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February 3, 2012

City proposes storm water fee

Seasonal flooding a contributing factor to the city’s storm water drainage issues

Salesha Wilken Staff Reporter

CLAREMORE — City officials presented the city council with a proposed storm water fee this week to fund future projects to deal with flooding issues.

“I am proposing a storm water fee, defined as fee collected for the purpose for repairing and maintaining the city’s storm water infrastructure and continuing the compliance with Department of Environmental Quality storm water programs,” said Jeremy Ledbetter Superintendent Public Infrastructure

The proposal included different methods to acquire the fee including adding a set monthly fee to each citizen’s electric bill. Other options were based on water usage or property size and the relationship size places to water runoff.

A flat rate is the best choice proving the least impact and still allowing us to accomplish our goals, according to Ledbetter

After a brief discussion the preferred method was determined to be a set monthly fee. The estimated fee would be $5 for each household and $30 for each business in the city limits.

The issue of storm water became prevalent after the extreme flooding that occurred during the spring of 2011.

 “As most of you are aware this past year we passed a master drainage study. Because there were homes being flooded, there were stranded vehicles and obviously it was serious risk of life and property,” said Ledbetter.

He listed  areas in order of priority, the Cat Creek Basin, Downtown Basin, Florence, North and South Verdigris River tributaries, Dog Creek and Hunter’s Trail. There were $29.5 million in recommend improvements.

“We spent approximately $350,000 on this study so now it is time to get it implemented,” he said.

The council did agree there is a need and they discussed the best way to pay for the improvements.

To complicate the issue, council members raised concerns about how to provide the necessary funding. Five-year budget plans for the city project on $50,000 to be dedicated to the necessary infrastructure.

Suggestions from the council included selling surplus property owned by the city to pay for the improvements.

Emergency responders and management officials are working with the city to find a solution.

“Flooding is still the number one disaster in Oklahoma,” said Bob Anderson, Rogers County Emergency Management director. “I am in favor of some means of providing storm water management.”

During the flooding of 2008 there were some areas in Claremore that emergency responders were unable to respond to for a period of time due to the high water, according to Anderson.

The issue and proposal is under discussion and the council has not made a decision at this time.

For more information contact city hall at (918) 341-1325.

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