On Tuesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board adopted a $211.7 million budget for fiscal year (FY) 2023, including approximately $90.6 million for the Cooperative Funding Initiative and District grants for water resources projects.
The budget reflects the District’s commitment to protect Florida’s water resources and to improve Florida’s economic vitality.
Some of the key initiatives in the District’s FY2023 budget include:
-
$41.5 million for development of alternative water supplies to ensure an adequate supply of water resources for all existing and future reasonable and beneficial uses.
-
$18.7 million for springs initiatives to improve springs and spring-fed rivers and to improve water quality and clarity as well as restore natural habitats.
-
$18.3 million for Watershed Management Program plans to support floodplain management decisions and initiatives, and address potential and existing flooding problems.
Through cooperative funding partnerships, District funds are typically matched up to 50% and will result in a total regional investment of more than $165 million for sustainable alternative water supply development, water quality improvements and other water resource management projects.
For the 11th year in a row, the District’s Governing Board has adopted a millage rate equal to or less than the rolled-back millage rate, for a cumulative rate reduction of 42.5%. The adopted FY2023 millage rate is 0.2260 mill, 10.8% lower than the current fiscal year which will help lessen the tax burden for Florida residents by saving taxpayers approximately $15.5 million in property taxes.
For the owner of a $150,000 home with a $50,000 homestead exemption, the District tax would be $22.60 a year, or about $1.88 per month. The fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023.