1. Tim Carter, Ph.D., University of Georgia River Basin Center Courtney Reich, AICP Ecological Planning Group, Inc. Ron Feldner, P.E. In partnership with: Center for Watershed Protection Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division

2. Georgia Stormwater Utility Handbook Handbook Outline Section I: Introduction & Background Section II: Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Assessment & Funding Analysis Section III: Six Steps to Setting Up a Stormwater Utility Section IV: Conclusions and Additional Resources

3. Drivers for Local Stormwater Management Programs (SWMPs) Recurring Flooding Problems Land Development Pressures Aging Infrastructure and O&M Streambank Erosion Capital Project Implementation Ecosystem Preservation & Restoration Regulatory Compliance Citizen Lawsuits Water Quality Management Environmental Stewardship Preservation of Property Values

4. Obstacles to Local SWMP Implementation Understanding of Watershed Impacts Program Needs & Priorities Program Organization & Responsibilities Inadequate Funding Poorly Defined Extent of Service Policy & Level of Service Policy Stakeholder & Elected Official Education Other

5. Drivers for Local SWMPs The State of Georgia’s State Water Plan recommends that local governments set up and implement Stormwater Utilities to address non-point source pollution (i.e. stormwater runoff). The State Water Plan states that Stormwater Utilities should be utilized as a mechanism for funding the administration, operations and maintenance, and capital costs of local stormwater management programs and non-point source pollution controls. Plan compliance will assist with EPD permitting efforts. The Coastal Comprehensive Plan recommends that local governments “develop stormwater utility programs across the region” to meet specific watershed management goals outlined in the Plan. In addition, the Plan outlines performance standards for local governments to achieve “excellence standards” and one of those standards includes implementing a stormwater utility. Plan compliance also will support maintaining Qualified Local Government Status with DCA.

6. Section I: Introduction and Background

7. A Stormwater Utility Provides a Vehicle for: Consolidation of Program Responsibilities Among Several Departments Generation of Funding that is Stable, Adequate, Fair and Equitable (SAFE) An Organizational Entity Implementation of a Program that is Comprehensive, Cohesive and Consistent Year to Year Pg ES-4, Guidance for Municipal Stormwater Funding, EPA

8. Stormwater Utility Overview Formal Organizational and Financial Entity Stand Alone Stormwater Enterprise Fund Separate Budget Under Existing Water & Sewer Consistent and Stable Revenue Stream Assigns Costs to Parcels in a Fair and Equitable Manner Functions as a User Fee based System Similar to other Public Utilities (water, sewer, sanitation, etc.)

9. Stormwater User Fee Overview Stormwater User Fee: A charge assigned to a parcel for Stormwater Management Services provided by the local government The user fee charge is the amount paid by the customer for the stormwater runoff demand that the parcel imposes on the City (or County) Drainage System and the Program The user fees paid by the customers fund the Stormwater Program

10. Stormwater Utilities in Georgia In 1998, the City of Griffin set up the first Stormwater Utility in Georgia. In 2004, less than ten Stormwater Utilities were established in Georgia, but many communities were considering the option. In 2008, approximately 35 Stormater Utilities are established in Georgia with over 90% in metro Atlanta. By 2015, the total number of Stormwater Utilities in Georgia could approach 100!

11. Section II: Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) Assessment & Funding Analysis

12. Program Components & Functional Areas Administration Billing & Financial Management Stormwater Planning & Engineering Capital Improvements Operations & Maintenance Regulation and Enforcement Pg 3-9, GA Stormwater Management Manual

13. Stormwater Management “Business Plan” Compelling Desire and Need for Change Establish Vision Conduct Inventory & Issues Review Perform Level of Service and Cost of Service Analysis Define Program Needs & Priorities Identify Funding Requirements & Sources Develop Program Strategy/Business Plan Implement Plan Pg 2-2, Guidance for Municipal Stormwater Funding

14. Program Level of Service Matrix Level of Service Operation and Maintenance Program Management and Compliance Capital Improvement Program Exceptional Fully preventative / 100% routine Comprehensive planning, NPDES compliance, full implementation Prioritized / Fully Funded Comprehensive Mixture of routine and inspection based Proactive Planning, NPDES compliance, systematic implementation Phased implementation/allocated budgets ExpandedInspection-based only Priority planning, NPDES compliance, partial implementation Complaint, inspection- based, moderate budget AverageResponsive only Some planning, partial compliance, partial implementation Critical needs only/ minimum budget MinimalNon-responsive No planning, non- compliance, limited implementation No planning / no budget Pg 30, Stormwater Magazine, November/December 2005

15. Cost of Service (COS) Comparison Funding Gap = $450,000

16. There are numerous stormwater management program funding methods and variations for local governmentsThere are numerous stormwater management program funding methods and variations for local governments There is a big difference between “resources”, “money” and “revenue”There is a big difference between “resources”, “money” and “revenue” Source: Andy Reese, Multi-Jurisdictional Stormwater Agency Presentation

17. Funding Strategies Money (Taxes, SPLOST, Plan Review Fees) Typically limited in amount Not reliable Revenue (Stormwater Payments/User Fees) Stable, reliable and consistent Income and cash flow Resources (Grants, Volunteers) Low cost to government – “OPM” Pg 2-1, Guidance for Municipal Stormwater Funding

18. Funding the Program….. General Fund* General Obligation Bonds Revenue Bonds Development Impact Fees Special Assessments/Tax Districts User Fees/Stormwater Utilities* Development Review Fees GEFA Loans In-lieu of Construction Fees SPLOST Federal & State Grants

19. Section III: Six Step Process

20. Stormwater Utility Due Diligence Five Key Areas of Focus: Political Financial Legal Informational Technical Pg ES-4, Guidance for Municipal Stormwater Funding, EPA

21. Six Step Process Step 1: Education & Outreach Step 2: Define/Establish Structure Step 3: Data Compilation Step 4: Rate Structure & Analysis Step 5: Billing & Database Systems Step 6: Ordinance Adoption & Implementation

22. Step 1: Public Education & Outreach A well thought out education and outreach plan can be the key to acceptance of the future program and the success of the future Stormwater Utility. Successful public education and outreach plans engage key stakeholders early in the process and keep them involved throughout. Public Education Strategies: Plan Development Message Delivery Public Meetings Web Based Surveys Newsletters Local Media/Cable TV Phone Bank Civic Organizations

23. Step 2: Define Structure/Organization Utility Director Public Works Director Crew ChiefEngineerGIS AnalystE&S InspectorPlanner Water Resources Field Tech

24. Step 3: Data Compilation Parcel Specific Data Parcel Identification Land Use Existing Utility Database Accounts Parcel Ownership & Address Impervious Surface Coverage

25. Step 3: Data Compilation Data Sources & Repositories Regional Development Centers SAGIS (Savannah Area) Georgia GIS Clearinghouse State University Websites Local Planning Department United States Geologic Survey Other government sources

26. Step 4: Rate Structure & Rate Study Analysis Potential Rate Methodologies Impervious Area* Impervious Area + Gross Area Gross Area/Intensity of Development/Land Use Others Common Rate Modifiers Uniform/Flat Rate (with or w/o Tiers) Water Quality Charge/Factor Typical User Fee Credits Detention Ponds & Structural Controls Onsite Greenspace Green Growth Guidelines/LID * Most Common Rate Methodology Used in Georgia and Nationwide

27. How a Fee is Calculated: Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) = Billing Unit ERU = single-family residential median impervious area Example ERU: Rooftop = 1,400 sqft Driveway = 1,200 sqft Sidewalk = 400 sqft Total ERU = 3,000 sqft

28. How a Fee is Calculated: Non Single Family Residential ERU Calculation = Building Footprint = 10,000 sqft Parking Lot = 14,000 sqft Total Impervious Area = 24,000 sqft ERU = 3,000 sq ft Total ERUs = 24,000sqft/3,000sqft = 8 ERUs

29. How a Fee is Calculated: Credits Building Footprint = 10,000 sqft Parking Lot = 14,000 sqft Total Impervious Area = 24,000 sqft ERU = 3,000 sq ft Total ERUs = 24,000sqft/3,000sqft = 8 ERUs 1 ERU = $4.00/month 8 ERUs = 8 x $4.00 = $32.00/month Credit for Detention = 30% New Bill Amount $22.40/month

30. 3 Residential Tiers How a Fee is Calculated: Residential Tiering 1.0 ERU = 3,000 sqft 0.66 ERU < 2,000 sqft 1.33 ERU > 4,000 sqft

31. Step 5: Billing & Database Systems Three Billing System Options Billing Issues Existing Public Utility Bill* Tax Bill Stand Alone Bill What frequency? Billing database source? Who should receive the bill – the owner or the tenant? Long term database management? Delinquencies? Appeals?

32. Step 6: Ordinance Adoption & Stormwater Utility Implementation Ordinance Adoption Review Available Legal Information Codify Utility Rate Structure Details Technical & Legal Assistance Commence Billing Customer Service Program Credit Applications Implement “Business Plan” Public Outreach Follow Up

33. Section IV: Conclusions and Additional Resources

34. Information & Resources Existing Local Government Stormwater Utility Contacts Additional Web-based Resources Guidance for Municipal Stormwater Funding Stormwater Magazine Georgia Stormwater Management Manual Stormwater Utility Handbook References

35. Now its your turn… Step 1: Program overview: Review Garden City Example: Program Drivers: Future Program COS: Funding Gap:

36. Now its your turn… Step 2: Community Information Population Number of Households Developed Acreage Land Use/Parcels Garden City Example: Population: 11,289 Number of Households: 3,981 Developed Acreage: 14.6 (95%) Land Use/Parcels Single Family Residential = 2953 NSFR = 738 Vacant = 636

37. Now its your turn… Step 3: Estimate the potential revenue based on population. Population Population* $8-$12 = Revenue per $1 of billing unit Garden City Example: Population = 11,289 11,289 * $12 = $135,468 $135,468 * $4.15 = $562,492

38. Now its your turn… Step 3: Estimate the revenue based on the number of households. Households Households * 3 = monthly revenue per 1$ of billing unit Monthly Revenue * 12 = annual revenue per 1$ of billing unit Garden City Example: Households = 3,981 3,981* 3 = $ 11,943 $ 11,943* 12 = $ 143,316 $143,316 * $4.15 = $594,761

39. Now its your turn… Step 3: Estimate the revenue based on the amount of developed acreage. Developed Acreage Square miles *640 = total acreage Total Acreage * percentage of developed acreage = developed acreage Developed Acreage * $25 to $35 = Revenue per $1 of billing unit. Garden City Example: Acreage = 14.6 sq miles (85% developed) 14.6*640 = 9,344 9,344* 85%= 7942.4 8876.8 * $30 = $266,304 $277,984 * $4.15 = $1,105,162

40. Now its your turn… Step 3: Estimate the revenue based on parcel land use. Parcel Land Use SFR * 1 + NSFR * 3 - 10 for Rural Counties or * 10 – 20 for heavily urbanized cities = Monthly revenue per $1 of billing rate Garden City Example: Parcel Land Use SFR = 2953 * 1 = 2953 NSFR = 738 * 20 = 14,760 2,953 + 14,760 = 17,731 17,731 * 12 = $212,556 $212,556 * 4.15 = $882,107

41. Now its your turn… Revenue Method Comparison Population = $562,492 Household = $594,761 Developed Acreage = $1,105,162* Land Use/Parcel = $882,107* Revenue Estimate Variables Garden City Considerations: Heavily urbanized Significantly more commercial and industrial development Small residential base Rate Structure Variations Public Roads and Properties

42. A Few Things to Take With You Set Up & implementation of a Stormwater Utility takes 15 to 24 months – Bet on it! Timing & schedule can be everything Fiscal Year Start Election “Season” Stakeholder involvement = best chance @ success Bad News on set up cost: 2 to 4 months revenue $80,000 to $350,000 Existing data is cheaper than new data Good News on set up cost: Payback potential

43. Where do we go from here to build on what we learned today? Discuss this information with your local government and gauge interest. Perform detailed SWMP Assessment, Quick Concept Study, and/or Funding Feasibility Study. Go forth, and fund your program, but call if you need help!