According to agenda documents, the fee changes went into effect Nov. 1 for both residential and nonresidential drainage accounts. The increase will help reduce hazards caused by flood events, city staff said.
"The $8 would fund the current operational improvements to provide additional crew to help maintain our current drainageways ... as well as making small improvements throughout the city," Schertz's Director of Finance James Walters said.
The background
According to agenda documents, the fee has been $5.20 per month since 2013.
Recently, staff tasked Willdan financial consulting services to review current Schertz drainage services and finances, recommending a five-year rate plan wherein the city would have a drainage rate of $15 per month by 2029.
Due to the fee jump recommended by Willdan, city staff only recommended the first year increase, according to agenda documents.
The options
According to Willdan's drainage fee study, the company recommended two scenarios, either increases to the monthly charges or a change to charging customers based on the impervious surface area, or ISA, of their properties. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, impervious surface are surfaces like pavement and streets that prevent water from soaking into the ground, forcing more runoff into sewers.
City staff recommended a change in price to residents and businesses under the current system, not changing the system based on ISA.
Offering input
Council member Paul Macaluso asked about the fees increasing above the state average. Deputy City Manager Brian James said this is because of Schertz's status of having more drainage than other communities, as well as providing a higher level of service than neighbors.
"As we've gone and talked to other folks, with the exception of San Marcos, there hasn't been a community that's really embraced it. ... Frankly, I think in a lot of cases, it's an issue that's pushed to the side," James said.
Council member Allison Heyward said that despite the fee going up, dealing with the Schertz flood area will have to be on the onus of the city.
"Where we sit in those areas and different [parts of] Guadalupe and Bexar, we're not going to get any assistance from them any time soon I think, just based on where we are. ... I think this is what helps us get where we need to be, so that we're not dealing with some issues later when it rains," Heyward said.
Schertz resident Bob Jameson questioned why rates were increasing if the area does not see much rain. Jameson also said residents should not be held accountable for outside factors.
"Schertz residents are not the purveyors of concrete and macadam. That's what caused stormwater runoff. Therefore, why aren't the developers paying for it instead of it being pushed off on the citizens?" Jameson said.
James said drainage operations are important when heavy rain events do occur, such as flooding that hit Central Texas in July.
"This is just one of those areas that communities aren't dealing with until it really becomes a problem, and it's an area that we found that we've needed to step into," James said.
