Title
An Ordinance to Amend Section 2:69 of Chapter 29 (Stormwater Rates) of Title II of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (ORD-21-16)
Memorandum
Your approval is requested to amend Section 2:69 of Chapter 29 of Title II of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor to increase stormwater fees for upcoming operating and capital needs consistent with the City’s Stormwater Utility Rate Study, Capital Improvement Plan, and Stormwater Asset Management Plan.
The City manages an extensive stormwater system consisting of over 231 miles of pipes and culverts, 7,053 manholes, 212 outfalls, 2 surface detention basins, 783 miles of roadway curb and gutters and approximately 11,000 inlets and catch basins that ultimately convey stormwater in the community to the Huron River. The City’s stormwater system provides essential services within the community by protecting real and personal property, and by reducing the impacts of urban surface water runoff to the natural environment.
The cost to operate, maintain, repair and replace the system has increased over time due to the increase in precipitation over time (precipitation has increased 45% in the past 50 years) and increased development and impervious surface in the City.
The City’s stormwater system operations include lining and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure, inspections and cleaning, regulatory compliance for pollution elimination and diversion and mandated programming activities, forestry for street trees, green infrastructure maintenance to comply with the Green Streets Policy, implementation of best management practices, and public education and outreach.
The proposed stormwater rate increase ordinance is the result of the City’s annual budget process including an updated analysis of the stormwater system’s annual and projected multi-year revenue requirements to ensure sufficient funds for operations, maintenance, repairs, and replacements and to meet capital investment plans and other financial requirements. The revenue requirements incorporate a detailed analysis of operations and maintenance costs, enhanced stormwater management activities based on stakeholder and customer input, level of service options, planned developments, customer growth, required levels of operating and debt service reserves, capital funding sources, earnings on invested funds, and planned and required escalation rates for operating costs. In short, the proposed stormwater rate increase will generate additional funds needed to meet the system’s annual and multi-year revenue requirements for operations and capital improvements which protect property and the environment.
The City has identified more than $79 Million in potential projects to improve the City’s stormwater system in the coming years. The City’s five-year capital improvement plan contains $32 Million in projects for the stormwater system with an estimated annual revenue requirement for operations and capital investments of $14 Million.
The revenue requirement increase of 5% is projected to increase revenues to the Stormwater Disposal System by $606,909.00.
City Customers are billed in conjunction with the sewer and water utility. The increase for the stormwater portion of a customer’s bill is an estimated $2.84 per quarter, or $11.36 annually. For the purposes of this comparison, the bill is calculated as a residential customer, in the second tier of the fee structure with billable impervious area between 2,187 and 4,175 square feet. The early payment discount (10%) is not included in this calculation.
Staff
Prepared by: Marti Praschan, Public Services Area Chief of Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Tom Crawford, City Administrator
Body
(See Attached Ordinance)