From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
Colorado Springs has spent about $24 million toward $88 million in critical stormwater projects that would reduce the impact of Fountain Creek floods — those that were identified in 2005. Had its City Council not eliminated the stormwater enterprise in 2009, the full amount would have been nearly covered by now, Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace said. Although the city’s priorities have shifted toward new projects, it will continue working on the stormwater needs previously identified, Mayor Steve Bach and City Council President Keith King told Pace in a letter this week.
“Colorado Springs and its enterprises will continue to make substantial progress in high priority stormwater projects in the coming years, and (are) working diligently to design and implement a sustainable funding source and stormwater management structure to complete all the appropriate work,” they wrote. The city is concerned because the sufficiency of stormwater efforts required under Pueblo County’s 1041 permit for Southern Delivery System that have been raised by Pace, along with Commissioners Terry Hart and Liane “Buffie” McFadyen.
Colorado Springs plans to spend $46 million on stormwater projects this year, but much of that is for mitigation of damage caused by the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire, airport drainage and Pikes Peak Highway projects that were not anticipated in 2005. The stormwater enterprise would have spent $17.6 million annually over five years to address the $88 million in critical projects that would reduce the impacts of flooding on Fountain Creek. Two of the projects were completed and $24 million was spent before the stormwater enterprise was dismantled by Council in 2009. Colorado Springs is reviewing its critical needs, and plans to address them, Bach and King said.
Pace plans to meet Monday with Colorado Springs City Council, with eight of the nine members newly elected since council’s decision to discontinue the stormwater enterprise. “They have spent about half of what was intended. Had they not eliminated the stormwater enterprise, they would have spent more,” Pace said. “The letter is positive, because it shows they recognize their obligation.”
From The Colorado Springs Gazette (Monica Mendoza):
The Pikes Peak Regional Stormwater Task Force set out this year to find a way to pay for the $900 million in regional drainage projects detailed in a report released in December. The group of business leaders, city councilors, county commissioners, water district representatives and Colorado Springs Utilities representatives has shortened its list to two funding options: a voter-approved tax or property fees. The task force expects to bring a final recommendation to the Colorado Springs City Council and El Paso County Commissioners in July.
[John Cassiani], who headed up a committee that examined several funding models, is pushing an option modeled after a stormwater authority in Arapahoe County that was formed in 2006 and includes the city, county and area water districts. The group, Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority, sets and collects stormwater fees to pay for construction, operation and maintenance of drainage projects. “The authority is a one-stop shop and responsible for taking care of all the issues,” said Cassiani, owner of RealTech Development. “It manages the programs and hires and contracts.”
In El Paso County, any mention of fees or taxes is risky business. The task force members know the political climate and voters’ reluctance to approve new taxes. In 2009, the Colorado Springs City Council ended a stormwater enterprise fund after voters approved Issue 300, which required the city to phase out payments from city-owned enterprises. But Cassiani thinks it’s time to try again. “We can’t be afraid of certain people in this community,” Cassiani said.[…]
The other model is the Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority, which includes Centennial, Arapahoe County and three water districts. The authority sets and collects fees, has a staff and oversees the projects for the region. Under that model, El Paso County voters would be asked to approve the creation a stormwater authority that has permission to set and collect fees. It’s a model that has more liabilities than the PPRTA model, said County Commissioner Amy Lathen. It would put a great deal of power in the hands of the authority, which would issue permits and be responsible for water quality, development and program management. Attorneys still are reviewing the legal issues of such an organization, she said.