City of Rio Vista Storm Drain Q&A

Ballots were mailed on June 13^th, 2024.

Need a Replacement? If your ballot is lost, spoiled, damaged, or if you have not received it, or if you need to change your vote on a previously submitted ballot, you can request a replacement.

How to Request: To obtain a replacement ballot, please contact 1 (800) 676-7516. We will guide you through obtaining and correctly filling out your new ballot.

If your ballot is lost, spoiled, damaged, or if you have not received it, or if you need to change your vote on a previously submitted ballot, you can request a replacement.

• How to Request: To obtain a replacement ballot, please contact 1 (800) 676-7516. We will guide you through obtaining and correctly filling out your new ballot.

The storm drain fees are being adjusted to address aging infrastructure, comply with State requirements, and increased flooding risks. The current fee level, unchanged since 1989, is and always has been insufficient to fund necessary maintenance and capital improvements (in 1989, a gallon of gas was $1.00 and George HW Bush was President of the USA).

The proposed storm drain fees were set by studying what it costs to maintain and improve the storm drain system and making sure the charges are fair. Click here to view the report. Public meetings where experts and community members could discuss and express concerns regarding the proposed fees were held. You can find more details about how we figured out the costs and watch recordings of these discussions at riovistarates.com.

Planned improvements include upgrading storm drain pumps, installing flap gates at outfall pipes, and enhancing system inspections with CCTV technology. These upgrades are critical for reducing flood risks and improving water management. See the full report here.

Residents are encouraged to participate at the community meeting and during the public hearing where they can voice their opinions. Written protests can also be submitted if they oppose the fee adjustments.

50% of the affected property owners must submit written protests against the proposed fee. If 50% of affected property owners submit written protests at or before the public hearing, the city cannot implement the fee. This majority protest rule ensures that property owners have substantial influence over fee changes.

The fee passes if more than 50% of the ballots returned by the deadline vote in favor of the proposal. If the majority of the returned ballots oppose it, the fee will not be implemented.

If a majority of property owners submit written protests against the fee adjustments, the proposal will not be implemented. This ensures that the community has a decisive voice in such important decisions.

Rio Vista stormwater drains into the Sacramento River. The city has fallen behind in maintaining the system and has relied on the general fund for “emergency” repairs. If the city’s stormwater system is not in compliance with the State (and Federal) requirements, there may be fines as the city is “forced” to comply. The new rates put the city in a position to enhance and maintain the system proactively and fewer emergencies.

The city commits to transparency by providing regular updates on project progress and expenditures. Independent audits and public reviews of spending will ensure accountability and proper use of funds.

Yes, beyond flood management, the improvements will enhance water quality by reducing pollution runoff, support biodiversity in local waterways, and provide long-term savings on emergency repairs and flood damage recovery.

To find out exactly how much your storm drain fee will be, please visit our interactive map at riovistarates.com.

While your property may not be in a flood zone or flood during heavy rains, the stormwater from your property drains into the system. The fees you pay help maintain the entire system, which benefits you and the entire community.

Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that does not soak into the ground but instead flows over the ground surface, roads, parking lots, and other paved surfaces, eventually reaching streams, rivers, and lakes.

Storm drain fees and wastewater fees are separate charges that support different aspects of a city's water management infrastructure. The distinction between the two mainly lies in what they are designed to cover.

Storm Drain Fees: These are typically used to fund the management and maintenance of a city's storm drain infrastructure. Storm drain systems handle rainwater runoff from roads, rooftops, and other impervious surfaces to prevent flooding, reduce erosion, and protect water quality. The fees might go towards things like storm drain maintenance, street sweeping, flood management projects, and initiatives to improve the quality of stormwater runoff before it reaches local water bodies.

Wastewater Fees: Wastewater fees, sometimes referred to as sewer fees, are used to cover the costs of collecting, treating, and disposing of sewage (domestic and industrial wastewater). This process includes the collection of wastewater from homes and businesses, its treatment at wastewater treatment facilities to remove contaminants and pathogens, and the discharge of the treated water back into the environment in a manner that meets regulatory standards. Find out more about wastewater here.

So, while both fees are related to water management, storm drain fees are specifically for managing rainwater runoff and preventing flooding and pollution, while wastewater fees are for managing and treating sewage to protect public health and the environment.

Uncontrolled stormwater can lead to flooding and erosion. Also, as it flows, stormwater picks up and carries various pollutants (like oils, pesticides, and litter) into natural water bodies, which can harm aquatic life and degrade water quality.