The move would eliminate a seat shared by Pinellas and Hillsborough.
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Published February 19, 2004
TALLAHASSEE - Polk County wants a bigger voice on water issues, but a legislative solution would come at the expense of Pinellas and Hillsborough.
A bill (SB 1180) filed by Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, is aimed at giving Polk a second seat on the 11-member governing board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District by eliminating a seat shared by Pinellas and Hillsborough.
"Polk has the resources within its boundaries, and we just feel like we need greater representation than one out of 11 when the Pinellas-Hillsborough area has five out of the 11," Dockery said Wednesday during a Senate committee meeting.
The move comes less than a year after the regional water agency threatened Polk's water utility with more than a half-million dollars in penalties for eight years of overpumping. Polk agreed to reduce pumping to avoid paying the hefty fines.
The governing board of Swiftmud, as the agency is commonly known, has one member from Polk, one from Pasco, two from Pinellas and two from Hillsborough. Pinellas and Hillsborough share a fifth seat, which Polk wants. Four seats represent 12 other counties, including Hernando and Citrus. All the members are appointed by the governor.
Because Swiftmud collects property taxes, membership is based largely on population.
Polk leaders say they want to protect the county's water resources, which include the headwaters of the Alafia River, and that their move to change Swiftmud has nothing to do with overpumping problems.
Much of the Green Swamp, which feeds the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Ocklawaha and Peace rivers, is in Polk. It also runs through parts of Pasco, Hernando, Sumter and Lake counties.
"We're giving the coastal communities water, and water management is projecting we're going to have major deficits in the future," said Polk environmental affairs director Jeff Spence.
But Pinellas and Hillsborough account for far more people and taxes collected by Swiftmud.
Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said the bill would give Polk more representation than Pasco, which was damaged by overpumping.
"I know Polk is hurting, but I suggest if you haven't visited Central or East Pasco lately, come and take a look," Fasano said.
Replied Dockery: "We don't want to find ourselves in the same position you are in."
The committee approved the bill 6-3. A companion bill is sponsored by Rep. Baxter Troutman, R-Winter Haven. Sens. Les Miller, D-Tampa, Anna Cowin, R-Leesburg, and Fasano voted against the bill.
