Title
QCI Update; Stormwater Utility Fee Implementation
Body
Summary and Background Information:
In January 2013, the Quality Community Initiative (QCI) presented to City Council the results of their year-long process of engaging the community in a series of neighborhood meetings, as well as through mailed surveys to determine long-term capital improvement goals that are well supported by the committee and the community. This presentation also included the committee's recommendations for proposed capital projects and funding mechanisms to achieve these goals. One of the funding mechanisms identified was a Stormwater Utility Fee.
The fee is needed to fund various stormwater and water quality related maintenance activities and capital projects. Many of these activities are un-funded mandates by the State and Federal governments; and, the City does not have funding sources to meet these mandates and must fund through the general fund. The City spends approximately $875,314 annually from the general fund on a stormwater program, which is considered sub-standard and does not meet the same level of maintenance provided to roads and parks. The ultimate goal of the fee is to provide the same maintenance levels of service to City-owned drainage and water quality facilities that roads and parks receive; and, to have funding for future drainage capital improvements that are currently needed or will be needed in the future. Currently, over 20 local communities in the Denver-metro area have similar utility fees to fund these mandates and activities.
In 2012, City Council approved $200,000 for the implementation of a Stormwater Utility Fee. After considerable analysis and presentation to City Council, the fee was not approved. The cost to re-start the implementation with an expanded public outreach program will be $205,000. Currently, there is $110,000 remaining from the previous implementation project, so an additional $95,000 will be required to fund implementa...
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