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1. What is stormwater?

Stormwater is rain or melting snow that runs over the land. In nature, most stormwater soaks into the ground where it falls. Excess stormwater moves its way to the nearest river, lake, or wetland. These natural systems provide water storage and prevent flooding. The amount of stormwater increases with more urbanization.

2. What is the stormwater surcharge fee on my bill?

It’s a monthly fee that is charged to persons connected to either municipal water or sanitary systems or both. The owner, occupant, or person who is responsible for the payment of water and/or sewer service shall be jointly and severally responsible for the payment of this surcharge fee. It pays for the City’s current stormwater system and annual maintenance costs. This helps to prevent and correct runoff problems in Kearney. The fee is $1.00 per month for residential properties and $3.00 per month for non-residential properties.

3. Why does the City of Kearney have this fee?

The City of Kearney is required by state and federal regulations to maintain a Stormwater Management Plan that meets parameters of a federal permit system. This Stormwater Management Plan has multiple programs within it, each covering a form of stormwater pollution prevention. Each of these programs requires time, effort, and funding to be kept active and productive.

4. What will the stormwater surcharge fee be used for?

The money will be used to help manage and upgrade the municipal separate storm sewer system infrastructure, such as curb inlets and storm pipe, so that it continues to meet current regulations. It will be used to cover some of the expenses associated with incorporating the Stormwater Management Plan and its permit required programs. The first few years of the program will center on the following activities:
• Design and construction of stormwater capital projects including retrofits. This includes projects on City owned properties.
• Coordination of pollution reduction efforts including staff training, pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices for municipal operations, illicit discharge detection and elimination program, and public education and outreach.
• Maintenance and operation of City-owned stormwater drainage and stormwater treatment facilities.
There are other expenses this fee does not yet cover, such as street sweeping activities (last year our 3 street sweepers removed over 3,000 cubic yards of debris from the streets) and VacCon activities (for ensuring the 4,000 curb inlets and 100 miles of pipe are free of obstruction).

5. Why are we being charged this fee now?

Until this fee, the City did not have dedicated funding for stormwater management and its stormwater infrastructure. Prior to this fee the funds were being used from the General Fund and the Transportation Fund.

6. Can the fee be used to fund other City programs like Social Services or the Public Library?

No. The Stormwater Utility Fee provides dedicated revenue for the City stormwater management program.

7. Will revenues be spent throughout the City of Kearney?

The Stormwater Management Plan is implemented city-wide. The revenue will be used exclusively for stormwater system services within the City of Kearney.

8. Why do I have to pay when I do not have any drainage problems?

Everyone in the city benefits from the Stormwater Management Plan. If stormwater runs off your property, the City must have a program and funding to manage the increase in runoff and pollutants.

9. Who can I contact about stormwater issues?

Emails can be sent to stormwater@kearneygov.org. Also, feel free to call 308-233-3273 if you have any questions.

City ordinance No. 8127 has a lot of good information about the stormwater surcharge. You can find the Municipal Code at www.cityofkearney.org.

The City of Kearney has more information in the Stormwater Management section of the Public Works Department located at www.cityofkearney.org. Stormwater Management