Council Approves Funding For Consultant On Potential Stormwater Assessment Program

by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes

The Sanibel City Council unanimously approved funds on Tuesday, Dec. 16, for a consultant in a potential stormwater assessment program. Chief Finance Officer Steve Chapel told the council that because the city is at the exploratory stage of evaluating a potential stormwater assessment program, consultant assistance is essential to provide foundational analysis and guide decision-making.

The City of Sanibel presently does not operate a formal stormwater utility or assessment program. Instead, its stormwater activities are addressed on an as-needed basis and have historically been funded through general operating resources, transportation revenues, or grants.

As resiliency and environmental pressures increase and infrastructure maintenance becomes more complex, the absence of a dedicated, structured stormwater management framework presents growing challenges, Chapel wrote in his memo to the council.

This consulting project will help the council make informed decisions about whether and how to move forward with establishing a dedicated stormwater assessment program.

The scope of work of a consultant would include:
• Reviewing Sanibel’s current stormwater conditions, needs, and vulnerabilities.
• Identifying and analyzing potential program structures, including phased or hybrid approaches appropriate for environmentally sensitive barrier island communities.
• Developing possible assessment or fee methodologies based on parcel characteristics, impervious area, and Sanibel’s unique development patterns.
• Ensuring compliance with Florida law governing stormwater assessments and public financing mechanisms.
• Preparing materials to facilitate City Council and public outreach to inform and engage stakeholders.
• Providing the City Council with clearly defined program options, cost implications, and implementation guidance.

The council approved $25,000 for the consulting project. The money will be appropriated from the General Fund ending balance, and it does not increase the fiscal year 2026 budget.