Clay County directs staff to seek stormwater utility study after master plan finds tens of millions in needs

Clay County commissioners on Oct. 14 heard a countywide stormwater master plan prepared by Jones Edmunds and directed staff to bring a proposal to develop and evaluate a stormwater utility and funding alternatives.

The consultant presentation, led by Brian Eisman of Jones Edmunds with modeling work described by Justin Gregory, identified a prioritized list of capital projects and maintenance needs countywide. The study estimated roughly $30 million in capital projects to address level-of-service and capacity gaps; staff also identified approximately 75 known underfunded maintenance items totaling about $20 million, and consultant modeling suggested a proactive annual maintenance program of about $5 million per year would be required to maintain the system and limit emergency repairs.

Eisman emphasized changing environmental baselines as a reason to plan now: “The tides are getting higher,” he told the board, noting…