WaQSP ECONOMIC PLANNING ELEMENT
After three years, 125 stakeholder meetings, 200 individual comments, and numerous unofficial discussions, the final WaQSP was published in August of 2008. The FINAL WaQSP Economic Planning Element is now available for public use.
BACKGROUND
The Economic Element explores possible funding mechanisms for updating of the Water Quality Stewardship Plan (WaQSP).
SCOPE
1. Identify economic benefits of a healthy watershed
2. Identify funding needs for updating of the WaQSP
3. Discuss funding options for updating of the WaQSP.
4. Make recommendations for preferred funding mechanisms.
MAJOR RECOMMENDATION
The future cost to update the WaQSP is estimated to be $750,000. However, this cost may vary depending on data availability and changes in the watershed. In order to fund the cost of WaQSP updates, it is recommended that each water category: stormwater, wastewater, and water supply, participate equally up to $250,000 every six years.
With contributions from all three sectors of water in the County, all property owners will contribute to watershed planning. For example, several properties, including schools, churches and other publicly held lands are tax exempt in Salt Lake County and therefore do not contribute to the Flood Control Levy. However, these facilities contribute to the overall stormwater runoff and pollutant loads in the watershed. With donations from wastewater and water districts, these properties would participate in the cost of watershed planning. Additionally, an individual who has a private septic system is by definition not connected to a wastewater utility; however, under the proposed structure, they would contribute to watershed planning through their water bill and property taxes. By using all three water sectors [stormwater (i.e. Flood Control Levy), wastewater, and water], every property owner in the County will participate in the cost of watershed planning.
It is anticipated that the County would contribute $250,000 every six years through the Flood Control Levy, which essentially represents stormwater. Additionally, it is proposed that water and wastewater districts contribute to WaQSP updates through the establishment of voluntary interlocal agreements.
Through discussions with these users service districts and other stakeholders, there is cautious support to voluntarily participate both financially and in planning efforts. Voluntary participation would be established in lieu of an additional fee or tax that would be passed through the districts. This voluntary funding mechanism may effectively support ongoing planning efforts, depending on the number of participating districts and the amount of funding required. However, if voluntary interlocal agreements are not successfully established, the County may need to consider increasing the Flood Control Levy to fund WaQSP updates.
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