What decides the final stormwater fee rate after a ballot measure?

[James.J]

I’m trying to understand how a local ballot measure about stormwater fees actually gets implemented. The policy passed, but now I’m seeing different cost estimates for homeowners and I can’t figure out where the final calculation authority lies. Is it with the public works department, or does the city council have to approve the specific rate structure separately?

[Violet6]

In our city the measure created a process where a staff proposal on the rate structure is drafted by Public Works, and then the city council votes on the actual rates. The department does the calculation (usually based on impervious area or the billable meter), but the final numbers need council approval.

[MarkP]

I tried reading the ordinance and the final authority line is buried in the fine print. It feels like the policy says one thing and the budgeting side interprets who actually signs off on the numbers.

[Elizabeth36]

Do you know if the council has to approve the rate changes every year, or can the department adjust within a set range without another vote?

[JasonZR]

We did a draft memo at the city hall showing the formula, but it keeps saying subject to adoption and I could not tell who finally stamps the numbers. It reminded me how easy it is for people to drift between 'calculation' and 'approval'.