A new drainage fee could appear on Brownsville, Texas, utility bills as the city establishes a dedicated funding system to reduce flooding.
Commissioners approved creating the drainage utility, but customers’ rates still need to be set before the city’s expected January start.
Here’s what to know
During a special meeting on Oct. 7, Brownsville commissioners authorized a city drainage utility to support stormwater and drainage work throughout Brownsville. As ValleyCentral reported, officials approved the utility, but not the fee tied to it.
For now, Brownsville utility customers still do not know how much the new drainage charge would be. A future city council meeting is expected to address both the service framework and the fee that would pay for it.
City Manager Alan Guard said the city has been working with the Brownsville Public Utility Board on a plan to end the current resaca fee and replace it with dedicated funding for stormwater and drainage work across Brownsville.
If the city approves that billing change, drainage and flood-control work would be funded through a citywide revenue stream instead of remaining tied to the existing resaca-related fee.
Before any further action, the Brownsville City Commission has also discussed holding a town hall to explain the utility system and possible fees to residents.
What’s being done?
The vote at the special meeting formally created the drainage utility Brownsville plans to use for stormwater service and flood prevention.
Guard said the city and the Brownsville Public Utility Board are working together on replacing the current resaca fee with a dedicated funding source for stormwater and drainage work across Brownsville.
A future city council meeting is expected to outline how the utility would operate and set the drainage fee.
First, city leaders want more public outreach.
“The commission asked us to do a little more community engagement. A little more community education for awareness,” said Guard.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.