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Mayor’s Message continued

have completed almost half of the 51 milestones that were Still, this commission needs to commit itself to go even further.
set and intend to complete all the projects well ahead of I am proposing that we must immediately make use of the
the 2026 deadline. Four miles of new sewer mains now sewer line risk analysis to broaden our construction program.
serve downtown and Northwest neighborhoods. Work on To fund these initiatives, we will look to our management
the main serving Las Olas is underway. Several key pump team to recommend fair and balanced measures to raise
stations have been replaced or rehabilitated as well.
needed funds. Residents should not shoulder the entire
The city also has been working hard to prevent the infiltration burden. The City Commission raised the water and sewer
of groundwater and stormwater into the sewer system. Heavy impact fees assessed on new development in September.
rains can cause sewer overflows and reduce the capacity in The new rate structure went into effect at the end of
the system. Today, more than 36 miles of sewer have been December. This was the first update on the impact fees
lined to prevent inflow. The remainder of this work in since 2005. The sewer impact fee more than tripled.
designated priority basins will be completed this year. Water impact fees increased more than 40 percent.
We expect an assessment of the entire sewer force main One of my colleagues recently referred to us as the can-do
system to be completed by March. We will no longer be commission. Nothing speaks more to our results-driven
blind to where our problems are or the degree of their approach than these initiatives.
severity. Another $177 million is scheduled to be invested There will be challenges – whether the result of an
in 118 miles of sewer pipe. And, $20 million in funding is
accident, climate change or the failure of a remaining
committed to repair or rehabilitate 29 pump stations. older part in the system. But I promise this: At the end of
Moreover, we are making critical upgrades at the George
the day, Fort Lauderdale will have the utility infrastructure
T. Lohmeyer Wastewater Treatment Plant.
that a modern metropolitan area expects and deserves. n
I think we can say that despite the setbacks of late, Fort Sincerely,
Lauderdale is headed in the right direction in fixing our
sewer system – rapidly and without delay. Dean Trantalis
Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale

16 The Landings & Bay Colony