Brookings council accepts master drainage plan, staff proposes $6.14/month ERU stormwater fee

City of Brookings public works officials on Aug. 13 presented an updated master drainage plan that council accepted after questions about costs and implementation. City Engineer Charlie Richter said the update uses modern hydrologic modeling, identifies projects across five drainage areas and recommends new development standards and maintenance procedures to improve resilience and water quality. “The plan provides a guiding document for future stormwater improvements and developmental standards,” Richter said.

The presentation cited a long‑term increase in rainfall and identified roughly $45,000,000 in projects across the city; staff prioritized about $12,000,000 of projects for delivery over the next 10 years, with individual project estimates ranging from about $380,000 to $4,700,000. Richter said the prioritization and cost estimates were developed within the past year and described them as conservative.

To fund the work, staff proposed moving the city’s stormwater fee to an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) basis. Under the plan, each single‑family residential parcel would be assessed 1 ERU; commercial and industrial parcels would be charged by measured impervious area (minimum 1 ERU). The recommended initial ERU financial charge is $6.14 per month ($73.68 per year), effective 02/2025, with a 3% annual escalation beginning in 2026. Richter said the change would generate approximately $300,000 a year in additional revenue and would raise the average single‑family residential bill by about 4.24%.

Council members asked about the currency and confidence of the cost estimates. Richter replied the estimates were prepared within the last year and are intentionally conservative to avoid requesting additional funds later. Several council members emphasized the need to seek grants and state funding opportunities; Richter said the city will pursue available grants and noted the state revolving fund as one option.

The plan also recommends operational changes including an updated inspection regime, a seven‑year cycle to maintain inlets and storm sewers, and design standards (e.g., 4‑bay access for detention basins and establishing groundwater freeboard). Staff highlighted a pilot residential program that sold 91 rain barrels and issued 40 native‑plant vouchers, and said the ERU revenue could expand those programs to include rain gardens and permeable pavement incentives.

Council voted to accept the plan and approved moving forward with the next steps in the ERU and ordinance process; further ordinance language and a public hearing on the fee calculation method will be scheduled as required. The council recorded its roll‑call vote in support of the plan.