Coronavirus Florida: Jupiter is waiving water utility fees for 1,330 businesses

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JUPITER — Town council members voted on their first coronavirus relief package Tuesday, offering up thousands of dollars to water utility customers.

During the next two monthly payment cycles, Jupiter officials will eliminate a chunk of the bill for local businesses that have taken a financial hit during the pandemic. They estimate it will cost the utility about $780,000.

About 1,330 businesses should benefit, said David Brown, Jupiter’s utilities director. The town is generally including all commercial accounts, except for big box stores that remained open, schools, government facilities, homeowners association spaces, irrigation meters and utility sites.

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Town estimates indicate a wide range of savings for businesses: from under $150 to more than $14,000. The waived fees come from base charges, expenses based on use and fire line costs.

“We see the strategy of supporting our local customer base as being very instrumental in keeping the long-term health of the utility strong,“ Brown said.

Mayor Todd Wodraska pointed out that even if businesses were closed in the past couple months, they were still on the hook for some water expenses.

So it’s logical to funnel money back their way, he said. Council members voted 5-0 in favor of the proposal.

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“It’s a little bit after the fact but it certainly seems appropriate,” Wodraska said.

Jon Sullivan, who co-owns Guanabanas restaurant on A1A and Modern Juice Company on Indiantown Road, is appreciative although he’s not yet sure how much his two establishments will save.

Sullivan has kept Modern Juice Company open through the pandemic. Guanabanas, part of a separate ownership group, reopened under social distancing measures and a limited menu on Friday to what he characterized as a great response from customers.

“Every little bit helps right now,” Sullivan said of the town’s action. “That’s really where it is. Is it significant? Probably not huge but if that’s what they’ve got to put in the ring, that helps.”

Civil Society Brewing co-owner Karl Volstad wasn’t sure of Civil Society’s typical water bill, but said Jupiter’s water is already pretty cheap.

“It’s good,“ Volstad said. ”Any help obviously is great.“

Volstad plans to reopen the inside of Civil Society’s West Palm Beach location Thursday and hopes the Abacoa location will be open for the weekend. They’ve offered pickup and to-go orders plus deliveries in the meantime.

Councilman Cameron May wants town staff to explore more ways to help out local businesses, saying that a couple hundred bucks in water bill savings may not be enough aid for some establishments.

Expect the vote Tuesday to be “Phase 1” of Jupiter’s business relief efforts, Wodraska said.

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In particular, Wodraska said he’s asked staff to look at temporarily relaxing elements of Jupiter’s code, such as table or parking restrictions.

The town has already done that to an extent, easing up on enforcement of its sign regulations as businesses line streets with posters promoting their services. Jupiter has also teamed up with Feeding South Florida to distribute food in the area.

“I think most importantly, they just want to know that we’re out there trying to help,” Wodraska said.

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@SamuelHHoward

For more information:

– Florida Department of Health coronavirus web page

– CDC coronavirus web page

– Florida DOH coronavirus hotline (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday) is 866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov