Builders can expect higher JEA rates this year for the one-time fees they pay as their share of the cost for expanding water and sewage plants so JEA can keep up with growth.
WJCT News partner The Florida Times-Union reported Tuesday at the JEA board conducted a rate hearing Tuesday and heard a request from the Northeast Florida Builders Association for softening the proposed increases so it won't have such a big impact on the cost of building houses at the lower end of home sale prices.
Northeast Florida Builders Association representative Curtis Hart told the board the proposed increase would have a "damaging effect" on home affordability by putting ownership beyond the reach of thousands of would-be buyers.
JEA is considering phased-in increases that would start Oct. 1 and eventually take the total rate for water and sewer capacity fees in steps from $1,954 now to $7,103 by April 2023 for typical residential service to a new home.
Read the rest of this story at Jacksonville.com.
