Lynchburg Archives | Draper Aden

January 10, 2013

A well-thought out and thorough stormwater utility program can reap many benefits for a community. In the case of the City of Lynchburg, their first year of stormwater utility fee collections exceed expectations – by $400,000 with a collection rate over 95%. The success of their program can be a model for other localities considering a utility fee – early community involvement, understandable fee structure, and clear billing procedures. Read more about their accomplishments here: http://www.newsadvance.com/news/article_69f931cc-5948-11e2-a418-001a4bcf6878.html...

July 24, 2012

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Stormwater Utility Fee Now a Reality in Lynchburg

Citizens and business owners in the City of Lynchburg are having their first taste of the costs of cleaner stormwater. By paying a stormwater utility fee, property owners are seeing first hand the impact of regulatory changes intended to improve local water quality throughout the region and the Chesapeake Bay. While the new fee may be burdensome to some residents and businesses, this revenue source is one of the few options localities have to fund a sustainable program needed to comply with tightening regulations and truly have a meaningful impact on improving the quality of stormwater runoff reaching our streams, rivers, lakes, and the Bay. Like many localities across Virginia, and the country, Lynchburg is following a trend to implement stormwater utility fees as a means to generate the needed funds. Stormwater utility fees are seen as one of the fairest means to allocate this responsibility among government and property...

November 8, 2011

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Lynchburg Tables Fee, Approves Concept of a Stormwater Utility

[caption id="attachment_523" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Members of City Council (left to right, front) are Ceasor T. Johnson, M.RE., D.D., Ward II Representative; Joan F. Foster, At Large Representative; Michael A. Gillette, Ph.D. Ward I Representative; (2nd row left to right) J. Randolph (Randy) Nelson, At Large Representative; Turner Perrow, Jr., Ward IV Representative; Jeff S. Helgeson, MSFS, Ward III Representative; and Hunsdon "H" Cary, III, At Large Representative."][/caption] I may be beginning to sound like a broken record, but stormwater management is here to stay and the regulations keep coming to prove it! How are municipalities going to afford to meet the requirements of the new (and future) laws and regulations? Increase taxes or impose a fee? Pay through the general fund or a separate utility? Like Lynchburg, many communities, particularly the MS4 permit communities, have already begun the dialogue to implement a stormwater utility fee. These decisions are certainly not easy, and...

May 5, 2011

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Facing the Challenges of a Stormwater Utility

Stormwater utility fees are coming….the ripple effect of the latest USEPA mandates for the Chesapeake Bay watershed is being felt throughout the Commonwealth. With these mandates and future more stringent state and federal regulations on the horizon, municipalities need a source of funding to develop programs and construct projects that control and reduce the volume and quality of stormwater runoff. The process of developing a stormwater utility program and fee structure is a long one, but, as in the City of Lynchburg, these are conversations that need to begin - and soon - with public education as the main focus. As the waves of stormwater regulations pick up speed and momentum, engaging the public early and throughout the program will pay dividends in the future, both politically and for the environment. Storm Water Challenges Vex the City By The News & Advance Published: May 04, 2011 If you want some idea of the result when storm...

Lynchburg Tag

What are the Keys to Implementing a Successful Stormwater Utility?

Stormwater Utility Fee Now a Reality in Lynchburg

Lynchburg Tables Fee, Approves Concept of a Stormwater Utility

Facing the Challenges of a Stormwater Utility