The Stormwater Utility addresses the issue of stormwater pollutants and their removal or elimination before entering the stormwater system. Furthermore, the Utility provides the opportunity to integrate various technologies to manage stormwater, wastewater, and water using a holistic approach. The utility funding is being used to help fund the repair and maintenance of stormwater structures to help prevent flooding problems caused by rainfall that washes off roofs, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces. Impervious surfaces are those areas within developed land, which prevent or significantly impede the natural infiltration of stormwater into the soil. Common impervious surfaces include roof tops, solid decks, asphalt streets, driveways, patios, parking areas, brick or concrete pavements, swimming pools, and buildings.
All property owners are being charged a stormwater utility fee fairly and proportionately for the demand they put on the system. A utility is the most predictable, equitable, and stable source of revenue. The utility divides the fees equitably among property owners of developed properties so that each owner pays only for the demand they put on the system. The amount of impervious area on all properties for non-single family parcels is derived using aerial topography and field measurements. Aerial photography is used to determine that the median amount of impervious area. Owners of non-single-family-residential are eligible for a credit is they have and maintain a stormwater detention or retention facility on their property in accordance with the City’s policies. Information concerning specific service charges is presented in the Policy Statements section of this plan.
The objectives of the Stormwater Utility is to deliver a higher level of service in stormwater management through: Watershed Management; Stormwater Quality; and Public Education, Public Involvement, and Public Participation