Title
Stormwater Rate Structure Project Update
Recommended Action
Receive a briefing on the Stormwater Utility's proposed new rate structure and the Utility's proposed approach to communication and outreach on the proposed new Stormwater rate structure.
Report
Issue:
Receive a briefing on the Stormwater Utility's proposed new rate structure and a new rate structure outreach and communication strategy.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Presenters:
Susan Clark
Background and Analysis:
Current Stormwater Rate Structure
The City of Olympia's stormwater rates vary by customer class (e.g. single family, multi-family, commercial, and industrial). Single-family residential customers (including duplexes) pay a flat rate that is discounted for plats approved after 1990 that have a signed maintenance agreement. All other customers pay a fixed administrative fee per account and a charge based on billing units according to the property's assigned rate category.
"Billing unit" means the same as "equivalent residential unit": Two thousand five hundred twenty-eight (2,528) square feet of impervious surface development on a parcel (OMC 13.16.010 B). This is the average amount of impervious surfaces found on a single-family residential parcel (hence the term Equivalent Residential Unit) within Olympia city limits in 1990.
Which of the rate categories applies to a property is defined by the property's development date (after 1990; 1980-1990; pre-1980). Stormwater management requirements for new development were increased in 1980 and 1990. Newer development is, therefore, assumed to provide a higher level of on-site stormwater management (flow control and treatment) thereby resulting in the lower rate.
The attached Table 1 provides current rate information.
Challenges with the Stormwater Utility's current rate structure include:
* The development dates included in the rate structur...
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