CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Cleveland's ordinance governing its stormwater program is set for a makeover that includes a new and comprehensive fee structure.
The Cleveland City Council is set to vote today on final passage of changes that will take effect Jan. 1, 2016. That includes higher monthly stormwater fees than the nominal $1 and $2 now charged to residents and businesses, respectively.
Jonathan Jobe, the city's development and engineering services director, briefed city leaders on the proposed changes earlier this year.
"This is not something we want to do," he said. "It's something that was forced on us" by the federal Clean Water Act.
The new monthly stormwater fees for residential properties will be tiered at $1.65, $3.25 and $4.90, based on the square footage of impervious areas that do not absorb water. Typical impervious surfaces include concrete, asphalt and roofs.
The fee scale is based on a measurement called the Standard Family Unit, which ranges from 1,776 square feet to 5,900 square feet of impervious area. The Standard Family Unit base rate is $3.25 per month for 3,827 square feet of impervious area.
Residential properties with less than 1,776 square feet of impervious area will be charged $1.65 a month, about 50 percent of the SFU base rate. Those with more than 5,900 square feet of impervious surface will be charged $4.90 per month, or 150 percent of the SFU base rate.
In February, council members expressed support for a scaled fee rather than a blanket rate during discussions with stormwater consultant David Mason.
"We need to take the time to do it right," said Councilman Bill Estes, citing the long-term nature of the stormwater fee plan and the need to make it as equitable as possible.
Multifamily properties will be assessed according to their type. Duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes will be charged $1.65 per unit per month. Apartments with five or more units and townhomes will be assessed $1.30 a month each, while mobile homes will be billed $2.30 each month.
Nonresidential property billing will be based on multiples of the average SFU. For example, a nonresidential property 10 times the size of the average SFU will be billed at 10 times the monthly SFU base rate of $3.25.
Cleveland Utilities will administer storm water billing on behalf of the city.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.