St. Petersburg City Council to Review Proposed Changes to Utility Rates and Fees

St. Petersburg City Council to Review Proposed Changes to Utility Rates and Fees

July 31, 2026 - The City of St. Petersburg is conducting the annual evaluation of utility rates and fees for the upcoming fiscal year. Each year, St. Petersburg City Council considers adjustments to water, wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater, and sanitation utility rates and fees that support the operating and capital expenses of each utility program.

For this year's evaluation, City Council will conduct a first reading for utility rates and fees on Thursday, Aug. 13. At the first reading, the date for a public hearing will be set for Thursday, Aug. 27, and City Council will be requested to provide final approval on utility rates and fees. Upon City Council adoption, utility billing rates and fees will be reflected in the City of St. Petersburg utility customers' bills beginning on Thursday, Oct. 1.

First reading

Thursday, Aug. 13, at 3 p.m.
City Hall, 175 5th St. N
Council Chambers

Public hearing

Thursday, Aug. 27, at 5:01 p.m.
City Hall, 175 5th St. N
Council Chambers

Residents will have the opportunity to watch a full presentation on the recommended utility rates at the public hearing and provide public comment. Information about the proposed rate adjustments is available at https://www.stpete.org/Rates. If approved, any utility rate changes will take effect on Oct. 1, 2026, and will be noted in utility bills.

Utility fees support the continued efforts to ensure the reliability and resilience of St. Pete's water resources, sanitation, and stormwater utilities. These fees fund essential operations, routine maintenance, and critical capital infrastructure improvements across the city's utility systems.

Much of St. Pete's infrastructure has reached or exceeded its original design lifespan, making sustained investment crucial. Updated utility rates help fund multi-year projects aimed at modernizing outdated systems, preventing service disruptions, and reducing the risk of costly emergency repairs.

Affordability & Assistance

Payment Plans

Extended payment arrangements are available for customers who are having trouble paying their utility bill. Customers are encouraged to contact the St. Pete Utility Customer Service Call Center at 727-893-7341 or [email protected] to make payment arrangements as soon as possible to avoid any associated fees and termination of service.

More Assistance

For a directory of additional assistance, visit https://www.211tampabay.org or call 211.

Water Conservation Support

Conserving water use is a great way to save money on your utility bill. The City offers water-saving rebate programs, workshops, and more at https://www.stpete.org/WaterConservation.

Updates and more information about the utility rate changes and available resources can be found at https://www.stpete.org/Rates.