EUSTIS, Fla. – Leaders in Eustis are working on a plan to help the city recover from last year’s historic storm that caused flooding and infrastructure damage in some areas.
On Thursday, commissioners are voting to borrow money from the general fund and raise stormwater rates.
In October 2025, a storm brought record rainfall — up to 19 inches in some areas — which flooded portions of Central Florida, especially in Lake and Brevard counties.
In Eustis, the city was forced to pay a contractor nearly $175,000 for extensive repairs to a culvert near Pine Avenue.
With inadequate funds from Eustis’ stormwater fund, the city manager has requested to borrow the money from the general fund.
The request called for the loan to be issued with an interest rate of 2.875% on a 10-year term.
Another request is for a stormwater rate increase of 30% to ensure revenue is available for continued operation of the system.
The increase would amount to around $4 per month for a single-family household.
The request also comes after repairs were made in the Spring Ridge Estates subdivision, where 20 families were forced from their homes after a culvert partially collapsed.
Michael O’Reilly lives in the neighborhood and said he doesn’t want to pay the extra money, but is also understanding of an unprecedented situation.
“Even a four-dollar increase hurts, is impactful,” O’Reilly said. “We certainly need to chip in a little bit. I’m ready to do that as long as it’s kept in check, where we’re not overtaxed in this whole situation.”
Commissioners will vote on the measures during a meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m.