Storm water board approves increase

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Storm Water Board recently held a public hearing in regard to Ordinance 2014-23, which would amend storm water rates from $1 to $5 per month.

Cloverdale had previously received a $500,000 grant with the town having a match of $125,755 back in April. Following the announcement of the grant, the board chose to implement a resident rate of $1 and a commercial rate of $2 in hopes of creating a more sustainable utility without causing a financial burden on the town's residents. However, with the board choosing to go against both the recommendation of not only its financial adviser Steve Brock, but its grant administrator Kristy Jerrel as well, it created a budget shortfall of $40,858.

After months of discussion and a strong argument from Brock and Jerrel, both noting that future grants for storm water projects requiring that the town have a minimum of a $5 fee or more, the matter went up for reconsideration by the board in August.

With the public making no comments for or against the change during the public hearing, storm water board members quickly voted to approve the rate increase in hopes of creating a more sustainable utility for future projects.

Ordinance 2014-23 will now go in front of the Cloverdale Town Council during its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. If the council chooses to approve it, the rate increase is expected to go into effect beginning in December.