Jefferson City may be adding a storm water utility fee to fund services to repair and maintain the failing infrastructure.
City Council held a storm water utility discussion Monday night to determine the urgency of better storm water services and how they may be funded.
Floods in August and September caused damage to at least 40 buildings and homes in Jefferson City, and there were flash floods on various streets.
Multiple residents told the council they have spent thousands of dollars on property repairs due to flooding.
Some residents spent up to $35,000 repairing basements and yards that were filled with several feet of water.
Currently, the city spends a $360,000 allotment of sales tax on storm water services each year. This only allows for a minimal level of storm and flood water services. Jefferson City Department of Public Works director Matt Morasch says residents have expressed that they want something done about the problem quickly.
“The main way to do that is additional funding; put more money into that program. So that’s why we’re talking about a way to do that, and that’s fair and equitable to everyone,” Morasch says. “All people that live in the city are contributing to the storm water runoff.”
Morasch says they have come up with a $2 million annual-need plan, which would be implemented as a $3 to $4 dollar increase on utility bills. With this plan they would be able to start knocking out some of these projects.
Morasch says that spot repairing all of the flood damages incrementally would cost about $15 million, but he says the cost has probably increased a few million dollars since the last time they have looked at it.
Council members say they worry that the number will go up even more if there are floods in spring 2017.
Morasch says his goal is to move from the minimal services they have now to one that could address flood resilient creeks and rivers, sustainable storm water collection maintenance, bridge and culvert replacement, and improvements in water quality.
“It sounds like from the tone of this meeting the council would like to see something on the ballot,” Morasch says. “Then of course it’s up to the whole electorate, not just the people in this room.”
Missouri requires a vote from the electorate to enact a storm water utility fee. The city council members say they hope to have one written for the next ballot in April.
