Conroe Considers Monthly Stormwater Fee

**Conroe Considers New Stormwater Utility Fee to Tackle Aging Infrastructure, Boost Flood Control**

**Conroe, TX** – The Conroe City Council is nearing a critical decision on a proposed monthly stormwater utility fee, a move designed to fundamentally alter how the city funds its essential drainage improvements and addresses long-standing flood mitigation challenges. Following an in-depth workshop on April 24, council members are set to consider a formal vote as early as their May 8 meeting, with fees potentially taking effect by October 1.

The impetus behind the proposed fee is a pressing need for a stable, dedicated funding source to modernize Conroe’s aging drainage infrastructure, ensure compliance with stringent regulatory requirements from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and ultimately, bolster the city’s resilience against recurrent flooding events. City officials underscore that the current reliance on the general fund, which allocates approximately $1 million annually to stormwater management, is woefully inadequate given the scope of needed projects.

“Our current funding model simply isn’t cutting it,” stated a city spokesperson, highlighting the significant gap between current resources and the escalating demands of maintaining a robust drainage system in a growing city. “This dedicated fee would allow us to proactively address critical infrastructure needs, comply with state mandates, and most importantly, better protect our residents and businesses from the impacts of heavy rainfall.”

Under the proposed structure, most single-family homes would see a $5 charge added to their monthly water bill. Residents in multi-family units, such as apartments, would pay approximately $3 per unit each month. For businesses and other non-residential properties, the fee would be calculated based on their “impervious surface area” – the amount of concrete, asphalt, rooftops, and other surfaces that prevent water absorption. These areas would be measured in Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs), with one ERU defined as 2,800 square feet of impervious surface.

City staff estimates that this new utility fee, if approved, would generate approximately $3.8 million annually. This revenue would be channeled directly into a dedicated stormwater enterprise fund, completely separate from the city’s general fund. This segregation ensures that all collected monies are exclusively used for stormwater projects, from maintenance and repairs to capital improvements identified in the city’s comprehensive plans.

The conceptual framework for this fee stems from a detailed stormwater master plan developed last summer by consultant Halff Associates. The plan identified numerous critical projects essential for upgrading and maintaining Conroe’s drainage system, many of which have been unfunded due to the lack of a consistent revenue stream. The master plan highlighted not only the need for significant capital investment but also the ongoing operational and maintenance costs associated with an effective stormwater program.

With roughly 35,000 residential properties and an additional 9,000 multi-family units within the city limits, this fee would affect a broad spectrum of Conroe residents and businesses. City leaders emphasize that establishing a dedicated utility fee for stormwater management is a common practice among municipalities nationwide, recognizing stormwater as a utility service akin to water or wastewater. This approach provides a stable, predictable funding stream crucial for long-term planning and investment.

The Conroe area, like many parts of Southeast Texas, has experienced its share of significant rainfall and associated flooding, including impacts from events like Hurricane Harvey. Proponents of the fee argue that proactive investment in drainage infrastructure is not only a matter of regulatory compliance but also an essential component of public safety and economic stability, safeguarding property values and reducing the financial burden of flood damage.

Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming City Council meeting on May 8 to learn more about the proposal and voice their opinions. Details about the proposed fee structure and the stormwater master plan are typically available on the City of Conroe’s official website. Ultimately, this potential new fee represents a significant step towards ensuring Conroe can proactively maintain its vital drainage systems, meet state regulatory demands, and, most importantly, better protect properties and residents from the persistent threat of flooding.