Sioux City phases stormwater fee rise after retreat from 300% increase

Sioux City phases stormwater fee rise after retreat from 300% increaseSioux City Council has approved a revised stormwater charging ordinance that initially doubles the average monthly user fee to $4.54 from 3 November 2026, replacing a previously approved 300% one-time increase. Further increases through FY2031 will support the city’s current CIP and the Bacon Creek Culvert Project.

The average monthly user charge will rise from $2.27 to $4.54 from 3 November 2026, followed by increases to $5.45, $6.54, $7.85 and $8.63 through FY2031.

Staff said the revised rate path covers the current capital improvement programme and Bacon Creek Culvert Project, but does not cover the Storm Water Master Plan.

The annual unit financial charge will increase from $0.00042 per square foot to $0.00084 in FY2027, reaching $0.00160 in FY2031.

The minimum annual parcel charge will increase from $15 to $30 in FY2027 and to $57.02 in FY2031; low-income assistance will rise from $30 to $60 initially.

Council approved the ordinance after public speakers raised concerns over continuing fee increases and charges on rural-style properties within city limits.

Sioux City Council has approved a revised stormwater fee schedule that replaces a previously approved 300% one-time increase with a phased series of increases through FY2031. The ordinance, effective from 3 November 2026, doubles the average monthly user rate from $2.27 to $4.54. The charge will then increase by 20% in each of FY2028, FY2029 and FY2030, to $5.45, $6.54 and $7.85 respectively, before a 10% increase to $8.63 in FY2031. Assistant City Manager Theresa Fitch said the revised approach would cover the stormwater capital improvement programme and the Bacon Creek Culvert Project. It would not fund the Storm Water Master Plan. Staff had originally presented the council with options in February, and the council approved a 300% one-time increase during its March operating-budget wrap-up. On 14 September, however, the council directed staff to revise that increase. The fee is calculated using parcel area, a runoff weighting factor based on land use or impervious area, and an annual unit financial charge. That unit charge will rise from $0.00042 per square foot to $0.00084 in FY2027, before reaching $0.00160 in FY2031. The minimum annual charge for any parcel will rise from $15 to $30 in FY2027 and then to $57.02 by FY2031. The ordinance also adjusts related provisions. Nonprofit organisations covered by the provision, including churches, religious schools, educational campuses and school district property, will see their annual unit charge increase from $0.000255 to $0.00051 in FY2027. The maximum annual charge for qualifying farmland and grassland in excess of 10 acres will rise from $648 to $1,296, reaching $2,463.44 in FY2031. Annual assistance available to residents eligible for Iowa’s extraordinary tax credit will initially double from $30 to $60, increasing to $114.05 by FY2031. During the hearing, a resident said her quarterly stormwater bill had risen from $57 to $210 and questioned why her acreage property was charged when its runoff did not enter a city storm drain. Council members advised her to use the city’s appeal process. Another speaker objected to continued increases and called for reductions in city projects. Council approved the first reading 5-0 and subsequently completed the remaining readings.