Development fee to pay for levee improvements
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, April 18, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Local flood-control officials gave initial approval Thursday to a development fee to pay for area levee improvements.
The fee, proposed by the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, would add about $4,500 to the cost of an average single-family home and $2.69 per square foot for commercial projects. It would apply in Sacramento and Sutter counties and in Sacramento within the 200-year floodplain.
SAFCA's goal is to ensure development pays its share to offset increased risk to life and property caused by urban growth. The fee is expected to raise about $132 million by 2019.
The money, matched with state and federal dollars, will fund projects to attain or exceed 200-year flood protection, or the ability to withstand a flood with a one-half of 1 percent chance of striking in any given year. The money will augment $326 million to be raised by a property tax approved by Sacramento residents last year.
The SAFCA board plans a final vote on the fee at its May 15 meeting. It would take effect Jan. 1.
– Matt Weiser
