A. Legislative findings. The Village Council finds:
1. That all real property in the Village contributes to runoff and either uses or benefits from the maintenance of the stormwater system;
2. That, in order to provide an effective and long term approach to stormwater management within the Village, it is necessary to provide an adequate and stable revenue stream for the construction, maintenance, operation and improvement of the Village of Winnetka stormwater system; and
3. That it is in the best interests of the health, safety and general welfare of the Village, its residents and property owners, that the Village of Winnetka stormwater system be operated as a municipal utility that is funded through user fees.
B. Statement of policy.
1. It is the policy of the Village of Winnetka to provide a dedicated funding source for the construction, maintenance, operation and improvement of stormwater facilities in the Village, so that the Village is able to proactively manage stormwater for the benefit of all residents and owners of real property within the Village.
2. It is the policy of the Village of Winnetka that, except as provided in this chapter, the owner or owners of any real property in the Village that uses or benefits from the Village's stormwater system be charged a stormwater utility fee, whether or not the owner or parcel is exempt from taxation.
C. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a stormwater utility to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Village of Winnetka from damage to property and local waterways from stormwater runoff and floods, through the construction and operation of flood reduction and control facilities, and through water quality management and floodplain management. It is also the purpose of this chapter to provide an effective and long-term approach to stormwater management within the Village by identifying and providing an adequate and stable funding source for stormwater management. (Ord. MC-2-2014 § 2, 2014)