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McMinnville council deadlocks on proposed stormwater utility after hours of debate
Summary
After public opposition and a split council debate about fairness, transparency and legal obligations, McMinnville’s proposed ordinance to create a stormwater utility failed a first-reading vote. Residents and some council members urged more review and clearer credit policies.
The McMinnville City Council on May 8 failed to advance an ordinance that would create a dedicated stormwater utility and special revenue fund to pay for stormwater management and federal MS4 compliance.
Supporters argued that a dedicated utility is the only viable, sustainable funding mechanism to meet federal and state regulatory obligations and to allocate costs based on impervious surface impact. “If we are serious about addressing runoff and protecting property, we must provide the tools and funding necessary to do so,” said the council member who advocated for the ordinance (identified in the transcript as the board advocate).
Opponents and public commenters called for more transparency and questioned the fee’s distribution and credit…
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