City Imposes Fee to Fix Storm Drains
SAN CLEMENTE — A $2.96 monthly fee for all homeowners in the city was tentatively approved Wednesday night to raise about $1 million annually for storm drain repairs.
City Engineer William Cameron estimates that all 3.3 miles of old corrugated metal pipes in the city will need replacement within 10 years. The city has no permanent source of funding for maintaining or replacing storm drains.
The City Council also considered a final contract to merge local police services with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, saving $2.1 million this coming fiscal year.
The city would pay the county $5.79 million for police services during the coming fiscal year. For $170,000 more, the Sheriff’s Department would also take over dispatching duties for other city divisions, including the Fire Department.
In comparison, it would cost the city about $7.91 million to continue operating the Police Department for the same period, the City Council was told.
The debate continued late Wednesday night.
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