This document discusses strategies for financing stormwater management at the local level. It emphasizes the importance of understanding true costs, having measurable goals, tracking systems, and ways to create efficiencies. Specific strategies proposed include better communication between departments, centralizing responsibility, reducing costs, developing staffing and budget dashboards, documenting processes, and engaging the public. Timing financing decisions and replacing assets at the right time in their lifecycle are also discussed.

1. Financing at the LocalFinancing at the Local
LevelLevel
Choose Clean Water Conference
Joanne Throwe
Environmental Finance Center
June 4, 2013

2. Understanding LocalUnderstanding Local
Stormwater FinancingStormwater Financing
Making the right decision
should be:
o Fair
o Transparent
o Adequate revenue
o Equitable
Is there:
oEnough data?
oMeasurable goals?
oA tracking system?
oWays to create
efficiencies?
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3. Managing AssetsManaging Assets
When to Replace Lifecycle Costs
• Replace asset before
repair costs reach
catastrophic failure
• Replace too early and
money wasted
• Replace too late and
costs are excessive
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4. Easy Ways to Improve Program onEasy Ways to Improve Program on
a Limited Budgeta Limited Budget
• Get departments to communicate better
• Centralize stormwater responsibility
• Let others do some of the work for you without guilt
• Work together to reduce costs, create efficiencies
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5. Not Everything Has to Cost A LotNot Everything Has to Cost A Lot
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6. Getting at True Costs isGetting at True Costs is
ImportantImportant
• True Costs for what is
needed in 1 year is:
$1,638,945
• Current Operating
Expenditures
$376,600
• Current Capital
Expenditures
$186,250
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Current*
(2013)
Year 1
(2014)
Year 2
(2015)
Year 3
(2016)
Year 4
(2017)
Year 5
(2018)
$186,250 $736,250 $302,250 $352,250 $579,750 $202,250
$186,250 $766,250 $317,250 $352,250 $579,750 $202,250
$562,850 $1,638,945 $1,211,762 $1,269,125 $1,519,547 $1,165,542
Sub-Total
Capital Expen
Total Expend

7. Document, Track, and Record!Document, Track, and Record!
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8. Have a Staffing PlanHave a Staffing Plan
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9. Labor DashboardsLabor Dashboards
• Total Annual Labor Cost
• Total Annual FTE
• FTE by position over time
• Cost by Position over time
• Post Construction Monitoring
FTE Over Time
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10. Budget DashboardBudget Dashboard
Local Permit Revenue / Permit Fee Revenue Less Labor Costs /
Reserve for Future Monitoring
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11. Output Flows into BudgetOutput Flows into Budget
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12. Results of ProcessResults of Process
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• Provided a basis for discussion among staff & officials
• Enabled dialogue about staff requirements in “no hire”
jurisdictions
• Shed light on unforeseen costs and future staff needs
• Able to plan for reserving fee revenues
• Can serve as a tool that can educate community

13. Don’t be Afraid to Take RisksDon’t be Afraid to Take Risks
• Berlin, MD
• Salisbury, MD
• Bowie, MD
• Lancaster, PA
• Scranton, PA
• Hampton, VA
• Shenandoah Valley, VA
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14. Public Engagement is EssentialPublic Engagement is Essential
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15. Timing is EverythingTiming is Everything
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16. Thank youThank you
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