The Town of Windsor completed an update to the town’s Storm Drainage Master Plan in September, resulting in an increase in stormwater fees and rates beginning January 2018.
“The Storm Drainage Master Plan is a tool that guides decisions relating to stormwater management within town limits, including stormwater drainage infrastructure development and maintenance, flood protection improvements, and water quality,” said Director of Engineering Dennis Wagner.
The Storm Drainage Master Plan had not been updated since its adoption in 2003. In the update process, the consultant re-evaluated future improvements outlined in the plan, aligning future efforts with current and anticipated needs.
“In 2003, the estimated cost for future projects in the master plan was $15.6 million over 30 years,” said Wagner. “After updating the study, the cost of implementing identified projects increased to $35.7 million over 30 years.”
In order to provide for anticipated infrastructure needs, the Water and Sewer Board recommended an increase in stormwater fees and rates, and the Town Board approved in September.
The Monthly Basin User Fee is collected on each developed lot or parcel of land in Windsor and appears on the Town of Windsor utility bill. It consists of two parts:
- Operation & Maintenance – Funds the operation, maintenance, and administration of existing Town of Windsor stormwater drainage facilities. For this part, a base fee of $2.20 is added to a square footage rate.
- Basin Improvement – A square footage rate that supports capital improvements for stormwater facilities.
To make drainage fees equitable, the surface area and percent of impervious surface of each property is used in calculating the fee.
On the January bill, received the first week in February, Windsor stormwater customers will see Operation & Maintenance Rate increase from $0.09 to $0.20 per thousand square feet, and the Basin Improvement Rate will increase from $0.46 to $0.72 per thousand square feet. The $2.20 Operation & Maintenance base rate remains unchanged.
For a 6,600-square-foot residential lot in Windsor, the total Monthly Basin User Fee will increase from $3.65 to $4.63.
“While these are relatively small increases,” Wagner said, “They will help provide for Windsor’s infrastructure needs into the future.”
For more information, call 970-674-2400.