Stormwater Management

Keep Our Water Clean

If it's on the ground, it's in the river. As water flows over lawns, streets, and sidewalks, it picks
up chemicals, trash, and microbes that make their way into our water sources by way of the
storm sewers. Preserving the quality of our raw water sources is everyone's responsibility.

Stormwater is water that "runs off" across the land instead of seeping into the ground. Runoff is increased from surfaces which do not absorb water such as roads, parking lots, and roofs, driveways. The storm drains along streets and curbs allow rain and melting snow to move from the streets into a network of manmade pipes and natural channels ending up in our streams and lakes.

Stormwater is not treated before it ends up in a stream, lake, or river. Stormwater replenishes our sources of drinking water which are our lakes, streams and groundwater. Clean stormwater is vital to our quality of life and to the quality of our drinking and recreational waters.

Everyone in Johnson County has an important role to play in keeping our stormwater, and ultimately local water resources, free of harmful pollutants. By playing your part you are helping Johnson County remain a sustainable community with a plentiful and safe water supply.

How you can help

You can be a stormwater steward by following the practices below. Also, visit Johnson County's "Contain the Rain" page for sustainable landscaping solutions to manage stormwater on your property and be reimbursed for approved practices.

Here is a list of every day activities you can do to help prevent stormwater pollution in our communities:

Use fewer lawn chemicals and don't water right immediately. Try using compost instead of chemical fertilizer. Don't water after applying lawn chemicals and don't apply them before a heavy rainfall is predicted. These chemicals will wash into the storm drains and directly into rivers, lakes, streams.
Clean up after your pets. Carry disposable bags while walking your dog so you can pick up and dispose of pet waste in the trash. In your own yard, pick up pet waste, bag it and put it in the trash. Leaving it in the grass sends unsafe bacteria into the storm drains when it rains.
Recycle used oil. Find an oil recycling center near your home or work to properly dispose of used oil. Johnson County has more than 30 used-oil recycling sites, such as gas stations, automotive supply stores and lubrication service centers. For a list of sites, go to www.recyclespot.org
Sweep driveways and sidewalks rather than washing them off with the hose. Remove grass clippings, dirt and other debris and dispose of it properly. Don't blow grass clippings or leaves into the street.
Use a commercial car wash to minimize the effects on the environment. If you wash your car at home, do it on the grass.
Use biodegradable, phosphate-free, water-based cleaners only. Use a spray nozzle to save water.
Properly dispose of trash and yard waste. Contact your city hall for your community's instructions for proper trash and yard waste disposal.
Use household products as directed. Properly store and dispose of all hazardous household products at a hazardous waste permitted facility.
Shop smart. Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled and recyclable products whenever possible.

Storm Water Utility Fee Changes Coming in 2024

Starting in 2024, residents and businesses will begin to see a storm water utility fee with a reduction in the property tax mill rate. These funds will be used specifically to maintain our storm water infrastructure which includes curb and gutter, storm inlets, in-ground piping, detention basins and open drainage channels.

The Why
By moving to this fee structure away from the general property tax structure it will help systematically lower the mill rate.

This fee structure is in alignment with our neighboring cities.
The fee structure is a more equitable method of allocating cost, with those properties having more impervious area (such as commercial sites) contributing more storm water utility fees to support system maintenance.
In addition, it more accurately identifies the cost of storm water management with a specific fee adding clarity to the cost of this specific service.

The How
Starting in 2024, households not subject to a storm water improvement assessment were assessed a $57.75 annual fee which will be paid along with your property tax bill. These funds were included in the 2024 budget.

Businesses and non-profit organizations will be assessed a rate per square foot of impervious surface on their site.
Starting in 2024, residents and businesses began seeing a reduction in the property tax mill rate. A reduction in the mill rate went into effect for 2024, 2025 and is anticipated for 2026 and 2027 as the storm water utility fee is implemented City wide over a four year period.
Properties which currently pay a storm water improvement assessment will not begin paying the storm water utility fee until their storm water improvement assessment expires. Roughly half of the single family properties in Roeland Park are currently subject to a storm water improvement assessment. There are 3 improvement districts in place, one of the districts expires in 2024, another in 2025 and the final in 2026.

Map of Impervious Area by Address

FAQs

What uses are planned for the storm water utility fees?
As the City completes its bi-annual residential street reconstruction project storm sewers will be added and/or replaced along with curb replacement along these streets.

On an annual basis the city completes street renovation projects along our arterial roadways with 50% of those costs covered by the County Assistance Road System. These projects also entail replacing curb, area inlets and corrugated metal storm pipe. The stormwater utility fees will be used as part of the City’s local match on these projects.

Bi-annual storm water improvement projects that are not adjoining a street are planned which entail replacing inlet structures and corrugated metal pipe located along rear property lines. The stormwater utility fees will be used as our local match to secure Stormwater Management Advisory Council of Johnson County grants which can cover up to 50% of project costs.

Monthly street sweeping and annual catch basin cleaning to keep the collection system free of blockages and working as originally designed.

Periodic maintenance of the open storm drainage channels within the community. This entails cleaning, erosion control, repairs and landscaping maintenance

How does a well maintained storm drainage system benefit me?
A properly maintained storm drainage system keeps surface (rain) water from flooding buildings and streets avoiding property damage and unsafe driving conditions.

Will I pay more or less money now towards the storm water utility?
The intent is for the average single family home owner to pay roughly the same amount toward the storm water utility as they will see in property tax reduction.

The impact to commercial properties will depend upon how much impervious area they have and their taxable value; it will vary for each property.

Schools and Churches (who do not pay property taxes) will see an increase in what they pay based upon the amount of impervious area on their site.

When will I see my mill rate reduced because of this new fee structure?
A reduction in the property tax mill is anticipated in 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 in correlation with the increase in the storm water utility fees being added in each of those respective years. The largest mill reduction is anticipated in 2024 and the subsequent reductions will be smaller.

Why is the City doing this now?
In 2020 Roeland Park completed a comprehensive single family cost of living analysis which highlighted the fact that neighboring cities with a storm water utility fee enjoy a lower property tax mill rate. This has led to a phased implementation approach adopted by the City which takes into consideration the pending retirement of existing storm water improvement assessments in order to avoid a property being subject to both an assessment and utility fee at the same time. The change in funding structure, away from a property tax to a user fee, is driven by concerns expressed by residents about Roeland Park’s mill rate being higher than the mill rate of neighboring cities.

Stormwater Management

Keep Our Water Clean

If it's on the ground, it's in the river. As water flows over lawns, streets, and sidewalks, it picks
up chemicals, trash, and microbes that make their way into our water sources by way of the
storm sewers. Preserving the quality of our raw water sources is everyone's responsibility.

How you can help

Need to report a stormwater concern?