PSB Approves $60 Million Budget, 8% Increase to Stormwater Fee

The Public Service Board approved its $60 million dollar budget Wednesday. It includes an 8% increase in the stormwater fee paid by homeowners and businesses.

Christina Montoya, El Paso Water Utilities Vice President, tells ABC-7 this is the first time the Stormwater Utility has increased its fee since it was created in 2008.

Initially, the utility hoped to raise $22 million over six years to build flood control projects in El Paso. It was only able to raise $16 million.

“We reduced the rates for customers when they came forward and said, ‘this is too much,'” said Montoya, “we also had some school districts and some other entities that went to the Texas legislature and requested an exemption from paying stormwater fees.”

By raising its stormwater fee rate, the water utility will be able to borrow money, with the approval of El Paso City Council, to pay for flood control projects.

The new 8% rate will go into effect March 1, 2015.

According to El Paso Water Utilities, the owner of a small home will now pay $1.61 a month instead of $1.49.

The owner of an average El Paso home will now pay $3.21 a month instead of $2.97 and the owner of a large home will now pay $6.42 instead of the current $5.94 monthly fee.

Businesses currently pay a $3.03 stormwater fee for every 2,000 square feet of impervious ground on their property. Once the increase goes into effect, businesses will pay $3.27.

In addition to new flood control projects, the extra revenue generated by the fee increase will also pay for maintenance on existing infrastructure and debt service.

“What a lot of people don’t understand is we do have crews who go out and clean out existing channels and ponds year-round,” said Montoya, “that is all considered ongoing maintenance.”