Stormwater Task Force Presents Recomendations to Prepare for the Future
11/13/2007
The Wake County Stormwater Management Task Force (SWMTF) today presented its recommendations and five-year implementation plan to the Wake County Board of Commissioners during its work session. The Task Force, chaired by Commissioner Kenn Gardner, will ask the Board of Commissioners (BOC) to accept nine recommendations to ensure public safety and prepare Wake County for future growth at the regularly scheduled BOC Meeting November 19. Today’s work session was an opportunity for Commissioners to gain in-depth knowledge about the SWMTF recommendations and ask detailed questions prior to the regular Board meeting.
"The Board of Commissioners is constantly working to build Foundations for the Future of Wake County. We plan for transportation, schools, economic development and public safety every day. We must continue to plan for stormwater as well." said Commissioner Kenn Gardner. "I stand behind the Stormwater Task Force and believe accepting its recommendations and implementation plan will position Wake County well as we prepare for future growth."
The BOC formed the SWMTF in August 2005 and charged them with addressing the growth issue of stormwater management. The Task Force was specifically asked to assess stormwater service-levels, identify citizen expectations, recommend a collaborative stormwater program, develop funding recommendations and a County wide implementation plan.
Today, Wake County staff will present Commissioners with nine recommendations and a five-year implementation plan compiled by the SWMTF. If approved, staff will begin implementing the five-year plan immediately. Initial actions will include:
- Creating a model of the stormwater system that focuses on the most critical watersheds and can stand on its own. This will allow Wake County to understand flooding, predict floodplain changes and protect citizens and their homes.
- Identifying construction sites where erosion is likely to occur. Identifying trouble areas will allow staff to prevent erosion and stream pollution.
- Meeting with potential partners to establish interlocal agreements. This will include a common stormwater ordinance that will allow Wake County to minimize future erosion and address flooding so that our watersheds remain healthy as the county grows.
The Task Force is asking that the recommendations be paired with an extensive stormwater education program targeting citizens, businesses and government partners.
"Each of the nine Stormwater Management Task Force recommendations is extremely important," said Gardner. "They must be implemented together and paired with a solid public education program in order to protect our waters and maintain the high quality of life we enjoy in Wake County."
The Task Force is recommending a five-year implementation plan that will cost $7,831,000 over five years. Recommendations will be paid for by user fees, Wake County and all 12 local municipalities as outlined below.
|
Item |
Total, Five-Year Obligation |
Annual Obligation (Average) |
|
Total Cost to Implement |
$7,831,000 |
$1,566,200* |
|
• User Fees (58%) |
$4,501,000 |
$900,200 |
|
• County (33%) |
$2,600,000 |
$520,000 |
|
• Municipalities (9%) |
$730,000 |
$146,000 |
* In 2005, all thirteen jurisdictions (Wake County and 12 municipalities) spent $17,098,000 to operate stormwater programs. An annual obligation of $1,566,200 would be a 9.2% increase over the amount spent in 2005.
The 38-member task force includes representatives from each of Wake County’s municipalities as well as 13 at-large members. The full Stormwater Management Task Force Report and Five-Year Implementation Plan is available online at www.wakegov.com/water/watershed/taskforce.
The resolution accepting the Stormwater Task Force Recommendations and Five-Year Implementation Plan is currently scheduled on the November 19 Board of Commissioners meeting agenda.
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