Stormwater Utility
What is it?
A stormwater utility is an organization and financial entity that establishes a formal plan of action and an implementation strategy to help secure the funding necessary to operate a local government’s stormwater management program (GAEPD, 2008). This is widely understood to be the most fair, equitable, and stable method for funding a local stormwater program. Property owners pay into the utility for stormwater management services based on the services they use. Much like other public utilities, stormwater utilities user fees are based on the amount of services each particular customer uses. The use is directly related to the amount of stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces. The stormwater utility is not designed to entirely support the stormwater management program. It supplements additional sources of funding and seeks to reduce potential tax increases.
Why do we need it?
The Rincon Stormwater Utility will help provide revenue to operate the City’s stormwater management program by developing a Stormwater Capital Improvement Plan and by funding stormwater improvement projects. This utility helps the City of Rincon by having a means and organizational structure in place to control the negative environmental impacts of increased urbanization while balancing the desire of economic growth.
The City of Rincon also has to maintain a Watershed Protection Plan along with the Waste Water Treatment Facility Permit. Compliance seeks to improve water quality and is necessary to operate the plant. These compliance activities requires funding, that the Stormwater Utility helps to provide.
