TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Water Interconnect Between the City of North Port, Florida, and Englewood Water District.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Water Interconnect between the City of North Port, Florida, and Englewood Water District.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Water Interconnect between the City of North Port, Florida, and Englewood Water District.
• Pros:
o Having an interconnect to provide redundant water supply moves North Port Utilities toward engaging in best practices.
o Annual meter testing as well as periodic maintenance and repair costs as needed can be performed by internal staff and are projected to be minimal.
• Cons: Staff have not identified any disadvantages of entering into the Interlocal Agreement.
Option 2: Deny the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Water Interconnect between the City of North Port, Florida, and Englewood Water District.
• Pros: Staff have not identified any advantages of denying the Interlocal Agreement.
• Cons:
o In the event of an emergency, our utility may not have access to an alternate source of water.
o The City would not be engaging in established best practices.
o The City would not be following the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969, Section 163.01 encouraging and empowering local governments to cooperate with one another on matters of mutual interest and advantage and provides for interlocal agreements between local governments on matters such as the provision of potable water and wastewater service.
Background Information
The Englewood Water District (EWD) has approached the City of North Port to enter into a reciprocal Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Water Interconnect for potential emergency water situations or events. An emergency water interconnect with a neighboring water authority provides the City with access to a backup water supply during outages, maintenance, or emergencies, ensuring service continuity and public health protection. It also strengthens regional resiliency and collaboration between utilities during extreme events or system failures. The City has similar interconnects in place with Sarasota County, Charlotte County and Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority.
The EWD will be responsible for all costs related to the design, construction and permitting of the interconnect, including the cost of the meter installed on the City’s side. Once the interconnect has been completed and put into service, all infrastructure located within the City limits will be dedicated to the City for future operation and maintenance. The City will be responsible for ensuring the meter on the City’s side remains in compliance with operational standards outlined by the American Waterworks Association and will be required to test the meter no less than annually at the City’s expense. The EWD has the same operational compliance standards for their meter, but at their expense.
The Interlocal Agreement further outlines the requirements for each party when requesting emergency water supply and limits the amount of water that can be delivered. The billing rates have been set for each party and are as follows:
Ø If the City takes water from EWD, the City will pay EWD’s governmental bulk rate that is in effect at the time of usage.
Ø If EWD takes water from the City, EWD will pay the City’s current outside City limits bulk rate that is in effect at the time of usage.
The Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Water Interconnect between the City of North Port, Florida, and Englewood Water District has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Water Interconnect between the City of North Port, Florida, and Englewood Water District was provided to the City Clerk’s Office on November 17, 2025, for signatures, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Facilities & Infrastructure Integrity
Financial Impact
The City will have no financial impact for the installation of the infrastructure or easements required. The usage charges will only apply if emergency water supply is needed, and costs associated with the potential use will be dependent on the emergency situation.
Procurement
Annual meter testing will be performed by internal staff, and no external procurement will be required.
Attachments:
1. Interlocal Agreement
Prepared by: Michelle Tipp, Senior Business Manager
Department Director: Tricia Wisner, Utilities Director