During regular session on Monday, July 28, the Thomasville City Council approved a new ordinance establishing a stormwater utility. The ordinance gives the City authority to bill stormwater services for residential and commercial customers within city limits. City leadership expects to implement the utility fee in early 2026.
The ordinance establishes a dedicated funding source for stormwater services, as recommended in the City’s Stormwater Master Plan (SWMP) developed by consultants from Goodwyn Mills Cawood and implemented in 2022. “The SWMP estimated more than $3.7 million was needed for stormwater capital,” said Eric Gossett, Assistant Utilities Superintendent. “Establishing this utility gives us the structure and funding we need to better maintain our stormwater system, reduce flooding, and protect our environment.”
Currently, stormwater upgrades and maintenance are primarily funded by the City of Thomasville’s General Fund, creating challenges to address stormwater needs efficiently. “The SWMP recommended creating a stormwater utility or fee to help cover an average of $1.32 million in annual stormwater-related costs,” said Gossett. “This new utility will allow us to take a proactive approach to stormwater maintenance, rather than solely reacting to problems.”
Under the newly adopted ordinance, the City will implement a rate structure based on impervious surfaces, which are areas like rooftops, driveways, and private sidewalks that prevent water from soaking into the ground. “We recommended to Council three billing rate classes based on the impervious square footage of a property,” noted Gossett. “The Single-Family Residential tier structure, Non-Single Family Residential (Commercial), and Undeveloped Land billing classes allow us to provide customers with fair billing rates based upon their square footage and property type.”
The cost formula recommended to City leadership was based on an estimated total of 24,429 equivalent residential units (ERUs) within city limits at a flat rate of $5 per ERU, generating approximately $1.46 million annually. Gossett noted that stormwater fees can only be used for stormwater-related maintenance projects and cannot be transferred to other government operations.
Recommended billing rate classes are as follows:
More than 60 communities in Georgia, including Camilla and Valdosta in Southwest Georgia, and over 2,000 communities nationwide utilize stormwater fees. “The stormwater utility fee is highly used across the state and nationwide and was recommended by our consultants,” said Chris White, City Manager. “We are thankful for the guidance and recommendations of the Council and the public input that was provided to City staff during various public meetings held throughout this process.”
Please CLICK HERE if you wish to review the Stormwater Master Plan. Additional updates and information will be shared to help customers prepare ahead of the official launch of the stormwater fee in early 2026, including ways to apply for stormwater credits. For additional questions or more information, contact Public Information Manager Ricky Zambrano at ricky.zambrano@thomasville.org or 229-227-7041.