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SECTION 6 Surface Water Management Plan Section 6: Implementation Program City of Arden Hills WSB Project No. 3455-200 Page 2 Planning-level estimates of capital expenditures has been made. Future anticipated projects are also listed. The activities have been distributed throughout a 10-year implementation plan. The Implementation Plan is summarized in Table 6-2. The Implementation Plan is not a hard and fast commitment to complete each and every activity in the time frame suggested. Rather, it is a suggested course of action that will accomplish the major goals of this plan, accommodate growth and redevelopment in the community while protecting the environment and water resources, and complying with local, state, and federal regulations. The basis for cost considerations within the implementation plan are estimates of possible indirect costs associated with a project. Indirect costs may include feasibility studies, drainage studies, or other analyses needed to develop a project that meets a goal. In most cases, the program is either already implemented, is an MS4 requirement, or is something that is addressed on an as- needed basis (i.e., proposed development or redevelopment). Typically, City staff time is involved with most tasks; staff time on individual activities may vary according to workload and other competing priorities outside of this Plan. The City developed a five-year Pavement Management Program, prioritizing projects based on a composite rating which accounts for RCWD Lake Tiers. A significant factor in determining the composite rating is the Storm Water Index, which reflects whether or not the street has drainage infrastructure, whether the runoff from the street enters a natural water body treated or untreated, and whether localized flooding occurs on a regular basis. The City will conduct studies on the feasibility of water treatment areas as part of individual improvement projects. 6.3. Funding Alternatives 6.3.1. Surface Water Management Fund The City currently has a Surface Water Utility Fund, which funds storm water related costs including educational efforts, construction of treatment systems, and maintenance of the overall stormwater treatment and conveyance systems including storm sewer maintenance, ditch maintenance, and street sweeping. Fees are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure adequate funding for the activities set forth in this Plan and those required by law. 6.3.2. Ad Valorem Tax General taxation is the most common revenue source used to finance government services including minor maintenance measures for drainage and water quality facilities. Using property tax has the effect of spreading the cost over the entire tax base of a community. Special tax districts can also be used to raise revenue. The special tax district is similar to the administrative structure under general taxation except that all or part of the community may be placed in the tax district. The principle is to better correlate improvement costs to benefited or contributing properties. 6.3.3. Special Assessments Municipalities are familiar with the use of special assessments to finance special services from maintenance to construction of capital improvements. The assessments are levied against properties benefiting from the special services. The philosophy of this method is that the benefited properties pay in relation to benefits received. The benefit is the increase in the market value of the properties. Dr a f t 11 / 2 0 / 2 0 1 7