Page 499 - 2022-23 Blue Book Vol 2

STORMWATER POLLUTION ABATEMENT FUND

BASIS FOR THE PROPOSED BUDGET
The 2022-23 Proposed Budget for the Stormwater Pollution Abatement (SPA) Fund relates to current year funding as
follows:

Amount % Change

2021-22 Adopted Budget $ 34,498,746

2022-23 Proposed Budget $ 34,189,582

Change from 2021-22 Budget $ (309,164) (0.9%)

Adopted in August 1990, the SPA charge imposes a fee on all properties in the City based on stormwater runoff and
pollutant loading associated with property size and land use. The charge is collected by the Los Angeles County
Assessor on the annual property tax bill and annual receipts are approximately $28.4 million. SPA funds are used to
treat and abate stormwater under the guidelines and regulations set forth by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for stormwater discharges from large municipal storm drain systems. The SPA Fund
supports the cost of stormwater-related activities in various City departments and also funds the construction of flood
control and pollution abatement projects. As the result of climate change impacts and changing environmental factors,
the focus of stormwater abatement has shifted to encompass a broader effort in watershed management to improve
water quality across the various watersheds.

The State of California, Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region (Regional Board) regulates the
treatment and abatement of stormwater through a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. This Permit is issued to agencies that operate their municipal storm drain
systems. A new MS4 Permit was negotiated and became effective September 2021.

The MS4 Permit is one of the regulatory tools the Regional Board uses to enforce oversight of Total Maximum Daily
Loads (TMDLs), which limit the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet water
quality standards. The City is currently subject to 22 TMDLs, but more TMDLs will be issued to the City by the Regional
Board and the U.S. EPA in the next five years. The MS4 Permit also provides for the development and implementation
of Enhanced Watershed Management Programs (EWMPs) that outline strategies, watershed control measures, and
implementation schedules to ensure compliance with the MS4 Permit and all TMDLs.

REVENUE
The City has not adjusted the SPA charge since 1993. The rate structure of $1.92 per month for a typical single-family
residential parcel is not sufficient to support the cost of implementing the current NPDES MS4 Permit requirements.
With the passage of Measure W, additional funds are now available to support the City’s cost to implement water
quality projects to meet these requirements. Going forward, it is expected that SPA will be used to support the City’s
flood control program, enforcement of illicit discharge activities, and stormwater education. Futhermore, Measure W will
be used to fund water quality projects identified in the EWMPs to comply with TMDL requirements as well as the
operation and maintenance of completed water quality projects.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

 Funds are provided for non-capital expenses associated with maintaining the NPDES MS4 Permit.

 Funds are provided for stormwater capture projects that are in collaboration with the Los Angeles Department
of Water and Power.

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