Drainage in Burleson

Upcoming Meetings

On Dec. 15, staff will present the Burleson City Council with a report on public engagement for the potential implementation of a stormwater utility and fee during the regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Burleson City Hall, 141 W. Renfro St. Below are the the exhibits that will be presented.

Outreach Materials

Below is the presentation given at the Dec. 2 Religious Institution Town Hall.

Dec. 2 Presentation

Below are the materials that were presented during the Nov. 10 Drainage Town Hall.

Display Boards
Video of Drainage Issues in Burleson
Boom and Drainage Mowing Map - This map highlights the drainage channels the city is responsible for mowing, as well as areas that are difficult to reach — such as ditches, embankments and slopes. These locations are maintained using a boom mower equipped with an extendable arm that allows operators to safely mow hard-to-reach areas from the side of the vehicle.
Drainage in Burleson Handout
Street Sweeping Map - This map highlights the street sweeping zones in the city.

Contact: Questions about the meeting? Email us or call 817-426-9646

FAQs

What is stormwater?

Stormwater is rain that doesn’t soak into the ground. Instead, it runs off hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, streets and parking lots. It flows into ditches, creeks or storm drains. This directly impacts the city's streets, businesses, park trails and residential properties that are next to drainage channels and beyond.

What is drainage and flood prevention?

Drainage is how rainwater moves off streets, sidewalks, and homes. Pipes, ditches and storm drains help carry the water away so it doesn’t flood our neighborhoods or impact our commute.

Flood prevention means stopping big rainstorms from causing water to collect where it shouldn’t—like in roads, yards or homes. It also helps minimize damage to drainage channels and pipes where water flows out.

What problems are Burleson facing with drainage and flooding?

Some drains and pipes have decay and do not function properly during rain events, enabling water to pond, which can attract mosquitoes.
Many areas don't drain fast enough, so they flood during storms.
Creeks are washing away soil (called erosion), which damages land, undermining fences and physical property boundaries.
Some drain pipes and culverts are frequently clogged with mud and debris that need routine maintenance.
Citywide evaluations have revealed widespread drainage deficiencies. Several of the more severe locations are highlighted below.

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Why is this important for Burleson?

Some areas of our community flood during heavy storms, which can:

Damage roads and property
Make driving unsafe
Harm local creeks and wildlife

The city has over 11 miles of storm channels and 281 culverts (big pipes under roads) that need regular, scheduled, preventive maintenance so that they function and drain as intended. The city does not have adequate resources to proactively maintain the drainage system. As a result, typically only the most severe drainage problems are addressed in a reactive fashion as staffing and funding become available.

Below are before and after pictures of a drainage crossing at Johnson Avenue near Warren Park that demonstrate how maintenance of drainage channels improves the flow of rainwater.

What happens if the issues are not addressed?

Erosion
More flooding in streets, parks, and homes
More costly repairs in the future
The city may not meet state and federal rules
Overgrown weeds that look bad and can attract rodents
Increased mosquito population

How does the city currently address drainage needs and concerns?

The current budget provides $550,000 dedicated to drainage maintenance, which covers personnel, materials and services used in managing concerns.
There are currently over $146 million dollars in identified drainage maintenance projects. Current staff and funding do not present a path to address or maintain drainage long-term.

Why hasn’t drainage been addressed?

While the city does allocate funding for drainage maintenance, there is no dedicated resource to adequately address the growing needs and aging infrastructure. In many cases, available resources are redirected to higher priorities, such as street maintenance. Several neighboring cities have established stormwater utility fees, creating dedicated funding mechanisms to support ongoing drainage system maintenance and improvements.

Cities in North Texas with a Stormwater Utility Fee

Cities that have the fee are highlighted in blue

Stormwater Utility Fee FAQs

Can Burleson enact a stormwater utility fee?

Yes. The city of Burleson has the legal authority to create a stormwater utility fee. This is allowed under State Law – Local Government Code 552, Subchapter C (Municipal Drainage Utility Systems Act).

If approved, this fee would create a dedicated funding source to help the city maintain and improve its drainage systems—things like storm drains, culverts, pipes, and swales. These systems help prevent flooding, erosion, and other drainage problems across the community.

If a stormwater utility fee is enacted, who would pay it?

Everyone with a building or structure would pay the fee. That includes:

Homeowners
Businesses
Schools and educational facilities
Religious institutions
Government buildings

Why? Because all buildings contribute to drainage runoff.

The amount you'd pay depends on how much hard surface is on your property—things like:

Roofs
Driveways (concrete or gravel)
Sidewalks
Parking lots
Private streets and alleys
Decks around pools

Why? Hard surfaces (also known as impervious surfaces) keep water from soaking into the ground. Instead, rain runs off and flows into the city's drainage system. The more runoff your property creates, the more it uses the system—and the more it contributes to wear and tear.

How is the fee calculated and how much would it be?

All 17,529 properties in Burleson were individually analyzed to measure the amount of impervious surface—like rooftops, driveways, and parking areas—on each one. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, along with aerial photos and site plans, the city calculated the total square footage of hard surfaces for every property.

This information was used to create the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)—a standard unit based on the median impervious area of a typical single-family home in Burleson. The ERU provides a fair and consistent way to compare residential and non-residential properties when calculating the stormwater utility fee.

Ninety percent of residential customers would pay no more than $8 per month, and it would appear on their regular city utility bill.

If you are a resident who does not receive city utility services, the city will work with other local water providers to include the fee on their utility bills whenever possible. If that’s not an option, the city will bill you directly.

For non-residential properties (like businesses, schools, churches, and government facilities), the fee would vary based on the amount of hard surface on the property.

How would drainage be improved in Burleson if the fee is passed?

If approved, the stormwater fee would create a dedicated funding source to improve drainage across Burleson. It would allow the City to:

Increase maintenance of ditches, inlets, and culverts to help prevent flooding and keep water flowing where it should.
Free up other resources currently being used for drainage work, so the city can focus more on long-term system upkeep.
Target upgrades to aging or undersized infrastructure, helping to reduce flood risk in neighborhoods and protect local streets and waterways.

Over time, the fee would help make Burleson's drainage system stronger, safer, and better prepared for heavy rains and future growth.

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Burleson Stormwater Fee Timeline

October – November 2025: Public outreach and community education efforts begin, including sharing information with residents, businesses, and key stakeholders.
November 10, 2025: Town Hall Meeting hosted by the City to present the proposed stormwater fee, answer community questions, and gather public input.
November 12, 2025: Meetings with local school districts to share information and receive feedback on the potential impacts of the fee
December 15, 2025: Presentation to City Council summarizing outreach findings and outlining the proposed fee structure and implementation plan.
January 2026: If City Council wishes to move forward, a public hearing and first reading of the stormwater utility fee ordinance may be scheduled during this time.
February 2026: If the process continues, a second reading and final vote on the ordinance may take place.
October 2026: If adopted, the stormwater utility fee would begin appearing on monthly water utility bills.

Please Note:

Public outreach and a presentation to City Council do not guarantee that a stormwater utility fee will be approved or enacted. This timeline simply outlines how the process could move forward if Council chooses to pursue it.

When would the fee begin to be assessed, if passed?

If the City Council adopts the stormwater ordinance in February 2026, the fee would begin appearing on utility bills starting in October 2026.