MSD Rate Commission News Release–Hearings To Be Held to Get Public Input on Proposed MSD Rate to Fund Stormwater Capital Improvement Program
The MSD (Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District) Rate Commission has announced a series of public hearings designed to get input from residents in St. Louis City and County on a stormwater capital improvement program. MSD has identified approximately 500 localized flooding and erosion issues in their service area, and they have developed a funding solution to provide much-needed stormwater services to the community.
These improvements would be funded by a Stormwater Capital Rate that MSD has proposed to its independent Rate Commission. Public hearings will be held throughout the metro area to provide customers the opportunity to learn more about the proposed rate and to provide feedback to the Commission. There also will be a live streamed meeting for those who wish to attend online. Participants may pose questions via Facebook or Twitter.
“As an independent body representing a broad cross-section of MSD customers, the Rate Commission wants as much public feedback as possible on the rate proposal,” said Leonard Toenjes, chair of the Rate Commission. “These hearings are designed to allow for convenient public attendance and online participation. We want every seat filled, and every voice heard.”
Public Hearings are scheduled on these dates:
· 6 p.m. (South County) Tuesday, May 8, Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S. Lindbergh
· 6 p.m. (North County) Tuesday, May 15, City of Bridgeton Recreation Center, 4201 Fee Fee Road
· 6 p.m. (West County) Thursday, May 17, Manchester Parks, Recreation and Arts Center, 359 Old Meramec Station Road
· 6 p.m. (West-Central County) Tuesday, May 22, Maryland Heights Community Center, 2300 McKelvey Road
· 1 p.m. (Online) Wednesday, May 30, Streaming Live at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/NwgvA8RkuDN Participants joining this meeting online, may post comments and ask questions via Facebook @msdratecommission and Twitter @RateCommission
· 6 p.m. (St. Louis City) Wednesday, June 6, Forest Park Visitor Center, 5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park
· 9 a.m. (St. Louis City) Friday, June 29, MSD Administrative Office, 2350 Market Street
If approved, the proposed Stormwater Capital Rate would raise $30 million annually toward addressing presently unfunded stormwater issues in the metropolitan area. Under the proposal, MSD customers would pay based upon the amount of impervious area on their property, surfaces such as concrete, blacktop, and the footprint of a home or building, that do not absorb water. Everyone contributes to these problems through runoff from their property. MSD projects the average charge for a single-family home would be $2.25 a month.
MSD’s independent Rate Commission has up to 165 days to review the funding proposal and provide its recommendation to MSD’s Board of Trustees. To assist with its review, the Rate Commission uses rate experts, legal counsel, and other technical experts. As part of the review process, the Rate Commission will host the public hearings to hear public feedback about the proposed Stormwater Capital Rate.
Once the Rate Commission makes its recommendation to the MSD Board of Trustees, they may approve, modify, or reject the proposal. If the Board of Trustees approves the recommendation, final implementation of the Stormwater Capital Rate would be dependent on voter approval which could be on the ballot as early as April 2019.
For more information on the Stormwater Capital Rate Proposal and the MSD Rate Commission, visit www.stlmsd.com/ratecommission.