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Fayetteville enacts stormwater utility, approves credit programs and gravel compromise
Summary
Council approved a new Chapter 52 stormwater utility to fund stormwater projects, with a credit program and an amendment counting gravel as 50% impervious. Staff and partner groups outlined cost-share and technical assistance options to help residents reduce fees.
Fayetteville’s City Council voted Dec. 17 to enact a stormwater management utility (Chapter 52) to generate revenue for stormwater projects, retrofits and green-infrastructure programs. Council amended the exhibit to treat gravel areas as 50 percent impervious and directed staff to finalize a sustainable credit framework and public outreach before billing begins.
Staff presentation and partners: City staff outlined the proposed credit program and technical definitions drawn from the Drainage Criteria Manual; Chris (city staff) and partners from the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (Leif Kinberg) and Beaver Watershed Alliance (Becky Rourke) described programs that can provide site visits, technical assistance and cost share. Leif said the partnership can ‘‘cost share at about 50%’’ for eligible projects. Becky said her group has supported more than 186 best-management practices in the city and can expand assistance.
Equity and implementation questions: Council members pressed staff about timing, public notice and how credits would work. Several residents raised concerns that charging the fee through sewer bills will affect renters; staff said statutory constraints require the fee be billed through sewer accounts in the city’s approach but proposed mitigation through credits, grants and outreach. Staff said 81% of customers would pay less than $6 monthly under the proposed rate schedule and projected revenues of roughly $3 million annually.
Council action: Council approved amendments to the ordinance and exhibit (including treating gravel as 50% impervious) and passed the ordinance through required readings. The council directed staff to finalize the credit framework, clarify appeals procedures, and provide materials to the public at least months before the initial collections begin.
What to expect: Staff will develop an implementation schedule, finalize credit rules, run public outreach and set up cost-share and technical-assistance programs with partners such as IRWP and Beaver Watershed Alliance. The measure gives the city a dedicated revenue source to address stormwater retrofits and maintenance.
Sources: Staff presentation and partner remarks (Chris, Leif Kinberg, Becky Rourke) and council debate at the Dec. 17 Fayetteville City Council meeting.
