Northglenn council approves stormwater fee increase to fund repairs and upgrades

The Northglenn City Council voted unanimously on July 13 to increase monthly stormwater impact fees for residents and commercial property owners to support an identified capital program and ongoing maintenance.

Director of Public Works Sarah Borgers presented an infrastructure condition assessment that identified prioritized pipe and drainage needs across the city and a five‑to‑ten year capital improvement program. Borgers said the proposed rate change would raise the residential stormwater fee from $2 to $7 per month and change the commercial rate from $20 to $70 per acre per month, with changes effective Jan. 1, 2027 if council adopted the resolution.

Borgers outlined the top five high‑priority projects (portions of 104th Ave, a segment near 112th, Irma Drive replacements, Muriel Drive and Larson Lane) and the plan to pair city work with Mile High Flood District projects when feasible. She said staff will return every two years with status updates on construction and the fund balance, a requirement written into the resolution.

City Attorney Corey Hoffman clarified a recurring public concern about taxes versus fees, telling council and the public that the proposal is a stormwater fee, not a tax: “A fee is when the charge is imposed as part of a regulatory scheme…This is not a tax under any scenario,” he said, explaining that Colorado law distinguishes fees that reasonably relate to the cost of service from general taxes.

Council members and staff discussed comparisons to peer cities and how the city’s older infrastructure affects cost estimates. Council member Kondo and others asked targeted questions about damaged lines, the ability to pursue recoupment from contractors who damaged pipes, and coordination with Mile High Flood District. Borgers said right‑of‑way permitting and bonding create pathways to recover costs when damage is identified in a timely manner but noted that damage is sometimes discovered long after the event.

The resolution passed unanimously. Staff said the fee increase, together with grant and partner funding where available, is intended to stabilize the stormwater fund and allow the city to address deferred maintenance before failures become more costly.