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Brookings adopts new stormwater fee structure; city cites $12 million in projects over 10 years
Summary
Council approved a switch to an ERU (equivalent residential unit) storm drainage fee tied to impervious area, proposing an initial ERU charge of $6.14/month ($73.68/year) and estimating $12 million in stormwater projects over 10 years; staff said tiering residential rates would add administrative costs and recommended a flat ERU.
Brookings — The City Council approved Ordinance 24‑027 on Aug. 13, updating Chapter 72 of the municipal code and moving the city to an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) storm drainage fee based on impervious surface.
City Engineer Charlie Richter told the council the current fee, set in 1985, is land‑use based and that an ERU approach is used by more than 80% of communities with stormwater fees. Richter said the city’s proposed initial ERU charge is $6.14 per month (about $73.68 per year), with a 3% annual increase planned beginning in 2026. Staff said the new structure would allow the city to fund roughly $12 million in stormwater projects over the next decade and would more equitably tie fees to impervious area.
Richter described examples showing how the ERU approach would spread costs: two parcels with similar impervious areas would pay similar annual fees under ERU even if one parcel’s total acreage and current charges differ widely. He said staff examined a tiered residential structure but concluded the additional administration and database costs would outweigh the benefit; staff committed to revisiting tiers as technology advances.
Council members asked about monitoring business expansions and reductions in impervious area. Richter said the city will use building permits to detect increases in impervious area and will perform periodic infrared flyovers to validate impervious measurements and process appeals for adjustments.
What happened: Council approved Ordinance 24‑027 on second reading. Implementation notes in staff materials indicate the new ERU charge takes effect in 2025 and will be invoiced through property tax assessments.
