What happened
During her presentation to council, Jennifer Dyke, assistant director of the city’s stormwater program, said the increase in fees will help pay for much-needed rehabilitation to a portion of the city’s drainage pipe system.
Dyke gave the following statistics in her report:
- The stormwater system includes 1,059 miles of drainage pipe, of which 735 miles are considered main lines
- 59 miles of main lines are estimated to be at high risk of failure
- A recent assessment of the system has identified between 5,000 to 57,000 linear feet of pipe needing immediate rehabilitation or rehabilitation within two years. Cost estimates for the rehabilitation are between $42 million-$170 million
Zooming in
Dyke said the 5% increase, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025, would increase the basic rate from $6.61 to $6.94 per month per billing unit. The fee increase would provide revenue of $2.14 million in fiscal year 2025 and $2.9 million in fiscal year 2026 and allow the city to issue an estimated $12 million in debt for storm pipe rehabilitation.
The backstory
Dyke said the stormwater program was created in 2006 after severe flooding in 2004 caused damage to more than 300 properties and the loss of five lives.
She said the city’s stormwater program has four primary functions:
- Maintain drainage infrastructure
- Mitigate hazards
- Warn the public about hazards
- Review development
A city news release states stormwater program officials are developing a strategic plan to understand and effectively plan for current and future anticipated program priorities and funding needs. They are seeking feedback from residents in the form of a survey to determine priorities and service levels.