Finance committee backs Concord stormwater enterprise budget as rate hearing and outreach continue

The Finance Committee voted to recommend affirmative action on Article 34, the proposed fiscal 2026 stormwater enterprise budget, after a presentation by town engineers and Public Works staff explaining the planned program, fee structure and credits.

Town Engineer Steven Ducran and Public Works Director Alan Cathcart presented the enterprise’s work plan and revenue model. For FY26 the proposed budget totals about $1,060,000 (approximately $580,800 operating; $482,000 capital). Staff said the fee will be calculated using an equivalent residential unit (ERU) equal to 5,570 square feet of impervious area; the consultant’s recommendation yields a residential ERU rate of $118 per year. The forecast assumes roughly $1.1 million in gross receipts with a 10% allowance for credits.

Ducran summarized the operating budget items: regulatory compliance and MS4 permit work (estimated $312,800), asset management (videoing, mapping; $131,000), staffing/billing support and water-quality monitoring. Capital items focused on phosphorus-removal projects required under the MS4 permit and infrastructure repairs. The stormwater credit policy proposes up to 25% credit for small residential properties that install on-site controls, up to 50% credits for nonresidential properties, and a 25% low-income discount.

Public and committee discussion focused on distributional impacts and implementation timing. Several committee members and members of the public asked how the fee burden would fall across nonprofits, commercial properties and residents. Ducran and Cathcart explained roughly half the program’s revenue will come from nonresidential parcels (including larger nonprofit campuses and commercial parking lots) and half from residential fees; they acknowledged that some nonprofits and institutions will see substantial bills compared with prior practice. Staff emphasized outreach and education, and said a Public Works Commission rate hearing on May 14 will finalize the fee schedule before billing implementation is attempted.

Town staff said an ideal start date for billing would be July 1; practical delays in setting up billing and customer service systems could push revenue collection later in the fiscal year, reducing FY26 receipts pro rata. Staff also highlighted customer support plans, a proposed internal staffing equivalent to roughly one full-time position for administration and billing, and use of GIS to calculate impervious area for each parcel.

Members of the public urged broader outreach and clearer briefings (including information in the annual town-meeting briefing book) and requested time to evaluate nonprofit and business impacts. The Finance Committee moved to recommend affirmative action on Article 34; after discussion the motion passed.