Alex Hansen, the city's comprehensive planner, told the West Palm Beach Planning Board on Nov. 18 that staff is recommending amendments to the utilities element and the capital improvement element of the comprehensive plan to update the city's 20-year water supply plan and the capital improvement program. "This is a city-initiated request for proposed amendments," Hansen said, noting the changes are required by chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes.

Hansen said staff proposes revising the water level of service and updating population estimates and projections; he told the board the service-area population is forecast to rise about 16 percent over the next 20 years. The revisions also add alternative water supplies, including the Floridan aquifer, and update aquifer storage and recovery system permits. The CIP update will include a new table listing projects planned for five, 10, 15 and 20 years.

Board members asked whether lowering the water level of service would undercut growth in the western areas of the city and how transportation capacity factored into the planning horizon. "This is not something that is subject of this change," Hansen said, adding that level-of-service standards for roadways and other infrastructure remain separate topics and that the city has a mobility plan forthcoming to address transportation needs.

Daryl Graziani, assistant utility director, described how the water management district sets allocations and how conservation measures and recent data have driven per-capita use down. "Right now, we're averaging about 225 gallons per day per person," Graziani said, and noted the district established the city's allocation during recent permitting work. He described conservation efforts including toilet voucher programs, rain barrels and a tiered rate structure that charges more to higher users.

Staff recommended approval and outlined next steps: the board's recommendation will go to the City Commission for a first reading in January and a second reading or adoption hearing in early March, to meet state deadlines tied to the district's planning cycle. A board member moved and the board voted unanimously to recommend approval based on the staff report and findings that the amendments comply with chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes and other applicable requirements.

The City Commission will receive the proposed amendments in January for the required review process and referral to state review agencies, principally the South Florida Water Management District.