Newark council shortens stormwater rate period to five years, approves utility charge resolution

The Newark City Council on the first reading adopted Resolution 25-69, setting rates for the city’s stormwater utility and approving an amendment that shortened the duration of the updated charge from 10 years to five years.

Council member Raff moved the amendment to change the duration, and Council member Marley seconded. Raff argued the shorter duration in part to limit long-term commitments: "I could make a motion to amend 25 dash 69 to show a duration of 5 years as opposed to 10 year," he said during the discussion. The amendment passed on a roll-call vote, and the council then approved the amended resolution unanimously.

The resolution, as described in the reading, establishes rates for stormwater service charges as authorized by the codified ordinances of the city. During the public roll calls each council member recorded a "Yes" vote; the meeting transcript records the passage as "25 dash 69 has passed" with unanimous support.

The council did not specify line-by-line rate numbers during the discussion recorded in the meeting; the action adopted the rates as set in the resolution text presented to members. Council members noted the updated charge was circulated in members’ meeting packets prior to the vote.

Next steps: the resolution takes effect according to the terms in its adopted language (the council adopted the amendment and final measure in the same session). No further public hearing on this item was announced at the meeting.