TITLE: Title
Creation of a Stormwater Management Utility
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is for the Board of Aldermen to consider approving an ordinance amending the town code to add a new chapter (18) establishing a stormwater management utility for the Town of Carrboro, effective July 1, 2017.
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DEPARTMENT: Town Manager’s Office, Finance Department, Town Attorney
CONTACT INFORMATION: David Andrews, Bob Hornik, Arche McAdoo, Nate Broman-Fulks, 919-918-7314, nbroman-fulks@townofcarrboro.org.
INFORMATION: Carrboro has and continues to implement stormwater management activities to remain a leader in environmental health, comply with state and federal regulations on water quality and quantity, and respond to resident needs. Carrboro’s Vision 2020 states “Carrboro should be proactive in managing its stormwater, promoting active maintenance of facilities, reducing impacts of increased impervious surface, and minimizing impacts on waterways”.
Since the creation of Vision 2020, the Town has seen an increase in the frequency and severity of storms, leading to higher levels of stormwater impact on residences and existing infrastructure. This time has also seen the creation of state and federal mandates requiring new and increased levels of stormwater management practices.
The Town’s current stormwater responsibilities and activities act on behalf of the community’s environmental values, react to state and federal requirements, and respond to residents’ needs. Due to federal mandates and the increased impact of storms, the need for stormwater management activities has increased. Implementing a stormwater management utility would allow for an effective method to meet these increased needs.
Staff has brought to the Board an ordinance that would establish a stormwater management utility for the Town, effective July 1, 2017, by adding Chapter 18 “Stormwater Management Utility” to the Town Code.
If the Board chooses to add this chapter to the Town Code, it can do so by approving the ordinance found in Attachment A.
For the full staff report and implementation plan, please refer to Attachment C.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: If a utility is created, $308,383 of fund balance has been budgeted to be used by the utility in fiscal year 2017-18. It is projected that a permanent funding structure will be adopted and utilized for fiscal year 2018-19 and beyond.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends the Board consider approving the ordinance establishing a stormwater management utility for the Town of Carrboro.