By Scott Harvey
Commerce – The City of Commerce has given final approval toward a city wide drainage study. The City Council Tuesday, following the passage of a reimbursement resolution, has given Hayter Engineering the go ahead to conduct the study.
The Council approved the hiring of Hayter during its last meeting at a cost of $78,690. The funds were initially generated through the City's general fund, but needed to be redistributed from funds from bond proceeds before Hayter could begin the study.
The remaining proceeds from the $3 million bond package, passed by voters in May, will go toward street and utility improvements.
The scope of the study will include a 20-year drainage plan for a designated planning area generally conforming to the city limits and immediate surrounding area. The limits of the planning area will be determined in conjunction with City staff and with the future land use portions of the City's current comprehensive plan. The study is projected to take four to six months.
In May, Commerce residents approved the $3 million bond package for street and utility repairs. Bonds will be paid for by an increase in property taxes over the next 20 years. Prior to the election, it was anticipated the bonds would require an approximate maximum tax rate increase of 1.47 cents per $100 valuation of property. In other words, residents living in a $50,000 home would pay an extra $7.35 per year, while those residing in a $100,000 home would pay $14.70 more per year.