Financing and Developing a Storm Water Utility Program

Benefits

Local governments are facing growing challenges to manage storm water runoff due to aging infrastructure, ever-increasing capital needs and unfunded federal mandates to manage water quality. Storm water programs that are supported primarily by the general fund must compete annually with other programs and funding is often unreliable and insufficient. Due to the recent recession, tax revenues are down and are expected to be lower in the future.

Successful county and municipal storm water program managers are now recognizing that providing storm water management is a basic utility service similar to water supply and wastewater utilities. Well-designed fee structures for the storm water services can provide reliable funding for management systems that are supported by the public. This audio conference will provide guidance for securing elected official, senior management and public support for a utility, defining an effective storm water management program, identifying and analyzing adequate revenue sources to reliably support the program, and implementing a storm water utility and impact fee program.

Learning Objectives

• You will be able to review costs vs. revenue.
• You will be able to discuss political issues and business interests.
• You will be able to identify legacy systems.
• You will be able to recognize program and finance needs, goals and legal issues.

Agenda

  Background Information and Overview

• Resources vs. Money vs. Revenue
• Advantages of a User Fee
• Due Diligence
• Equity
• Adequacy

      Compelling Case

• Why Is It Necessary?
• What Problems Are We Solving?
• Why Would the Public Agree to Pay a Fee?

      Program Priorities 

• Capital Construction
• Maintenance
• Water Quality
• Administration, Engineering, Review, Planning, GIS, Billing

      Costs vs. Revenue 

• Sources of Funds
• Impervious Area and Rate Structures
• Database and Billing
• Uses of Funds
• Cash Flow Balance

      Show Stoppers 

• Political Issues
• Legal Issues
• Key Development or Business Interests
• Recent Fee or Tax Increases

      Next Steps If Go 

• Public Information and Participation
• Program Needs and Goals
• Finance Policies and Legal Issues

      Impact Fee Programs 

• Should New Development and Redevelopment Pay Their Way?
• Basic Methods and Pros And Cons
• Dealing With Legacy Systems

      Discussion

Who Should Attend

This audio conference is designed for engineers, public works and utilities directors, government officials, planners, construction and project managers, presidents, vice presidents, environmental professionals, developers, contractors, architects and property managers.