Charlotte County Ackerman sewer expansion costs climb, homeowners face decades of fees

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WINK) — The Ackerman Municipal Services Benefit Unit continues to be a hot-button issue for many in Charlotte County.

Retired veteran Jeffrey Sherwin and his wife, Teresa Sherwin, are worried about the cost. The main concern for the couple is the septic conversion project happening in their part of Port Charlotte, where they say a major part of the cost is being put on homeowners.

"Property insurance is going through the roof. Flood insurance is going through the roof. Car insurance is high, and this is like the straw that broke the camel's back for a number of people," Jeffrey Sherwin said. "I've known some people who are already selling their homes because they couldn't afford them."

Sherwin has paid $575 a year for the last five years for his home on Klinger Circle in Port Charlotte. When he wrote the county and asked when they would get hooked up, they said hopefully by the end of 2027, but he would have to keep paying that amount of money for 20 years.

There has also been talk in the community that residents will have to pay longer. Sherwin expressed concern about the extended timeline, noting the financial burden it places on older residents.

The county said,

"Factors outside the County’s control delayed progress of the Ackerman Septic to Sewer program. Since the project was approved in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation have impacted its timeline. Despite schedule delays, construction continues in the area to deliver new sewer and water services. We remain committed to completing this project and will update the website with a revised timeline when information is available. No resident has been quoted a 40-year assessment. The Ackerman Septic to Sewer project is what’s called a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) program. MSBUs are common throughout the state of Florida and allow property owners within a defined geographic area to fund local improvements that directly benefit the properties receiving the service.”

Stu Gooden, with Charlotte County Utilities, said the county has received $8.2 million in grants to help with costs. But that is little solace to people who still have to pay for decades.

In October of last year, the Ackerman project's total budget was about $51.6 million. Fast forward to May of this year, and the county said it is $70.6 million, almost $20 million more.

Homeowners just want more certainty about what they will owe and when the work will finally be complete.

For updates on the project timeline and budget, you can visit the county's website for the project.