Apalachicola district will take over city water and sewer service

The district may run water and sewer systems, provide service, set and collect rates, and issue water revenue certificates. The district covers the City of Apalachicola and existing customers already served by the city's water and sewer service. The district may serve outside its boundaries only under the agreements described in the charter. It may not collect property taxes, and rates must provide enough money for system costs and bond payments.

The city and district must make an agreement to transfer water and sewer service. If they miss the deadline, the district alone decides how to carry out the transfer, and its decisions bind both sides. The requirements apply to the City of Apalachicola and the Apalachicola Water and Sewer District. The agreement must address city assets, permits and regulatory requirements, assets and liabilities, and district employees' retirement membership. It may include other terms the parties agree on. The agreement is due by the later of July 1, 2026, or 30 days after the Governor makes the first board appointments.

The city may not take on additional water and sewer utility debts or obligations, except for ordinary business expenses, and must avoid wasting utility assets. The restriction applies to the City of Apalachicola and its water and sewer utility. The limit applies to additional obligations or indebtedness related to operating the city's water and sewer utility. Ordinary business expenses are excepted. The restriction starts when the act becomes law; the text does not give it an end date.

The district receives the city's water and sewer property, assets, contracts, obligations, and liabilities, and city employees who provide those services become district employees. This covers city property, contracts, obligations, and liabilities for water and sewer service, and city employees who provide that service. Employee transfers follow the interlocal agreement or other transfer decisions made under the act. The district must ensure employees continue their Florida Retirement System membership. The property, assets, contracts, obligations, and liabilities transfer on December 1, 2026. Employee transfers follow the agreement or other transfer decisions.