Fixing La Grange’s Drainage Issues Could Cost the City Tens of Millions

It will cost tens of millions of dollars to upgrade La Grange’s stormwater drainage system to a capacity that could handle recent flash flood events. La Grange City Manager Shawn Raborn gave an estimate of $30 to $40 million during a discussion Monday night with the City Council about next year’s budget.

“That’s probably a guesstimate, to be honest,” Raborn told the Record on Wednesday, June 16. “It could be more, it could be less.”

Raborn said he partially based the estimate on the $11 million cost of a grant-funded drainage project currently underway in the City. That project involves sections of Franklin, North Main and Brown Streets.

“When we look at the entire system, its going to have to be based on what kind of event you want to built to,” he said. “Is it built to handle a 100-year event or a 25-year event?”

The City Council will ultimately have to make those decisions. In the meantime, Raborn proposed setting aside $200,000 in next year’s budget to fund a comprehensive study of the City’s stormwater system. Such a study could determine problem areas and guide the City’s efforts to upgrade the system.

If Council doesn’t want to spend that much next year, Raborn suggested studying certain sections of town with known drainage problems. He identified North Washington Street and the Sunset Ridge subdivision as two such areas.

Raborn said a comprehensive effort to fix the City’s drainage problems would take many years.

“Long term, how are we going to pay for it?” he said. “Do you take on long-term debt? If so, it has to compete with other projects that citizens want accomplished.”

Raborn said some cities have established stormwater utilities that generate revenue to pay for drainage projects.

“They charge a monthly fee based on impervious cover,” Raborn said. “Commercial customers pay more because they create more runoff. Residential customers often pay a set fee.

“I’ve never discussed that with Council and I’m not neces sarily proposing that,” he added. “It’s just one way other cities pay for it.”

Also at Monday’s budget discussion, Raborn and Police Chief David Gilbreath asked Council for funding to hire an additional police officer next year. Raborn said the department aims to keep two officers on duty at all times of the day. However, he said there is a small window of time when that is not possible at current staffing levels.

Raborn said an additional officer would cost the City about $100,000 a year.

“It’s not just salary,” Raborn said. “You look at vehicle, equipment and outfitting, those little things add up to a lot.”

Monday night was the Council first budget discussion for the upcoming fiscal year. They did not take any action. Council has until Sept. 13 to finalize the budget.