(A) Rates and charges for the use and availability of the system shall be determined through the use of a base charge and a “Residential Equivalent Factor” (“REF”). For the purposes of this section, one REF is defined as the ratio of the average volume of surface water runoff coming from one acre of land and subjected to a particular use, to the average volume of runoff coming from one acre of land subjected to typical single-family residential use within the city during a standard rainfall event.
(B) (1) In determining charges the City Council shall by resolution establish a basic system rate to be charged against one acre of land having an REF of one. The charge to be made against each parcel of land shall then be determined by multiplying the REF for the parcel’s land use classification times the parcel’s acreage times the basic system rate. The REF’s for the following land uses within the city are as follows:
Land Use | REF |
Parks, cemeteries | 0.70 |
Single-family & duplex residential | 1.00 |
Public and private schools & institutional | 1.30 |
Multiple-family residential | 0.50 per unit |
Highway commercial & churches | 1.70 |
Downtown commercial & industrial | 2.30 |
(2) For the purpose of calculating storm water drainage charges, all developed single-family and duplex parcels shall be considered to have an acreage of 1/4 acre per unit. Duplexes shall be considered to be two units.
(C) Other land uses. Other land uses listed in subsection (B)(1) shall be classified by the City Manager in consultation with the City Engineer by assigning them to classes most nearly like the listed uses, from the standpoint of runoff volume for the standard rainfall event. An appeal from the City Manager’s determination of the property classification may be made to the City Council.
(D) Adjustment of charges. The City Council may by resolution adopt policies providing for the adjustment of charges for parcels or groups of parcels, based upon land use data supplied by affected property owners, which data demonstrates a runoff volume for the standard rainfall event substantially different from the REF being used for the parcel or parcels. The adjustment shall be made only upon recommendation of the Director of Public Works and shall not be made effective retroactively.
(Ord. 305, passed 6-10-2002)