Douglas County Stormwater Utility Rate
***UPDATED May 27, 2026
Given the level of public concern and the importance of maintaining trust in any long-term utility structure, on May 27, 2026 staff recommended in a memo to the Board that the Board of County Commissioners take no action at this time on the following items related to the Stormwater Utility:
- 5.) Discussion regarding the County’s regional roads
- 6.1) 2026 5-Year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Plan Update
- 6.2) Amendment to Appendix B of the Stormwater Master Plan
- 6.3) Adoption of the Critical Lands Conservation, Acquisition, and Management Plan
- 6.4) Amendment to the contract with Financial Consulting Solutions Group, Inc.
- 6.5) Adoption of Ordinance 2026-1670 establishing the Stormwater Utility
- 6.6) Adoption of Resolution 2026R-033 establishing stormwater utility rates
Staff recommended agenda items 5-6.4 be pulled from the agenda and referred back to the staff for future discussion and possible action. Items 6.5 and 6.6 will be read into the record, and public comment will be taken so that the Board and staff may collect additional feedback on the current proposal to help guide the process moving forward.
Staff further recommended the establishment of a Stormwater Utility Task Force.
Click here to review the May 27, 2026 staff memo to the Board.
***UPDATED May 24, 2026
Following significant public feedback regarding the proposed Stormwater Utility rates, County staff will present an additional option for consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at the May 28th meeting aimed at improving fairness, predictability, and public confidence in the program.
The proposed adjustment would eliminate the highest residential rate tier currently included in the draft rate structure and instead cap single-family residential properties at the existing “Large” tier, representing a maximum of 15,000 square feet of impervious surface area for billing purposes. If adopted, rates for a single-family residential ratepayer would be capped at $22.30 per month for all three components of the rate (base, local, and capital surcharge) combined. Click here to view the memo from staff outlining the proposed rate option.