Stormwater funding topic of Sept. 24th Manatee Commission meeting

MANATEE COUNTY – During a work session today Manatee County Commissioners discussed the County's stormwater program and how to fund it into the future to improve drainage and local water quality.

For much of 2019 Commissioners have discussed the current stormwater program which helps reduce roadway flooding and improves local water quality by maintaining public stormwater pipes, ditches, canals, ponds and other structures that filter pollutants before stormwater reaches water bodies.

Commissioners are considering a stormwater fee to pay for the County’s Stormwater Program which has been funded since the early 1990s by mostly solid waste fees and property tax revenues. Next Tuesday, Sept. 24, the Commission will discuss the proposed stormwater rate and they are expected to authorize a public outreach campaign this fall to educate Manatee County residents about the program and the proposed fee. No vote will be taken on the proposed stormwater fee until after the public outreach campaign is complete.