Brookings expands stormwater incentives with larger native-plant vouchers, rain-barrel reimbursements and rain-garden pilot

The City of Brookings will expand its stormwater incentive program in 2025, increasing native-plant voucher amounts, raising the rain-barrel reimbursement and launching a pilot rain-garden design program in partnership with South Dakota State University.

Shonda Remus, engineering technician for the City of Brookings, told the City Council that the 2024 pilot drew strong interest: all 40 native-plant vouchers were claimed within a week and the city subsidized 76 rain-barrel orders. “Through the native plants, all 40 vouchers were actually claimed within the first week,” Remus said. “The rain barrel pickup event … had 76 total orders placed.”

Why it matters: the incentives aim to reduce stormwater runoff, increase on-site infiltration and keep more stormwater pollutants out of the city system. The city and Brookings Municipal Utilities (BMU) are funding and expanding the program after the 2024 pilot identified high demand and some gaps in local availability.

Details and changes for 2025

- Rain barrels: Residents may buy any barrel they prefer and submit a receipt for reimbursement up to $50; last year’s subsidy was $30 and limited to a bulk-ordered product. Remus said the change responds to complaints about limited color and material options in the prior bulk purchase.

- Native-plant vouchers: The city will again issue 40 vouchers. Voucher recipients must spend a minimum amount per voucher (minimum purchase $250, up to $500) and the city will reimburse 50% of the purchase. Remus said recipients typically bought about 21 native plants per voucher during the pilot.

- Rain gardens pilot: The city will offer four vouchers—each reimbursable up to $1,000—and has partnered with SDSU’s landscape architecture program and SDSU Extension. “SDSU landscape architecture students will actually meet with the client, help do a site survey for them and help them through the design process as well as the oversight of the construction,” Remus said. The city plans a public presentation on rain gardens at McCrory Gardens on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Local partnerships and administration

Remus said the city has worked with local and regional nurseries to help residents get itemized receipts for native plants; named partners included Norms (Aurora), Madera Acres and 6 Mile Nursery. BMU matched city funds this year to expand the program, Remus said.

Council reaction and next steps

Council members thanked staff and the sustainability council for the program design and the SDSU partnership. Councilmember Specker asked whether the program would match Sioux Falls’ longer-running efforts for other public projects; staff said the city is building local capacity and that rain gardens are a pilot for 2025. The rain-barrel reimbursement opens on Earth Day, April 22; native-plant vouchers also begin April 22.

The city will accept receipts for reimbursement and will provide application details on the city website and at the engineering office.