Resolution 529-1991
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RESOLUTION NO. 529
-1991
A RESOLUTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS STATING THE COUNTY'S CONCERN
THAT THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT
DISTRICT'S (SFWMD) SYSTEM OF WATER ALLOCATION
PLACES AN INEQUITABLE BURDEN ON MONROE COUNTY
CITIZENS.
WHEREAS, the water utility serving Monroe County, the Florida
Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA), has a base water rate that is
over 3-1/2 times greater than the rate of the second highest
utility in a survey of eight South Florida utilities; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's water consumption is the lowest
overall of any Southeast Florida County, and this Commission has
set the best Level of Service (LOS) standards of any of these
above counties; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Monroe County's residential LOS is 149
gallons per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) per day compared to
Broward's County's 375 gallons per ERU per day; and
WHEREAS, in comparing the Monroe, Dade and Palm Beach County
consumption figures using permanent population as a base, Monroe
County consumes approximately 170 gallons per capita per day
(gcd), compared to Dade County's 200 gcd and Palm Beach County's
195 gcd; and
WHEREAS, when Monroe County's high seasonal population is
taken into account, Monroe County's per capita water consumption
is even lower, and the overall LOS is 100 gcd, ; and
WHEREAS, FKAA has utilized a leak detection device since 1983,
and that device has led to reduced leakage, and therefore has
resulted in a substantial decrease in the amount of unaccounted
for water, which has declined from thirty-three percent (33%) in
1983 to five percent (5%) in the third quarter of 1991; and
WHEREAS, the FKAA encourages water conservation by maintaining
a "conservation rate structure;" such conservation is achieved by
charging consumers a base rate plus $0.10 per 1000 gallons, and
by charging a surcharge of $0.50 per 1000 gallons for any
consumers who use more than 12,000 gallons per month; and
WHEREAS, the FKAA connection rates are the highest among the
eight South Florida utilities surveyed, which also promotes the
efficient use of existing facilities; and
WHEREAS, the FKAA and Monroe County continue to comply with
all "Phase 1" and "Phase 1 (Modified)" water restrictions which
have been imposed by the SFWMD in recent years; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County has also required the installation of
low volume plumbing fixtures (faucets and showerheads: 3 gallons
per minute at 60 pounds per square inch maximum flow, and toilets
3.5 gallons maximum flush) in all development since 1986; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County has also required the use of native
plant species, most of which are drought-tolerant, for all
landscaping of off-street parking areas, street trees, scenic
corridors and bufferyards since 1986; and
WHEREAS, several of the largest developments in Monroe County
are equipped to use wastewater treatment plant effluent instead
of potable water for irrigation, including Sombrero Country Club,
Key West Resort Golf Course, caloosa Cove, Key Largo Holiday Inn,
and Breezy Palms; and
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
passed a Preliminary Policy Direction on February 4, 1991 which
commits the County to meeting all of the SFWMD's new (July 1990)
Water Conservation Guidelines that are within the County's
jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's Stipulated Settlement Agreement with
the Florida Department of Community Affairs reaffirms the
County's commitment to the SFWMD Guidelines by requiring their
inclusion in the Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan, which is to be
adopted by October 26, 1992; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners feels it need be
more vocal in presenting the county's position, now that the
SFWMD Governing Board no longer includes a member from Monroe
County; so NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA THAT:
Monroe County is a leader amongst Florida Counties and
Municipalities in local water conservation efforts, as evidenced
by the County's adopted land development regulations, FKAA's
policies, and our agreements to adopt the new SFWMD Water
Conservation Guidelines as specified above.
Therefore, it is the feeling of this Commission that Monroe
County's citizens, through their water utility FKAA, should not
be forced to either accept further reductions in water
allocations from current sources or to have to find new
alternative sources, until other local governments under SFWMD's
jurisdiction match our citizens' already low potable water
consumption levels.
This Board also feels that Monroe County should be more
equitably treated when the County's Comprehensive Plan is
reviewed by the SFWMD, and that the SFWMD should acknowledge and
consider Monroe County's past and current water conservation
accomplishments.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 11th day of December , A.D. 1991.
Mayor Harvey Yes
Mayor Pro Tem London Yes
Commissioner Cheal Yes
Commissioner Jones Yes
Commissioner Stormont Yes
The Monroe County Clerk of the Court is hereby directed to send
three sealed copies of this Resolution to the Monroe County
Planning Department.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
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MAYOR/CHAIRMAN
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(Seal)
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CLERK