Clay County commissioners voted 4–1 to adopt a resolution of intent to create municipal service benefit unit (MSBU) boundaries for stormwater maintenance, preserving the option to set a fee later next spring.

County Attorney Courtney Grant told the board the resolution is a procedural notice that allows the county to meet state timing if the board decides to set a fee after the spring study and public process. "The purpose of this resolution is just a notice of intent to set up the process if the board should determine in the spring to actually set a fee," Grant said.

During public comment and questions, a member of the public and commissioners noted prior stormwater investments and ARPA spending the county has used for repairs, and staff repeated a widely cited figure that the county faces an estimated $30 million backlog in stormwater maintenance needs.

Approval of the notice does not set a fee or MSBU assessment. If the board later votes to adopt a fee, the county could place it on the February tax bill — a timing reason staff urged adoption of the notice before the state filing deadline.

The vote passed 4–1. Commissioners and staff said they expect additional public outreach and technical analysis before any fee would be finalized.

Why it matters: County officials said stormwater maintenance has accumulated large unfunded needs from aging pipes, culverts and drainage infrastructure. Authorizing the notice preserves the county’s ability to use an MSBU to ensure properties statewide are assessed fairly for maintenance if the board chooses that path in spring.