Douglas County officials said the county’s stormwater program is preventing deterioration of drainage assets but lacks a sustainable funding source to meet growing maintenance and capital needs, and staff recommended creation of a dedicated stormwater utility to raise roughly $4–5 million a year.

The county manager and stormwater staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on the county’s obligations under the Lake Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, the condition of county drainage infrastructure, and a prioritized list of capital projects. County Manager Jennifer Davidson and Stormwater Program Manager Courtney Walker said the county currently funds operations with about $1 million annually but faces projected operating needs of $4–5 million and identified roughly $140 million in countywide stormwater and drainage projects in the master plan.

Those projects range from area-wide treatment basins at Tahoe to conveyance repairs and culvert replacements in the valley. Walker said Douglas County has increased the share of ‘good’ infrastructure ratings from under 50% to more than 95% after standing up a small maintenance crew, but that continued progress requires capital investment and dedicated replacement funding. The county has grant applications outstanding for roughly $12 million in projects but lacks matching funds, Davidson said.

Why it matters: Sediment is the main pollutant reducing Lake Tahoe clarity; the TMDL requires jurisdictions around the lake to demonstrate annual and five-year credits from water-quality projects, parcel best-management practices and improved road operations. Without dedicated funding the county risks backsliding on both flood protection for residents and water-quality commitments to the lake.

What staff proposed: Davidson and Walker outlined a funding package that would finance ongoing operations, set aside replacement reserves for equipment and pipes, and provide a $1 million-per-year allocation for critical land acquisitions and easements. Staff estimated the fully funded program would support about $14 million in capital borrowing (10-year SRF-style financing) and close the program’s structural deficit. As a practical rate example, staff cited a national average stormwater utility fee of about $6 per month per household and said a Douglas County utility averaging that amount could meet the need; Carson City’s residential stormwater rate was presented as local context.

Public comment and local concerns: Dozens of residents and neighborhood representatives spoke before and during the presentation. Multiple speakers from the Ruined Straw/Bruenstrauth area (Smelter Creek) — including residents who said their properties received mud and flood damage, and neighborhood leaders — urged immediate creek-bed cleanout, damage assessments and short-term assistance. Speaker accounts described trees and processed debris jamming fences, garages filled with mud and wells or propane tanks displaced. Commissioners acknowledged field tours were planned and that county staff were working on short-term responses.

Lake and agency partners: The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (Jason Kuchnicki) and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (John Hester) told the commissioners they support local, area-wide infrastructure and maintenance commitments. NDEP noted that a stable local funding source strengthens grant competitiveness, including federal 319/TMDL matching funds. TRPA recommended a unified, countywide approach rather than many small districts; TRPA’s COO said area-wide infrastructure and steady maintenance are easier to administer and more effective for the lake’s clarity goals.

Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners asked for more outreach and data on how funding would be allocated between the lake and valley and for metrics tied to shoulder-season room nights and sales/gaming impacts the county has discussed in other forums. Manager Davidson said staff will complete planned public outreach (Genoa, Pinion Hills and other meetings) and return with options for board direction in late November or early December. If the board directs staff to pursue a utility, the county intends to bring ordinance language, rate structures and the public-notice schedule back for formal hearings.

What remains unresolved: Staff and commissioners noted uncertainty about federal funding programs and how long-term federal priorities might shift mitigation funding. County staff cautioned that without additional local revenue the current stormwater reserve will be exhausted in roughly two years and maintenance levels would likely be reduced.

Ending: Commissioners did not adopt funding tonight but asked staff to finish community outreach and present concrete ordinance and rate options for formal public hearings; residents asked for tours, immediate short-term creek cleanup in Smelter Creek and quicker damage assessment and county follow-up.