Council makes new promise for stormwater projects

The City Council voted 8 to 1 to spend $19 million every year on stormwater projects. Council members say it holds a strong message and not just for people in Colorado Springs.

“It’s a message to them that we agree that stormwater is a problem,” said Councilwoman Jan Martin.

Two months ago the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Board said it would sue Colorado Springs for its lack of permanent stormwater funding.

“This approach, hopefully, will help alleviate their concerns that we are serious about this and we will dedicate these funds specific to the stormwater,” said Martin.

The new promise came during this week’s City Council meeting after seven council members said no to a different spending plan proposed by Mayor Steve Bach.

“The current solution the mayor proposed was to do projects for five years, then pay 20 years of debt,” said Martin.

Bach wanted to spend $160 million on 70 different capital improvement projects, including work on infrastructure and city parks.

“The infrastructure really needs some work. We have over $1 billion of back logs for the city, but we also have a new mayor coming on in a few months. I really believe using the funds now for stormwater leaves the door open for the new mayor to look at a new solution,” said Martin.

The money promised by City Council will come from the city’s general fund and Colorado Springs Utilities.

The City Council has not yet heard from the Lower Arkansas water board about the decision.