Downers Grove Council to Consider Stormwater Fee

The village council will consider an ordinance Tuesday night that will change how the stormwater management system is funded.

The stormwater utility ordinance would abolish the village's current property tax-based system and establish fees determined by how much stormwater each property creates.

Downers Grove maintains its own stormwater infrastructure, which includes storm sewer pipes, streams, wetlands, roadway ditches and drainage structures. Historically, repairs and maintenance have been funded through property tax dollars.

The current funding level is not adequate to maintain and replace the system as needed, according to village officials.

During the village council's Aug. 14 meeting, Mayor Martin Tully said the creation of a stormwater utility marks "an important policy direction for a very important funding issue in this community that needs to be addressed."

"The reality is that we've all agreed that something must be done," Tully said. "We need a sustainable, equitable system for funding our ongoing stormwater infrastructure and maintenance obligations."

The ordinance, which would implement the utility by January 2013, would generate appoximately $3.5 million in revenue, according to village officials.

Property taxes previously levied for the stormwater system and debt service expenses—about $2.48 million—will not be levied beginning next year.

Under the new utility, monthly fees will be calculated based equivalent runoff units (ERU), or the area on each property that cannot absorb water, such as a roof or driveway. One ERU equals 3,300 square feet.

Single-family homes fall into three tiers of payment, depending on their size:

• 1-2,500 square feet: $6.30 per ERU
• 2,501-4,000 square feet: $8.40. per ERU
• 4,001-7,000 square feet: $12.60 per ERU

All stormwater fees will be collected on a common utility bill from the village. Residents on the south side of Downers Grove will receive their first bill Jan. 2, 2013, and residents on the north side will be billed Feb. 1.

Stan Balicki, assistant director of operations for Downers Grove, said the shift to a fee-based system would increase public awareness about stormwater management and encourage property owners to reduce the amount of run-off from their property.

Residents will be eligible for credits and incentives to offset the fee if they take steps to reduce stormwater runoff on their properties. Rain barrels, rain gardens and permeable pavers all qualify for incentives.

Downers Grove officials have been discussing the possibility of a stormwater utility since 2003, when the village established a committee to explore the issue. The committee ultimately determined that the village needed a master plan for the system, which was completed in 2006.

It wasn't until 2011 that the village finally embarked on a stormwater utility study, hiring Municipal and Financial Services Group to develop a plan for creating and funding a new system.

The plan was presented to the village council in late 2011, and a series of public meetings were held in January to discuss the issue with residents, business and local organizations.

The council voted 6-1 in April to authorize a draft of the ordinance. A formal vote is expected Tuesday night.

Since April, the village has created a billing system and incentive manual, as well as a plan for public outreach once the utility system is in place. Officials plan to share information through the village website, social media, Channel 6, direct mailings and electronic alerts.

"There are three main items that the plan is seeking to address: creating awareness of the utility prior to anyone receiving the bill, letting people know the financial impacts they'll be facing on the bill and giving them the tools for them to lower their bill as well," Balicki said.

The Downers Grove village council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at , 801 Burlington Ave. For more information, visit www.downers.us.

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