A stormwater service charge shall be assessed to each and every lot and parcel of land within corporate limits of the City that is tributary directly or indirectly to the stormwater conveyance system of the City and the owner thereof that contains impervious area. The stormwater service charge is based on the usage of the stormwater conveyance system by each property. This charge is not related to the water and/or sewer service and does not rely on occupancy of the premises to be in effect, and is therefore assessed for all properties with impervious surface, in the amount determinable as follows: For any such property, lot, parcel of land, building or premises that is tributary directly or indirectly to the stormwater conveyance system of the City, such charge shall be based upon the quantity of impervious area situated thereon. All properties having impervious area within the City will be assigned an equivalent residential unit (ERU) or a multiple thereof, with all properties of having impervious area receiving at least one ERU.
(a) Residential Properties. All residential properties will be assigned one ERU per assigned physical address. Any Condominium or HOA commonly owned property with a separate physical address will be assigned a single ERU. A flat rate service charge will apply to all residential properties, unless the property is undeveloped. See Adjustment Mechanism, Section 920.47(b).
(b) Nonresidential Properties. Nonresidential properties will be assigned an ERU multiple based upon the properties' individually measured impervious area (in square feet) divided by 2,900 square feet (1 ERU). This division will be calculated to the first decimal place and rounded according to mathematical convention.
(c) Base Rate. City Council shall, by resolution, establish the base rate for the stormwater utility service charge. The base rate shall be calculated to ensure adequate revenues to fund the expenditures of stormwater management and to provide for the operation, maintenance, and capital improvements of the stormwater conveyance system within the City limits.
(d) The rate established by City Council for each ERU within the City of Mount Vernon is four dollars ($4.00) per month for Calendar Year 2020; five dollars ($5.00) per month for Calendar Year 2021; and six dollars ($6.00) per month for Calendar Year 2022 and thereafter, unless and until said rate is changed by majority vote of City Council. Collection of the fee shall begin July 1, 2020. This rate is intended to eventually fully fund the City's stormwater maintenance and operation program as well as partially fund the City's Roads and Bridges Fund related to stormwater.
(e) An analysis of rates shall be performed during even years, starting in 2022 to compare revenue projections with anticipated expenditures. Council shall review and approve the analysis in that year, prior to authorizing an increase.
(Ord. 2019-35. Passed 11-12-19.)