ST. CLOUD, Fla. — 9 Investigates found that money from St. Cloud's water bills doesn't always land in dedicated accounts, but in the city's general fund.
The Florida Supreme Court said it's OK for cities like St. Cloud to earn a profit off people's water bills.
Water rates in the city are higher than many other places in central Florida, but higher taxes and higher fire fees have left residents sick of being nickeled and dimed.
"I'm outside in the county, and the fees that I'm being charged are only benefiting, to me and my eyes, city residents. And I don't think that's right," water customer Linette Chambers said.
9 investigates added up $3.2 million from the water utility fund and $3.7 million from the sewer transferred to the city's general fund in the last five years.
The city called the transfer, that doesn't need to be tied to a corresponding cost of service, a return on investments.
"We just are covering the cost of the city to provide the assets, maintain them and manage the assets," St. Cloud City Manager Joseph Helfenberger said.
Helfenberger said the money helps pay things like the salary of people who help run the water department.
A new debt rating report from Moody's Investor Services said the general fund relies heavily on those transfers and nearly one-third of city revenue comes from utility customers.
"We can always improve and do better, but with a good dialogue with our customers and the public, I think we'll get where we need to be," Helfenberger said.
The Florida League of Cities said St. Cloud is operating within its recommended guidelines.
The Government Accounting Standards Board said the point of utility enterprise funds is financial transparency.
9 Investigates: St. Cloud water utility money landing in general fund
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