Agenda Item Name:
Title
Stormwater Assessment FY20 Final Rate Resolution Adoption Hearing
End
Presenter:
Chris Bird
Description:
A public hearing to consider adoption of the FY20 Stormwater Assessment Final Rate Resolution.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adopt the FY20 Stormwater Assessment Final Rate Resolution at a $40 per Equivalent Residential Unit rate.
End
Prior Board Motions:
Adopted the FY20 Stormwater Assessment Preliminary Rate Resolution at a $40 per Equivalent Residential Unit rate (July 9, 2019)
Adopted the FY19 Stormwater Assessment Final Rate Resolution at a $30 per Equivalent Residential Unit rate (September 11, 2018)
Adopted a Resolution of Intent to use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem stormwater assessments within the unincorporated area of the county to fund stormwater capital improvements, infrastructure, drainage maintenance, and water quality improvement services (February 13, 2018)
Enacted Ordinance 06-13, authorizing the imposition of Stormwater Assessments and Fees against real property specifically benefitted by the County’s Stormwater Management Services (2006).
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The proposed stormwater assessment will continue to provide a dedicated funding source to comply with the County’s stormwater management obligations. This assessment reduces the County’s dependency upon the Gas Tax and Ad Valorem taxes to pay for stormwater management. The proposed allocation is to continue the 50/50 allocation between Public Works drainage maintenance and Environmental Protection water quality improvement programs. The proposed assessment continues the Financial Hardship exemption provision that will require the County’s General Fund to make up an estimated loss of $6,000 in revenues for qualifying property owners.
The proposed adoption of a $40 Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) will generate a maximum estimated $1,889,715 in revenues.
Stormwater Management Fund:
EPD 146.55.5511.325.2000
PW 146.79.7920.325.2000
The proposed Water Quality Projects will be funded through the increased assessment and the carry forward of any unspent FY19 funds.
End
Background:
Effective stormwater management is a critical component for increasing local resiliency to nuisance flooding, extreme weather, and climate change.
Alachua County proposes to prepare an FY20 Stormwater Assessment roll for certification to the Tax Collector to allow the collection of a non-ad valorem assessment for certain properties located in unincorporated Alachua County. In accordance with State law, on July 9, 2019, the Board adopted the Preliminary Rate Resolution for the proposed stormwater assessment at the $40 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) rate. The Board authorized the published and mailed notices to property owners in advance of the September 10, 2019 final rate resolution adoption public hearing.
The proposed $40 ERU rate will provide $ 472,830 in additional revenues to be equally allocated between funding an additional Public Works drainage maintenance crew and materials and funding additional EPD water quality improvement projects.
On August 16, 2019, the Alachua County Property Appraiser mailed out TRIM notices with information inserts regarding the proposed stormwater assessment to all applicable property owners. These notices have been deemed to be “First Class Notice to affected property owners” in accordance with State law. On August 20, 2019, a notice of the proposed assessment and the September 10th rate adoption hearing was published in the Gainesville Sun.
Upon Board adoption of the FY20 Final Rate Resolution, staff will begin processing exemption and adjustment requests to update the Stormwater Assessment Roll for certification to the Tax Collector by September 15 in accordance with state law.