Public works director outlines stormwater utility options; council pauses fee action

Johnny Ziem, the town's public works director, gave Jackson's council an informational briefing on May 20 about establishing a stormwater utility fee and the program-level services such a fund would support. Ziem described options for defining level of service, fee metrics such as the equivalent residential unit (ERU) based on impervious surface, and a commodity-style credit program for owners who reduce runoff.

"Staff recommend the council take no action at this time as this presentation is purely informational," Ziem said, explaining that the Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) is pursuing statewide clarity on how municipalities should implement stormwater fees and that several larger Wyoming cities have paused fee programs while legislation is considered. Ziem told the council the town's stormwater strategic program plan (SSPP) sets goals including removing Flat Creek from the 303(d) impaired-waters list and identifying funding sources to meet those objectives.

Councilors pressed staff for specifics about thresholds, which properties would pay, and the relationship between level of service and recommended fees. Ziem said fees would likely be based on impervious-surface measurements and would apply broadly to properties that use town infrastructure, though residential and commercial/multifamily classes would be treated differently for equity reasons. He framed level-of-service choices as a "crawl, walk, run" progression that determines staffing, maintenance, and capital investments — and therefore the size of any fee.

Councilors and staff also discussed inspection needs and existing measures the town already operates. Ziem noted the town has added stormwater treatment units and increased street sweeping over the last two decades; he said the Carnes Meadow project represents a higher level of service while routine maintenance and capital projects remain at more basic levels.

In public comment, Jennifer Evans, advocacy director for Protect Our Water Jackson Hole, thanked staff for the work and said her group supports a stormwater utility and is available to help with outreach and related land-use updates. Councilors reiterated that the presentation was educational and agreed to pause fee adoption until state statutory issues are clearer and WAM completes its work.

The council did not take formal action on the fee at the workshop; staff will continue work on the SSPP, LDR amendments, and outreach and will return when state direction and local policy choices align.