Tampa City Council has voted unanimously to more than double the annual stormwater fee paid by the average resident.
The $36 to $82 increase comes after a summer of record flooding that overwhelmed the city’s aging drainage system.
Officials say the extra money will allow more regular maintenance of the system, including clearing debris out of street gutters, drains, pipes, and outfalls into Tampa Bay.
In October, council will debate another hike to actually replace parts of the city drainage system.
Tampa’s stormwater drainage fee hasn’t gone up in a decade.
