Ponce Inlet adopts mitigation credit policy with multi-tier structure and recertification

On July 16 the Town Council adopted Resolution 2026-10, approving the Stormwater Utility Assessment Mitigation Credit Policy Manual that sets eligibility, tiering, and recertification rules for credits against the new stormwater assessment.

Town Manager Mr. Disher and consultant Ms. Christina Conchilla described two credit categories — stormwater quality improvement/quantity reduction credits and stormwater quantity reduction credits — each with two tiers based on treatment and retention. "Properties with St. Johns River Water Management District permits meeting current stormwater standards may qualify for up to a 25% credit," the record states, while older permitted systems may qualify for a 10% credit. Additional pathways were added to allow properties without qualifying permits to apply if they can demonstrate retention capability, including a potential 100% credit for properties capturing all runoff from a 100-year storm event and a 10% credit for meeting 25-year event standards.

The manual includes a five-year recertification requirement to ensure ongoing maintenance and an appeals process for denied applications. For the first year, staff set an application deadline of approximately August 3, 2026 to meet tax-roll timing; future years will use a June 1 deadline. Council voted 5-0 to adopt the policy and directed staff to publish the manual online and manage the application and appeal process.