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Residents, commissioners press town for clearer stormwater funding and stronger on‑site controls
Summary
Public comment and commissioners pressed town staff about stormwater funding shortfalls and whether the town should raise stormwater fees; residents also urged more transparent, dynamic financial reporting. Commissioners asked developers to exceed minimum stormwater standards where possible.
Stormwater funding and management drew sustained discussion at the Feb. 10 Matthews Board of Commissioners meeting, with a taxpayer calling for more transparent finance reports and several commissioners pressing staff and developers for stronger on‑site stormwater measures.
Public comment: Steve Brooks, a Matthews resident, told the commissioners the prior meeting’s stormwater briefing left him confused about financial need and urged the town to “consider all of the various revenue and expense streams holistically” and to publish dynamic monthly financial reports and projections. He noted the town’s reported operating surplus and contingency line items and questioned proposals to cover stormwater shortfalls with new taxes or fees before the 2025–26 budget process is complete.
Commissioner questions and staff response: Commissioners pressed planning and public‑works staff during subsequent rezoning discussions—notably during the Epic Hospitality hotel item—about whether new projects will meet only the town’s minimum stormwater standards or go beyond to relieve downstream flooding concerns. Planning staff said recent site revisions resolved a problematic outfall location and that applicants will still be held to existing regulations; staff and the applicant on several projects agreed to work on alternative underground detention or other on‑site solutions if thresholds require.
Why it matters: Commissioners noted repeated, localized flooding along 4 Mile Creek and said the town needs a proactive approach that anticipates increasing runoff from new development. Staff noted the last stormwater fee increase was several years ago and that many current projects must still meet the town’s technical standards; commissioners urged evaluating whether standards should be raised or whether applicants could provide larger pipes, underground detention or other measures.
Follow‑up: Commissioners asked staff to incorporate the fiscal and technical feedback into upcoming budget and development reviews. Resident requests for dynamic reporting and transparent projections will be considered as part of the town’s budgeting process; staff agreed to continue working with applicants to refine on‑site stormwater designs and to flag any cases where off‑site impacts might warrant higher mitigation standards.
Speakers who raised or responded to stormwater issues included public commenter Steve Brooks; Commissioners John Urban and Richard Tufano; planning staff Rob; town engineer Susan Albino Wooler; and applicants’ engineering representatives.
