CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- A monthly stormwater fee -- that will raise about $1 million a year -- is one step closer to becoming a reality for properties in the city.
The proposed fee, which would be implemented Jan. 1, 2016, if approved by the Cleveland City Council, received no opposing comments at a public hearing on April 13. The second, and final, public hearing is scheduled for April 27.
"This is not something we want to do," Jonathan Jobe, director of Cleveland Development and Engineering Services, said in a news release. "It's something that was forced on us."
The fee is a result of mandate under the federal Clean Water Act, Jobe said.
The proposed monthly fee is tiered at $1.65, $3.25 and $4.90 for residential properties, according to the square footage of impervious areas of the properties. Impervious areas include everything under one roof and surfaces that do not absorb water, such as concrete and asphalt. Rates vary based on the property:
* The standard family unit, which incorporates between 1,776 square feet and 5,900 square feet of impervious area, will be assessed $3.25 per month.
* Residential properties with less than 1,775 square feet of impervious area will be charged $1.65 per month.
* Residential properties with more than 5,901 square feet of impervious area will be billed $4.90 per month.
* Non-single family properties, such as townhomes, apartment units and mobile homes, will be charged according to their category, with monthly fees ranging from $1.30 to $2.30.
* Nonresidential properties will be billed according to their size compared to the average single-family unit, which is 3,827 square feet of impervious area. If a given nonresidential property has 10 times the average square feet of impervious area of a single-family unit, it will be charged 10 times the single-family unit rate of $3.25.
Stormwater fees may be offset by reducing the amount of impervious area on a property through retention ponds and other measures. The city's stormwater consultant will develop a credit policy, city officials said.
The new fee "is expected to generate approximately $1.1 million annually" for the city's stormwater program, City Manager Janice Casteel stated in Cleveland's 2015-16 budget proposal.
Until a full stormwater utility program fee is implemented, Cleveland properties will continue to be assessed nominal monthly stormwater fees, which began last year and are included in Cleveland Utilities billing.
Now those rates are $1 for residential properties and $2 for nonresidential properties.
Earlier this year, consultant David Mason told the Cleveland City Council that a stormwater utility program would allow the city to improve its level of stormwater service.
Cleveland's current stormwater services are mostly reactive in nature due to lack of funding, he said.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is undertaking a flood-risk management study for the city and is expected to make recommendations this summer.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.