The City of Rhinelander is considering adoption of a stormwater utility. An information session on the potential utility for commercial property owners has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 24, at 10 a.m., in the Rhinelander City Hall Council Chambers.

If adopted, the utility would change the fashion in which revenues are collected for necessary stormwater-related expenditures from the property tax basis currently used to a “user charge” system, with charged calculated based on impervious surface area.

An impervious surface area is gravel, asphalt, concrete, roof or other material drainage surface that ultimately conveys water to the storm sewer system. Only drainage surfaces located within the property limits attribute to the customer’s impervious area. Each property is identified to have a specific drainage area resulting from these surfaces. The intent of the proposed used charge system will be to charge a customer based on the amount of stormwater being handled.

The city is offering a series of information sessions to inform city property owners of the reasons it is considering adopting such a utility, the proposed utility budget and how the user charges would be calculated. The city’s consulting engineering firm will make a presentation at each of these sessions, and will be available to answer questions and discuss stormwater utility details. Proposed utility charge rates for all properties other than single family residential, duplex and triplex properties will be available for inspection at these sessions.

For more information, call (715) 365-8600, or visit ci.rhinelander.wi.gov.