Public Works
William L. (Leonard) Tartt, Public Works Director
(850) 962-4611 office
(850) 273-1999 cell
leonard.tartt@sopchoppy.org
Leonard Tartt began his employment with the City of Sopchoppy in 2003, serving as Water Supervisor and then as Public Works Director. Prior to his employment, Mr. Tartt, served several terms on the Sopchoppy City Council and as Mayor. He is a lifelong resident of Wakulla County with a heart for serving his community especially in organizations that support the youth of the county. He is a state certified “C” drinking water license operator.
(850) 273-1999 cell
leonard.tartt@sopchoppy.org
Leonard Tartt began his employment with the City of Sopchoppy in 2003, serving as Water Supervisor and then as Public Works Director. Prior to his employment, Mr. Tartt, served several terms on the Sopchoppy City Council and as Mayor. He is a lifelong resident of Wakulla County with a heart for serving his community especially in organizations that support the youth of the county. He is a state certified “C” drinking water license operator.
Water Department
OPERATIONS -
The City of Sopchoppy provides an average of over 21 million gallons of water to its customers each month. Where does all this water come from? The Floridan Aquifer. The aquifer lies deep below much of Florida and is replenished mainly by rainwater filtering through hundreds of feet of sand and rock. This “groundwater” comes from one of our 7 wells located throughout the City and County. Groundwater is typically of high quality, requiring only disinfection with chlorine prior to distribution to our customers. To ensure the consistent quality of our drinking water, the City of Sopchoppy routinely monitors our drinking water throughout the system. In addition, state-certified personnel are working 365 days a year to monitor and protect our drinking water and its integrity. For more specific information on water quality, view the Consumer Confidence Report.
DISTRIBUTION -
Water quality starts at the well and treatment plant, but it doesn’t end there. The City of Sopchoppy works to maintain the integrity of the drinking water after it leaves the treatment facility. This is done through continued maintenance and repair to pipes, valves, hydrants, and meters that are part of our extensive water distribution system.
BILLING POLICY -
The city provides water service to city and non-city residents. Currently, we also bill sewer for customers on our water system who are connected to the county's sewer system. The city's utility division is responsible for opening accounts, reading water meters, preparation of utility bills, receipt of utility payments, and customer inquiries. The city begins reading our meters the week of the 15th each month. The bills are calculated, printed, and mailed the last working day of each month. Payment is due upon receipt and is considered late if not paid by the 20th of the following month. The amount due is based on usage from the prior month (i.e., usage from 6/15 - 7/15 is billed on 7/31). If an account remains unpaid after the due date, a late charge of 10% on the unpaid water balance will be assessed. In addition, a $5.00 late fee will be added to any unpaid sewer balance. Accounts that remain past due are subject to disconnect the following month and will remain so until the account is paid in full including a $50.00 reconnect fee.
SERVICE ACTIVATION -
Water utility service can be activated by coming to City Hall in Sopchoppy. For service with an existing meter, you must provide the service address, mailing address, start date, valid photo i.d., and a copy of a purchase agreement or a lease agreement. If application is made and fee/deposit paid by 12:00 noon, service may be available the same day. If you arrive later than noon, service may not be available until the next regular business day. A non-refundable administrative fee of $50.00 is charged for the activation of all accounts. A Water Service Agreement and/or Sewer Service Agreement (if applicable) must be completed and are available at City Hall or you can print one out prior to arrival. If water is currently not available at the specified address and a meter needs to be installed, please call our office for pricing. Installation may take 2 to 4 weeks.
UTILITY DEPOSIT -
In addition to the $50.00 administrative fee, deposits are required for utility accounts. For a residential service address with water only and you are the owner of the property the deposit is $100.00, for a lessee the deposit is $150.00. If the residential service address has water and county sewer and you are the owner, the deposit is $150.00, for a lessee it is $200.00. For commercial property with water and county sewer, the county requires a $200.00 sewer deposit in addition to our water deposit. (In this case, an owner will pay a total of $350.00 or a lessee will pay $400.00.)
PAYMENT OPTIONS -
We offer several ways to pay your water and/or sewer bill. We accept payments through the mail, in person at City Hall, Centennial Bank (provided you have your water statement with you), direct debit from your checking account, or by credit card (there may be a $3.00 convenience fee with this option). If you are interested in direct debit, an Authorization Agreement for Direct Payments (ACH Debits) form must be completed and returned with a voided check to City Hall.
PLEASE NOTE: Accounts are not considered paid until our office has received the payment. Postmarks are not considered when assessing late charges.
CUSTOMER SERVICE INQUIRIES –
City Hall is open Monday thru Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Customer inquiries can also be handled by calling our office at (850) 962-4611 during regularly scheduled business hours.
OPERATIONS -
The City of Sopchoppy provides an average of over 21 million gallons of water to its customers each month. Where does all this water come from? The Floridan Aquifer. The aquifer lies deep below much of Florida and is replenished mainly by rainwater filtering through hundreds of feet of sand and rock. This “groundwater” comes from one of our 7 wells located throughout the City and County. Groundwater is typically of high quality, requiring only disinfection with chlorine prior to distribution to our customers. To ensure the consistent quality of our drinking water, the City of Sopchoppy routinely monitors our drinking water throughout the system. In addition, state-certified personnel are working 365 days a year to monitor and protect our drinking water and its integrity. For more specific information on water quality, view the Consumer Confidence Report.
DISTRIBUTION -
Water quality starts at the well and treatment plant, but it doesn’t end there. The City of Sopchoppy works to maintain the integrity of the drinking water after it leaves the treatment facility. This is done through continued maintenance and repair to pipes, valves, hydrants, and meters that are part of our extensive water distribution system.
BILLING POLICY -
The city provides water service to city and non-city residents. Currently, we also bill sewer for customers on our water system who are connected to the county's sewer system. The city's utility division is responsible for opening accounts, reading water meters, preparation of utility bills, receipt of utility payments, and customer inquiries. The city begins reading our meters the week of the 15th each month. The bills are calculated, printed, and mailed the last working day of each month. Payment is due upon receipt and is considered late if not paid by the 20th of the following month. The amount due is based on usage from the prior month (i.e., usage from 6/15 - 7/15 is billed on 7/31). If an account remains unpaid after the due date, a late charge of 10% on the unpaid water balance will be assessed. In addition, a $5.00 late fee will be added to any unpaid sewer balance. Accounts that remain past due are subject to disconnect the following month and will remain so until the account is paid in full including a $50.00 reconnect fee.
SERVICE ACTIVATION -
Water utility service can be activated by coming to City Hall in Sopchoppy. For service with an existing meter, you must provide the service address, mailing address, start date, valid photo i.d., and a copy of a purchase agreement or a lease agreement. If application is made and fee/deposit paid by 12:00 noon, service may be available the same day. If you arrive later than noon, service may not be available until the next regular business day. A non-refundable administrative fee of $50.00 is charged for the activation of all accounts. A Water Service Agreement and/or Sewer Service Agreement (if applicable) must be completed and are available at City Hall or you can print one out prior to arrival. If water is currently not available at the specified address and a meter needs to be installed, please call our office for pricing. Installation may take 2 to 4 weeks.
UTILITY DEPOSIT -
In addition to the $50.00 administrative fee, deposits are required for utility accounts. For a residential service address with water only and you are the owner of the property the deposit is $100.00, for a lessee the deposit is $150.00. If the residential service address has water and county sewer and you are the owner, the deposit is $150.00, for a lessee it is $200.00. For commercial property with water and county sewer, the county requires a $200.00 sewer deposit in addition to our water deposit. (In this case, an owner will pay a total of $350.00 or a lessee will pay $400.00.)
PAYMENT OPTIONS -
We offer several ways to pay your water and/or sewer bill. We accept payments through the mail, in person at City Hall, Centennial Bank (provided you have your water statement with you), direct debit from your checking account, or by credit card (there may be a $3.00 convenience fee with this option). If you are interested in direct debit, an Authorization Agreement for Direct Payments (ACH Debits) form must be completed and returned with a voided check to City Hall.
PLEASE NOTE: Accounts are not considered paid until our office has received the payment. Postmarks are not considered when assessing late charges.
CUSTOMER SERVICE INQUIRIES –
City Hall is open Monday thru Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Customer inquiries can also be handled by calling our office at (850) 962-4611 during regularly scheduled business hours.
