Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council moves to add stormwater/drainage fee to water bills to cover federally required program
Summary
To meet Clean Water Act obligations and fund a stormwater program and inspector, Northlake staff proposed a monthly stormwater fee (about $5 per residential account) that would free up ~$400,000 in general‑fund resources; council approved the program after public comment about fairness and outreach.
Town staff explained that a new stormwater/drainage fee added to water bills would fund compliance work required under the Clean Water Act and by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The fee is calculated on a residential equivalent unit (5,000 sq. ft.) and staff estimated it would generate about $400,000, enabling the town to stop funding the program from property taxes and instead pay for stormwater inspectors, capital projects and education.
Council members and residents debated fairness and alternatives. One resident said the expense should be borne by the general fund rather than appear as an extra charge on each household's water bill; a council member said the town will pursue congressional advocacy about unfunded federal mandates but that maintaining core services like police and roads would be harmed if the general fund absorbed the cost. Staff said the bill will include an insert explaining the new fee, and education/outreach will be part of program roll‑out. The council approved the fee following the public hearing and motions on the floor.
