am a very transparent individual who does not care very much for politics unless I start seeing nefarious and malicious activity coming from within...which is now. Greed is a horrible component of government and should never be allowed inside. It's like the camel that is allowed to first just stick its nose under the tent. If not corrected, before long the entire camel is inside the tent and that's not good. The camel will slowly create an environment saturated with improprieties. The camel has to remain outside of the tent if any government wishes to work efficiently, effectively and on a bipartisan level.
I think you need to look around at what the other cities and counties in FL have done. A mitigation fee is not the answer.
Not a mitigation fee, this is a usage fee like water utilities are.
Right. Consider storm water services are not consumed in the same way as water or sewage services so usage is not manageable in the same manner. The city of palmetto has done this and it really hasn’t made much difference. These seemingly simple “services” are far more complex and in most cases are overlooked in the pursuit of increasing the tax base over mitigation of real issues caused by the increase of the tax base.
This Substack is criminal and a product of identity theft. I have never subscribed to this nonsense and the owner has stolen my data from wherever and now harasses me with her green liberal AI nonsense.
Sari Lindross-Valimaki proves rock solid that she is a master in the core competencies of the Democrats — theft and voter fraud.
I have filed a complaint with the MCSO to shut down this publication, which is sending out newsletters to stolen E-Mail addresses because it is impossible that 50,000 Manatee citizens signed up to this nonsense.
I have also informed Substack about the misuse of the platform.
This makes a lot of sense. Have studies been done to ensure this fee would be sufficient to cover the costs? Is it estimated that this fee would go up every year? Or would it be sufficient without having to raise it every year? Would love to hear more about this and how we might get others on board even if we are not in your district.
It's use based fee, just like water utilities but for storm utilities. It's actually shame we are not collecting it, as offer for avaliable matching funds are not utilized.
I am the At-large Candidate, so if you vote in Manatee County, you will have an opportunity to choose whether to vote for me or my opponent.
No more government. Do not grow government. Manatee County Government is already bloated.
I think there is easily a way to address this without adding fees. But at this point, if they truly can't find the money, I'd rather pay to reduce the risk of flooding. Right now I'm terrified to make any storm related claims on my insurance because the increase to the plan will outweigh the initial benefit of using it. Our area is not sustainable to remain flood free and insured.
I feel sincerely for about TS Debby. I am hoping for a speedy resolution for you.
Since there is no dedicated funding for storm utilities, there has never been money allocated for recent studies. Decisions are made based on outdated information not taking into account all of our new development.
Imagine like driving without an updated GPS system. Leadership is not spending responsibly, not tapping into all available funding.