Stormwater Utility Case Studies (cont.)

In 1991, the Charlotte City Council and the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners created a citizen's Task Force to develop a comprehensive stormwater management program. Private engineering firms were retained to determine the extent of existing drainage problems, develop a stormwater master plan, conduct drainage system inventories, conduct a very detailed cost of service and program planning studies, and design a public information plan. Initial planning also included reports on database and billing system development, fee schedule studies and technical reviews.

Before the 1992 City Council vote creating the stormwater utility, City and County staff activated a multi-faceted public awareness campaign. This involved a speakers' bureau, workshops for the public and news media, brochures, fliers, and monthly newsletters. The goal was to explain the need for the utility, create awareness of stormwater problems, describe solutions to those problems and educate people about the stormwater fee.

When the City Council held an official public hearing in May 1992 on the stormwater fees, only ten people spoke. Likewise, only a handful of citizens raised questions or concerns when the Mecklenburg County Commission held a public hearing in 1993 before it approved stormwater fees.

One Utility or Two?

The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County provide a fully coordinated stormwater management program. Interlocal Agreements outline distinct roles and responsibilities of the County, the City and the six Towns in the area.

The County is responsible for the Major System (streams having a watershed greater than one square mile.) The City of Charlotte and six surrounding towns are responsible for the Minor Systems (streams and drainage systems with a watershed of less than one square mile) within each jurisdiction. The Board of County Commissioners must approve any fee increases to fund a municipality's Minor System.

The utility has a joint name: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services. There is a single billing system, one logo and a unified public education effort. Differing local ordinances were revised to be more consistent with one another. One countywide citizens' advisory panel was created to guide public policy on stormwater issues in various jurisdictions within Mecklenburg County. By coordinating efforts, the utility seeks to reduce duplication of services and provide seamless customer service. This arrangement complies with state law requiring the "operations of a single stormwater system in Mecklenburg County."

The single utility is operated by two separate agencies with separate budgets, functions and management. Capital improvement costs are higher inside the Charlotte City limits, so the City's stormwater fees are higher.

< previous page | next page >