Scroggs said the news did not catch the city by surprise. She said the city's stormwater management study, currently under Federal Emergency Management Agency review for probable funding, should address what the city needs to do to comply with federal regulations. Additionally, city engineer Chuck Meister is slated to attend a seminar next week for small municipalities just coming under the federal mandate. The city will eventually have to buy additional equipment and probably hire additional staff to comply with the regulations, according to Scroggs. She said the city may need a new street sweeper and will require equipment to test water quality.
Some municipalities enter into cooperative agreements to minimize costs.
Funding the necessary improvements will be borne by taxpayers. She said funds collected are earmarked for stormwater utility, and finance what is needed to comply with the regulations. How long the city has to comply is still uncertain, according to Scroggs. She said the city should have several years to implement the changes, but she would have a better feel for deadlines after Meister returns from the seminar. The city will get more state-shared revenue at the same time certain grant funds dry up, according to city grant manager Lindey Chabot.