Environmental Stormwater Utility

The Stormwater Environmental Utility Special Revenue Fund ("Fund") was created on August 25, 2008, with the passage of Ordinance Number 1168. Per the Ordinance, City Council must annually adopt a budget not later than the first day of each fiscal year (October 1st). 

Equivalent Residential Unit

Additionally, on or before September 15th of each year, the City Council must adopt a rate resolution establishing the stormwater fee for one equivalent residential unit (ERU). The stormwater fee cannot be more than the amount determined by dividing the budgeted cost for the City’s stormwater environmental services for planning, administration, construction, capital improvements, operations and maintenance, extension and replacement, and debt service, by the sum of the ERU values of all the developed parcels in the City.

What Are Your Stormwater Utility Fees Paying For?

The City’s Lakes Management division is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and expanding the City’s stormwater system while complying with Federal water quality mandates. The stormwater system is separate from drinking water and sewer systems.

Historically the City has been attempting to fund its Lakes Management and Stormwater programs, as laid out in the award-winning Stormwater Lakes Management Plan (SLMP), through funds within the General Fund. Over the past few years, it has become increasingly more difficult to continue the expected levels of service within this program solely utilizing General Funds. An ordinance has been proposed which establishes a special revenue fund for the stormwater utility that can only be used to cover the costs within the stormwater and lakes management program.