Town Council

Town of Summerville Special Called Council Meeting Summerville Municipal Complex 200 South Main Street - Council Chambers, Third Floor Thursday, August 30 - 1:00pm AGENDA 1. Call to order 2. Public comments 3. Discussion of 2019 millage rate 4. Discussion of stormwater fees 5. Discussion of health insurance 6. Mayor’s Remarks 7. Discussion of Council Budget Retreat 8. Adjourn  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Property Taxes Collected 11,885,792 10,670,540 10,962,399 11,211,540 11,527,299 Millage 62.4 62.4 61.9 61.0 60.5 Appraised 200,000 200,000 200,000 200,000 *.04 *.04 *.04 *.04 Assessed 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 0.0624 0.0619 0.061 0.0605 Taxes pd $499.20 $495.20 $488.00 $484.00 4.00 7.20 7.20 4.00 4.00 Residental Savings $4.00 $11.20 $15.20 95,784 95,784 177,707 177,707 102,018 Loss Revenue 95,784 273,491 375,509 1 Police Officer 2 Police Officers 3 Police Officers 1 Firefighter 2 Firefighters 3 Firefighters 1 Dispatcher 1 Dispatcher  Millage and Fees GF = General Fund; SW = Stormwater; FB = General Fund ‐ Fund Balance Requested Expenditures $40,404,888 General Fund Revenues $35,499,433 Reduction $4,905,455 22 6 New Employees Requested (GF) (SW) 12 6 New Employees Budgeted (GF) (SW) COLA Considered 3% $645,603 COLA Budgeted 2% $430,402 Current Annual Stormwater Fee Per $1,125,797 $4.00/mo. Household (2018 est. rev.) Budgeted Stormwater Fee per $1,675,323 $6.00/mo. Household (2019 est. rev.) Longevity Funds Requested $500,000 Longevity Funds Budgeted $339,616 Current Millage 60.5 Budgeted Millage 63.92  REQUEST FOR STORMWATER FEE INCREASE  In 2007, the Stormwater fee was increased from $3/month to $4/month totaling $48 per year. In 2009, Stormwater revenue was approximately $983,000. As of 2017, the revenue has increased to $1,085,939 for an overall increase of $102,939. There has been a significant amount of growth within the city limits from 2009 to present. The additional revenue is inadequate to offset the work load created by the additional properties. The added work load comes not only from the additional home sites impervious surfaces, debris, and sediment runoff, but also the strain it puts on the existing systems as well.  As the remaining undeveloped lots in and around the “Historic District” become divided and developed it continually puts additional strain on existing drainage systems. These small lots fall below the minimum requirements of the Federal Stormwater regulations. Areas, such as these, will require re‐engineering and new stormwater construction to correct this inundation of flood water. These projects will require both time and money that we do not currently have.  As we all know, the cost of necessary equipment, materials, and supplies have increased considerably since 2007. Over the past 11 years, cost of living raises continue to increase salaries. The fact that we are operating from a relatively closed source fund means that without a significant increase in funding we will have to reduce the amount of service we provide to the public. At some point, we will have to cut positions in order to remain within the budget.  In order to continue providing excellent service to the citizens of Summerville it will require an additional $2/month per ERU (Equivalent residential unit).  Local Municipal Stormwater Fees: o The City of Columbia $11.80/month o The City of Charleston $8.00/month o Charleston County $6.00/month o Folly Beach $6.00/month o The City of Mt. Pleasant $6.00/month o The City of N. Charleston $6.00/month o The Town of Summerville $4.00/month  MAINTENANCE DIVISION o Since 2009, the Stormwater department has doubled the number of recorded ditches maintained on an annual basis. The total length of ditches to be cleaned and cut by hand has increased from 20 miles to over 41 miles. This task is currently performed by a five‐man crew that can only achieve one complete cycle of this routine maintenance per year. o By adding three additional people in the maintenance division of the Stormwater department, our crews will be doubled. This addition would allow us to improve preventative maintenance on our drainage systems. o The accumulation of debris in a drainage system is probably the number one preventable cause of isolated flooding. With over 40 miles of ditches to maintain, debris removal can consume a considerable amount of time. o The maintenance on these systems is a key factor in preventing flooding during heavy rain events. The annual cost to add three positions (maintenance supervisor, crew leader and laborer) would be approximately $170,333.  CONSTRUCTION DIVISION o As a general rule, this division only has enough personnel to respond to system failures and take immediate corrective action. The ability to take a proactive approach to ditch/culvert maintenance would increase the functionality of the drainage systems. o Since 2009, the Stormwater department has incurred the responsibility of maintaining several additional ponds. There are also several unresolved issues of pond ownership/responsibility that could potentially increase our inventory of additional ponds. Upon completion of our ongoing drainage study, we could also be adding even more ponds as resolutions. The functionality of retention ponds is critically important to reduce the risk of flooding. o The Town has received a grant to upgrade the drainage system in the Robynwyn subdivision. Increased personnel would allow the Stormwater department to complete this type of project with the allotted money versus contracting the majority of the project. o The Corey Woods subdivision contains approximately 17,000’ of drainage pipe with the majority of the system being over 30 years old. Currently, we know that 4000’ of this system needs replacement. Our current work force can only react to immediate failures in the system. Proactive replacement of older systems would reduce flooding risks. Replacement projects in neighborhood systems are time consuming due to limited access and obstruction of easements by structures. For example, the mentioned 4000’ of pipe could easily take a five‐person crew well over a year to complete. o Proactive maintenance of open ditches could have an added benefit of reducing mosquito breeding grounds. o In 2017, the Stormwater department did not have enough budgeted funds to complete all necessary pipe replacements. Due to the limited funding, some projects had to be postponed to the 2018 budget year. Increased funding would allow us to perform projects that require materials of higher cost. o The addition of three crew members in the construction division (MEO IV, MEO III AND MEO I) would have an annual cost of approximately $166,604. o The increase in fees will allow for additional equipment and material to facilitate the expanded services.