How Much Will the New Storm Water Utility Fee Cost Johnston Residents Starting in July?

Johnston residents can expect to pay at least a $4.55 a month, or $54.60 a year, for the storm water utility starting in July.

On Monday, the Johnston City Council approved a creating a fee to pay for storm-water upgrades and construction in the city.

The ordinance, which had several public hearings and input meetings, creates a fee of $4.55 per ERU for Johnston residents.

An ERU, equivalent residential unit, is comprised of 4,000 square feet of impervious space on the propety, including sheds and driveways.

Each resident can expect to pay at least one ERU, but larger properties could pay more. The council capped the number of residential ERUs to 4.

Commercial properties will pay the same fee, but are capped at 40 ERUs.

Initially, the fee was figured at $4.75 per ERU. However, council determinted to not exempt govermental properties including schools, churches and other non-profit organizations. By including those properties and changing interest rates city staff was able to drop the rate to $4.55 per ERU.

City staff will now work to determine each Johnston property's ERU and send notificiation on an upcoming water bill.