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Commissioner’s Message

From the Desk of Commissioner Heather Moraitis
n March 4, I held a community meeting in District 1 to listen to concerns
about inconsistent water bills and high water bills. We are currently
Oworking with 63 neighbors to address individual water bill concerns.
Citywide, we will implement the following action plan:

• We will audit water meter reading citywide. This will be conducted by a
nationally known and independent auditing firm. The commission will vote on the
independent water meter reading audit to be performed by KPMG on Tuesday,
March 19. If the commission approves this audit, the work will begin promptly.
• We will test and replace meters upon request by residents.
• We will meet with the water meter reader contractor (Bermex) to address concerns.

• We will expedite permits for an irrigation water meter.
• We will move to digital water meters starting as soon as this year.

We have commissioned a water rate study and the commission will discuss water
Heather Moraitis
District I Commissioner rates in April. You are invited to attend this meeting to share your concerns. The
date for this commission meeting will be shared when the date is published. I will
explore all options with the commission to reduce your water bill. Please know that
the water and sewer infrastructure bond to replace aging infrastructure is contingent
upon certain pledged revenues. The debt service for this bond is paid for from the
water and sewer utility.
The Commission has committed to a 4-year plan to stop the Return on Investment
(ROI) from the water and sewer fund transferred into the general fund. This is the
second year we have reduced the ROI to the general fund. By 2021, all the ROI
previously taken will stay in the water and sewer fund to help offset the costs for the
water and sewer infrastructure projects.
Please visit the webpage created to keep you updated and informed at
www.fortlauderdale.gov/district1water. I have included all of the handouts that were
shared at our initial meeting. A link to the commission conference meeting discussing
your concerns is also on this webpage.

This action plan will be expanded until we solve the problems you are facing. Please
email any additional questions you may have and we will get back to you promptly. n

Sincerely,

Heather Moraitis
District I Commissioner

GUIDE TO UTILITY BILLING IN

THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE
www.fortlauderdale.gov/district1water

16 The Landings & Bay Colony