But the amount charged to each property owner will be charged remains undecided.

Town Council at its meeting on Dec. 5 discussed the amount needed to keep the riverbeds and drinking water clean, which it is required to do by an unfunded federal mandate.

The town currently dips into its general fund as needed for stormwater projects – a practice that can't continue, town officials say.

“We haven't been able to meet our responsibilities because we're on a shoestring budget,” town engineer Fred Boone said.

Added Knightdale Mayor Russell Killen: “We have to fund it somehow, ... a stormwater utility (instead of a property tax) seems to be best way.”

Boone estimates that a $354,000 annual budget would be needed to fulfill the town's stormwater responsibilities.

Raleigh, Durham, Zebulon and at least seven other North Carolina municipalities have a stormwater utility.

Zebulon currently has a flat-rate for its residents. But fees for Knightdale residents will vary on the impervious area or square-footage of their properties.

“It's more fair to do it based on how much runoff property owners have,” Killen said.

The town will charge between $1 and $2 per 2,200 square-feet, Boone said. Though town staff is still discussing the final rate.

Knightdale held a public hearing at the Dec. 5 Town Council meeting, during which no residents spoke.

The council voiced concerns for explaining the need for the utility to the public.

Killen, however, thinks the stormwater utility, and the new fee, will be well-received.

“I know of citizens who ask about street sweeping all the time,” Killen said. “(But) I suspect what we want to do is keep everything at a reasonable minimum.”

Once the fee is approved, Knightdale would like to start street sweeping.

The town also would like to add a storm-water mapping system to gain a full inventory of storm-water features within town limits.

Added councilman James Roberson: “I think it's important we continue to educate the community on the importance of this,” he said.