Alexandria City Council unanimously approved moving forward with an increase to the city’s stormwater utility fee yesterday (Tuesday).
City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposal increases the city’s stormwater utility fee rate from $340.30 to $357.40 per billing unit, equating to a roughly $26 addition to tax bills. City Council’s first reading vote sets the ordinance to go before a public hearing on Saturday, April 18, followed by a second reading before Council at its budget adoption meeting on Wednesday, April 29.
The city said in a memo that the increased fee would generate $21.9 million annually to pay for “operating costs and accelerate storm sewer large capacity projects, spot improvements, stream and channel maintenance, and storm sewer maintenance projects.” The increase itself would create $1.1 million in additional revenue.
The city adopted its first stormwater utility fee in 2018 and has pursued increases in recent years to address rampant flooding. The fee ballooned from $140 to $280 in 2021 and to its current rate of $340.30 last year. The fee is billed to residents in two equal installments in May and October.
The city allows residents and condominium associations to apply for a credit of up to 50% off their fee for implementing stormwater reduction, air quality or flood mitigation measures on their properties.
The fee pays for:
- Street sweeping
- Leaf pickup
- The operation and maintenance of public stormwater infrastructure and separate storm sewer system
- Stormwater quality initiatives
- Compliance with the city’s MS4 stormwater permit
- Plan reviews
- Alexandria’s flood management program
