Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the R3 Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stormwater panel backs move to flat 90% city cost‑share for R3 program
Summary
The Raleigh Stormwater Management Commission voted to recommend City Council adopt R3 policy revisions that make the program a straight 90% citywide cost share (effective July 1), raise staff review thresholds and change program language; pending applicants were offered the option to wait for the July effective date.
The Raleigh Stormwater Management Commission on February 26 recommended City Council adopt revisions to the Rainwater Rewards (R3) program that would create a straight 90% citywide cost‑share for qualifying green stormwater infrastructure projects, staff said.
In a presentation to the commission, staff said the city will “move from a 75/90% cost share … to a straight 90% citywide,” and that the updated program will take effect July 1. The update also raises the staff review threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 and replaces the term "reimbursement" with "cost share," staff said.
Staff told commissioners they had contacted applicants currently in 75% cost‑share areas and offered them the choice to proceed under the existing policy or delay review until the July effective date. Two applicants requested to delay review; several others opted to proceed. The commission approved a motion to endorse and recommend the policy changes to City Council.
Why it matters: staff said the changes simplify program math, ensure consistent citywide incentives and reduce staff workload by increasing the threshold for administrative review. Commission members asked how ongoing applications would be handled; staff said they had already reached out to pending applicants and documented options on a case‑by‑case basis.
What happens next: the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council. According to staff, any legal or administrative updates needed to implement the change will be prepared in consultation with the city attorney’s office before council deliberation.
Relevant quote: staff summarized the core change as “a straight 90% citywide,” and confirmed an effective date of July 1 during the presentation.
The commission also discussed funding impacts: staff reported program balances shifted during the meeting period as refunds and underbudget projects were reconciled, and noted a recent $100,000 approval that increased available funds for projects.
