Abilene Commission Approves Stormwater Fee Increase to $3.82 per Drainage Unit

The Abilene City Commission on October 12 voted 4-1 to raise the city's stormwater utility fee from $1.25 to $3.82 per drainage unit per month, with the increase taking effect with the January 2027 billing cycle.

Staff told commissioners that about 98% of Abilene residences are assessed one drainage unit. A rate study by Kansas Municipal Utilities had recommended phasing the increase in over three years, but staff said the commission reached consensus at its September 28 study session to implement the full increase at once. Ordinance 26-3494 carries out that direction.

Staff said planning-level estimates presented to the commission identified about $43 million in stormwater improvements, including about $28.9 million for southeast drainage projects. Staff described those figures as planning estimates, not a commitment to complete all of the projects.

Commissioner John Kollhoff said he wanted a specific plan for how the money would be spent before rates were raised, and moved to table the ordinance until the December 28 meeting. That motion failed for lack of a second. Commissioner Debbie Lytle said the city needs to start building reserves so money is available once projects move forward. Staff said the stormwater fund pays for repairs as they come up and would run short without additional revenue.

Another commissioner said they had preferred the three-year phase-in but supported the ordinance. Vice Mayor Cy Taylor, Commissioner Lytle, Commissioner Amy Meysenberg and Mayor Brandon Rein voted yes. Kollhoff voted no.