Storm Water Utility Passes First Reading, How Much Could it Cost Johnston Residents?

A storm water utility in the City of Johnston is closer to reality after the Johnston City Council approved the first reading of the ordinance on Monday.

Johnston residents can expect to pay at least a $4.55 a month, or $54.60 a year, for the storm water utility starting later this year if City Council passes two more readings of the ordinance.

After , or input meetings, and several revisions, a version of the utility passed by a 3-1 vote on Monday.

Councilman Matt Brown voted no on establishing the utility fee after a motion to do away with a commercial business cap failed. Councilman Gerd Claybaugh was absent from the meeting.

The storm water utility will function much like other city utilities, such as water, which are billed monthly.

The will provide a dedicated fund for upcoming storm water improvements and construction in the city.

The utility is configured using an average equivalent residential unit, or ERU.

One unit would be equivalent to 4,000 square feet of solid surface area, including driveways, sheds and other structures on a property.

Each residential property in Johnston can expect to pay at least one ERU per month. Property owners could pay for additional ERUs depending on the size of their property.

Each unit would generate an $4.55 on a monthly bill, with no annual increase. The council will review the utility each year, however, to determine if increases are needed.

Residential properties will be subject to a four ERU cap, while commercial properties will be subject to a 40 ERU cap.

The issue of capping ERUs for commercial businesses was a point of contention during Monday's meeting.

Councilman John Temple made a motion to amend the cap on commercial businesses from 40 to 80 ERU, adjusting the unit rate to $4.30.

"I think it gives an incentive for larger companies to conserve," he said.

Matt Brown said he was opposed to the cap, as all properties should share in the utility. Brown voted against the ordinance because of the cap placed on commercial businesses.

Councilman Tom Cope was against increasing the cap.

"The cap keeps us economically competitive with other cities in the area," he said. "We added schools and ourselves, initially 40 caps doesn't put the burden on schools."

Initially, the utility exempted governmental properties including schools, churches and other non-profit entities. Those areas were later added to the utility and the fee dropped from $4.75 to $4.55 per ERU.

The utility was set to begin in July. City staff will determine and notify residents of their ERU and expected rate on monthly water bills.