The purpose of the Stormwater Financing Study is to gain a better understanding of the City’s current stormwater system, conduct a preliminary needs assessment and develop a recommended future stormwater system financing strategy.
The City’s current stormwater program uses the sewer surcharge, grants and development charges to fund the operational, maintenance and capital improvement costs associated with the storm sewer system. This current funding methodology does not meet the growing capital funding needs and does not provide incentives to property owners to limit the amount of stormwater run-off they create, and therefore is not sustainable in the future.
A well designed stormwater fee can give developers and property owners an economic incentive to reduce the runoff from their property. Stormwater fees provide a dedicated, stable, fair and equitable funding source.
Phase 1 of the Stormwater Financing project, the Study Stage, is currently underway. Phase 2, the Implementation Stage, will proceed upon completion of the Study and at the direction of City Council. Information on the project phasing is provided below.
Phase 1 – Study Stage (Current Stage)
Consultant, Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions along with sub-consultant, Watson & Associates Economist Ltd., were retained in December 2018 (Request for Proposal No. 144-18) to undertake the Stormwater Financing Study which includes the following scope of work:
- Develop an understanding of the City’s existing and future stormwater infrastructure programs and needs, including the desired level of service.
- Determine the cost of services for delivering both the existing program and future program.
- Investigate a variety of financing strategies and mechanisms, which will result in funding strategy recommendations developed specifically for the City of Windsor.
- Develop a Final Report to summarize findings and recommendations.
At the completion of the Study, project findings and recommendations will be presented to City Council for direction on next steps and potential implementation of a funding strategy.
Phase 2 – Implementation Stage (Future Stage)
A subsequent phase of the Project may be initiated (Phase 2) to develop a strategy to implement the Council approved recommendations. The scope of this phase is dependent on the results of the Study and the specific direction received from Council.