Rockville Town Council moving closer to stormwater solution

After several rounds of debate this summer, the Rockville Town Council moved one step closer to having a solution when it comes to its stormwater ordinance this week.

In May, Town Board President Dave Brown called out the need for work to be done before the town's stormwater board considered raising fees in the future. Brown noted there were issues with residents being overcharged, undercharged and some businesses paying residential fees. 

There may finally be light at the end of the tunnel, as the board voted in favor of holding a public hearing on Oct. 20 to discuss a proposed ordinance that would establish rates. The public hearing will be held at 5 p.m. at Rockville Town Hall, 119 W. High St., Rockville. Immediately following the public hearing, the Town Council will vote on the proposed ordinance. 

The proposed ordinance states that every property owner / lessee in Rockville with a hard surface area will incur a stormwater fee obligation and the obligation is to be increased based on hard surface area. 

Under the proposed ordinance, those with a water meter and those without a meter that own at least 500 square feet or more of hard surface area even if no water, electric or sewage services connected to the property will be subject to an increase. 

Any property outside the town limits with water service will pay a storm fee only if a portion of the property they own drains into the municipal boundary or passes through drainage infrastructure the Town maintains. 

Town officials have defined a hard surface area as an area where rainwater's ability to get into the subsoil is significantly reduced, and examples include: asphalt, brick, concrete, gravel and stone. 

For those with a square foot area of 0 to 15,000, the rate will be $10.68. Those with 15,001 to 30,000 will pay $21.36, while those with 30,001 to 45,000 will pay $32.04 and anything over 45,000 will be charged $42.72. 

If approved, the utility rates and charges would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.