In 2020, the City initiated a cost of service and rate study for the Stormwater Utility. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of revenue needed to fund the Stormwater program. Stormwater rates had remained static for decades, and the utility had to defer important capital improvement projects because the current fees did not generate enough revenue to pay for the necessary operations, maintenance and regulatory monitoring to proactively service the system, prevent flooding, and ensure that the stormwater flowing to the local creeks is clean.

Prior to the passage of the fee initiative in 2021, the Storm Drainage fee was a combination of the Storm Sewer Fee and the Storm Drainage Fee, which were charged by property type, as a flat rate charged per square foot of the parcel.

Fee Report

Details on the fees, including the equations used to calculate fees for each land use category, can be found in the Fee Report.  

Note: For non-residential parcels, the calculation of the stormwater fee involves the percentage of impervious area (%IA) as determined for the property type, in addition to the single family equivalent (SFE) per parcel/acre. To calculate the rate for a property, the Fee Report should be consulted.

The City prepared answers to frequently asked questions related to the 2021 stormwater utility rate adjustment ballot measure.

Stormwater Measure Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

On May 17, 2021 the City mailed out ballots to property owners to vote on the proposed stormwater rate adjustments, approved by Council on December 15, 2020. The ballots were due to the City Clerk by June 25, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.  Ballot Information Guide (PDF)

The ballot tabulation was conducted on Monday, June 28, 2021, by representatives from the City’s consultant, SCI Consulting, the City Clerk, and city staff. The results of the tabulation are as follows:

The City held four virtual community meetings to provide additional opportunities for the public to receive information and provide input regarding the stormwater protection system in Davis. Each meeting covered the same material, followed by a question-and-answer session. You may view recordings of the meetings below:

Community Meeting #1: March 24, 2021

Questions and Answers from the First Community Presentation (PDF)

Community Meeting #2: March 30, 2021

Questions and Answers from the Second Community Presentation (PDF)

Community Meeting #3: April 8, 2021

Questions and Answers from the Third Community Presentation (PDF)

Community Meeting #4: April 24, 2021

Utilities Commission Meetings 

May 20, 2020

Stormwater Cost of Service Study – Process and Timeline Presentation. (This is a presentation only)

Recommendation: Informational Item.  Receive presentation from SCI Consulting Group on the challenges of the Proposition 218 process for the Stormwater Utility; discussion of the additional efforts in place for customer and stakeholder outreach; possible rate structures and discussion of next steps, including the introduction of the financial plan. 

June 17, 2020

Stormwater Cost of Service Study – Financial Plan Introduction.

Recommendation: Informational Item.  Introduction to the development of the financial plan for the Stormwater Utility for current and future projections on revenue and costs of service for use in the rate setting phase of the cost of service study.  Receive presentation from SCI Consulting Group on financial plan development and key areas for discussion. 

Also included in the meeting:

• Introduction Memo from Staff
• Stormwater Budget Summary
• Capital Improvement Projects
• Technical Memo from Larry Walker Associates
• Stormwater Evaluation Report

July 15, 2020

Stormwater Cost of Service Study – Financial Plan Discussion Continued, Introduction to Rate Scenarios. (This is a presentation only)

Recommendation: Informational Item.  Continued discussion on the financial plan for the Stormwater Utility for current and future projections on revenue and costs of service, introduction to the rate setting phase of the cost of service study.  Receive presentation from SCI Consulting Group on rate setting development, scenarios and key areas for discussion. 

September 16, 2020

Stormwater Cost of Service Study – Capital Improvement Projects, Regulatory and Operations & Maintenance Additional Resources, and Outreach Plan.  

Recommendation: Informational Item. Resume staff-only discussion of the Stormwater Cost of Service study, including a review of requested information from the Commission meeting on July 15, 2020 with additional material from staff on capital improvement project prioritization, regulatory requirements and outreach. Rate scenario discussions and presentations from SCI Consulting Group will resume in October.

• Capital Improvement Projects
• Regulatory Requirements and Operations and Maintenance Additions
• Outreach

October 21, 2020

Stormwater Cost of Service Study - Rate Scenarios.

Recommendation: Informational Item/Action Item. Continued discussion on the rate scenarios for the Stormwater Utility. Receive presentation from SCI Consulting Group on rate setting development, scenarios and key areas for discussion. Consider recommendation to City Council on Stormwater rates.

• Stormwater Fee Report

All of the meeting packets and packet materials are posted online here: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/commissions-and-committees/utilities-commission/agendas

The City Council reviewed the Stormwater Cost of Service Study and approved the recommended rate adjustments on December 15, 2020.

Stormwater Utility Cost of Service and Rate Study; Initiation of City Stormwater Utility Fee Proposition 218 Process

Recommendation:

1. Receive Stormwater Fee Report and presentation from SCI Consulting Group and city staff on the Stormwater Utility cost of service study and development of rate recommendations
2. Provide direction to staff on CPI banking recommendation from SCI Consulting, to incorporate into second presentation on recommended Stormwater Utility rates
3. Approve Resolution Declaring Intention to Initiate a Proceeding to Obtain Approval of the City’s Stormwater Fee, a Property-Related Fee Conforming to Article XIII, Section 6 of the State Constitution
4. Approve Resolution Adopting Ballot Procedures for the City’s Proposed Stormwater Fee

May 4, 2021

Stormwater Utility Fee Protest Hearing

Recommendation:

1. Conduct final count of written protests, including any written protests submitted prior to the close of the public hearing, and determine if there is a majority protest
2. If no majority protest exists, approve Resolution Finding That a Majority Protest Does Not Exist and Directing a Property Owner Ballot Proceeding for the City’s Stormwater Fee, a Property-Related Fee Conforming to Article XIII D, Section 6 of the California Constitution
3. Provide guidance to staff on the voting of City Stormwater fee ballots 08 Stormwater Utility Fee Protest Hearing

July 6, 2021

Certification of Tabulation Results for Stormwater Fee

Recommendation: Approve Resolution Accepting the Tabulation Results for the City’s Stormwater Fee, a Property-Related Fee Conforming to Article XIII D, Section 6 of the California Constitution

May 10, 2022

Updates to Chapter 30 of the Davis Municipal Code Updating Stormwater Rates 

Recommendation:

1. Receive report on the revisions to Chapter 30 of the City’s Municipal Code (Stormwater Management and Discharge Control)
2. Introduce Ordinance Amending Chapter 30 of the City of Davis Municipal Code Related to the Stormwater Rates (as approved by City Council, July 2021)

May 24, 2022

Second Reading: Ordinance Amending Chapter 30 of the City of Davis Municipal Code Related to the Stormwater Rates

Recommendation: Adopt (Introduced 5/10/22)

Council meetings are also recorded, and those recordings are posted here: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/city-council/city-council-meetings/meeting-videos