Riverside outlines stormwater utility plan with tiered residential fees, credits and multi-year outreach

Service Director Beth Moore and City Manager Josh led an extended presentation on April 7 describing Riverside’s stormwater program, the history of local planning and the city’s proposed stormwater utility structure.

Moore opened a “Stormwater Education Series” presentation by defining stormwater and distinguishing it from sanitary wastewater, and she said most stormwater in Riverside drains directly to the Great Miami River, Mad River or Lily Creek without treatment. She reviewed the city’s stormwater master plan (originally prepared circa 2015) and noted the matter has been discussed repeatedly at city meetings since 2015 and extensively since 2022. Moore reminded council that a long Ohio EPA stormwater permit imposes operational requirements on the city.

Staff described the fee proposal in general terms: an enterprise fund fee based on impervious surface area and three residential tiers that the presentation quantified as…