AGENDA DATE: 11/4/2026
TITLE:
Title
Drainage Infrastructure Management Program - Adoption of Guidelines
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Staff request that the Board adopt guidelines for a Drainage Infrastructure Management Program.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Tevendale, Dumars, Harper
PRESENTER (S): Greg Harper
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Since 2018, staff have been developing and implementing a Drainage Infrastructure Management Program (“Program”) to manage drainage infrastructure in urban areas-including infrastructure on private property-that conveys runoff originating from public properties. Drainage infrastructure includes constructed features that move stormwater, such as inlets, pipes, manholes, and channels. The Program does not cover stormwater management facilities such as biofilters and detention basins, which are designed to reduce pollutant concentrations and lower discharge rates from developed properties; those facilities are addressed through a separate program.
The Program focuses on cleaning, assessing, and repairing drainage infrastructure and, when necessary, addressing deficiencies such as inadequate or eroding channels.
The Program’s launch followed multiple Board actions beginning in 2015 directing staff to address drainage infrastructure failures on private property. To date, approximately 44 percent of eligible urban infrastructure has been cleaned and assessed, with the remaining work planned over the next several years. The Program has completed planned repair projects identified through assessments, as well as unplanned repairs-which together total approximately $1.6 million. Unplanned repairs address issues not identified through assessments, such as sinkholes and channel failures, and are typically reported by property owners.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure and Placemaking - Invest in infrastructure and amenities that create connection, opportunity, and well-being.
DISCUSSION:
To ensure the Program is administered objectively and consistently, staff have developed and refined the implementation rules, documented as the Drainage Infrastructure Management Program Guidelines (“Guidelines”)(Attachment A). The Guidelines include the following sections:
• Extent of service (EOS) - defines what portions of drainage infrastructure the County manages
• Level of service (LOS) - defines the components of the Program and the intended pace by which the Program is implemented
• Working on private property - defines how the County acquires consent from property owners to implement the Program on properties not owned by the County
• Coordination with adjacent entities - defines how the County coordinates with other localities, agencies, or other property owners in identifying the responsible party and resolving issues crossing property boundaries
The scope and cost of the Program is primarily influenced by the EOS, as it defines the total amount of infrastructure managed under the Program. Staff utilize the EOS guidelines to determine whether any given segment of infrastructure is eligible for County management - whether this is to proactively clean, assess, and repair infrastructure or to determine a response to drainage issues reported by property owners. As the EOS guidelines are written, the County manages drainage infrastructure on County-owned properties and - within the Development Areas - downstream of public properties (including public roadways) except when the infrastructure is managed by another entity or is solely for the benefit of private property.
The Director of Facilities and Environmental Services is the designated Program Administrator and has the authority to make final determinations of eligibility based on the EOS guidelines and available funding.
While the Program is being implemented in a manner and at a scale that is consistent with past Board discussions and input, staff request more formalized authorization of the Program through Board adoption of the Guidelines.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no anticipated budget impact associated with the adoption of the Guidelines. The Program has been, and can continue to be, implemented within existing revenue and staffing levels.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the Drainage Infrastructure Management Program Guidelines (Attachment A).
ATTACHMENTS:
Att. A - Drainage Infrastructure Management Program Guidelines