JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown City Council has delayed their final decision on the stormwater utility fee.

During the regular meeting Monday evening, Jamestown Regional Airport Manager Katie Hemmer stated she would like the council to reconsider their rates on the agricultural portions of the airport property.

Hemmer says the airport was fine with paying for stormwater utility on all other properties, but the agriculture rate was distorted when compared to other airport properties.

Mayor Dwaine Heinrich stated that the stormwater utility needed to be passed by July 1st, but pointed out he would like to see a list of the properties that will be paying the most stormwater utility if approved by the council.

City Administrator Sarah Hellekson informed the council that the ag land is within the city, subjecting it to the utility fees.

Councilmember Dan Buchanan stated that the sensible thing to do was just pass the resolution and adjust as needed.

Under the proposed resolution, residents would pay $3 a month for stormwater utility. The fee is also based on the total property area and the amount of impervious area on a property that prevents rainfall or snowmelt from soaking into the ground.

“The fee for each property is determined by the size of the property and the amount of impervious area that causes stormwater to run off rather than soaking into the ground,” the city reports.

The council decided to delay the fee decision for a special City Council Meeting at City Hall Thursday, July 11th at 10 AM to further discuss the resolution.

Click here to learn more about the stormwater utility in Jamestown.