This paper discusses the variety of
funding mechanisms that the Hillsborough County Water Department has
available to implement reclaimed water and conservation projects, including:
Operations and Maintenance Budget;
Community Investment Tax;
Utility Water Conservation Trust Fund;
Hillsborough County Water Conservation Trust Fund;
Southwest Florida Water Management District Cooperative Funding; and,
Reclaimed Water Improvement Units.
Hillsborough County's variety of funding mechanisms provides unique
opportunities to further water conservation.
The Water Department's budget supports personnel, vehicles and equipment,
while the utility water conservation fund, accruing from the top tier in the water
rate structure, is available for specific projects that benefit the customers of the
utility.
The Hillsborough County Water Conservation Fund, derived from collected
penalties for water use violations, is a source of funds to provide water
conservation programming for residents of the County, regardless of the nature
of their water source. This is particularly effective when funding a program through
the Cooperative Extension Service, as the need for personnel to implement and
manage projects is provided for by the Extension Service staff, including part-time help from Master Gardeners.
The Community Investment Tax, while it was being tapped for the Water
Department, the Cooperative Funding Program of the Southwest Florida Water
Management District, and the Reclaimed Water Improvement Unit program all
provide much needed funding assistance to make water conservation and
reclaimed water projects feasible.
Includes table.