The Clay County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 on Nov. 10 to contract Jones Edmonds to conduct a comprehensive stormwater utility analysis and rate modeling, a step staff said is needed to identify sustainable funding for aging stormwater infrastructure and new regulatory demands.

Troy (Speaker 13) and Mark (Jones Edmonds) outlined a project scope that includes data collection, financial analysis, exempt/mitigation policy work, public workshops and draft ordinance language. The contract was presented as roughly $148,000 and intended to be completed in time to inform the board’s budget schedule for 2026.

Commissioners debated whether the study should proceed absent a concurrent, holistic review of county budget priorities and grant opportunities. Commissioner (Speaker 6) and others urged caution: the study’s outputs could point to a range of fee structures and assessment levels and would be used alongside budget reallocations and grant strategies; however, the board must follow statutory timelines for the notice of intent and public hearing process should it elect to pursue a fee.

"This study is a tool to help you through that process, instead of guessing," one commissioner said during the meeting, urging the board to gather robust data to inform any future decisions. Another commissioner said publicly that commissioning the analysis did not mean immediate adoption of a fee and that the board retains multiple decision points in spring and late summer 2026.

The motion authorized the county manager to execute the contract and directed staff to advertise the required notice of intent; the motion passed 4-1.

Why it matters: County staff said approximately $30 million of capital stormwater work and an ongoing $3 million annual shortfall in maintenance funding remain unfunded. The study will outline options and a legally defensible rate structure should the board choose to pursue a fee and will better position the county for grants and matching funds.

Next steps: Jones Edmonds will begin data collection and modeling; staff will schedule public workshops and return to the board with rate options and draft ordinance language in the spring to align with budget hearings.