Wastewater utility OKed by council, has taxing powers Dec. 10, 2009 Based on initial response, the Antigo Common Council Wednesday could have reasonably expected a full house—and plenty of comments—as it decided whether or not to createa new utility which would set fees for businesses and residents based on the amount of storm water runoff they add to the city’s system.
Those expectations would have been wrong.
In front of an empty gallery and with only one citizen comment—from former Mayor Sam Hardin in favor of the plan—aldermen approved an ordinance and accompanying resolution creating the new fee that will be applied to all city households, businesses, industries and even non-profit organizations, churches and schools.
“I’m really disappointed that there is no one else here, besides Mr. Hardin, because there is an outrage out there,” Alderman Patty Shinners said.
But alderman Tim Kassis said that although he had received plenty of comments, when the need for the utility was explained “they were OK with that. It’s totally fair to spread that out among everyone.”
The formal ordinance was passed on a 5-3 vote, with Joe Kapusta, Shinners and Maggie Turnbull opposed. Vern Cahak was absent.
Under urging from Shinners, the monthly rate per house, known as an equivalent residential unit or ERU, was trimmed by 40 cents a month to $3.52, or $42.24 a year.
Shinners explained that she had reservations about the utility in general, and its effects on non-profit organizations that already contribute so much to the community.
Mayor Bill Brandt said that he agreed with the reduction, which will trim the amount of money the utility will bring in from $450,000 to $400,000 a year.
The mayor said those dollars will be sufficient to enable the city to embark, over time, on storm water projects that are needed, without creating too much of a burden on businesses, industries and property owners.
Under the plan each private residence will pay one ERU per month. Rates for duplexes and apartments, industries and businesses would be based on a charge formula that includes credits. Duplexes would be charged one-half an ERU per unit.
The business charges will be more complex, based on the total square footage of impervious area of the property divided by the square footage of one ERU, figured at 3,069 square feet.
Impervious surfaces are areas such as blacktop parking lots and roofs which rainwater will run off, ending up in the storm water system. Not included are lawns and landscaped areas which allow water to soak into the ground.
The maximum credit will be a 50 percent reduction based on factors such as the use of water retention basins, direct discharge of runoff and other case-by-case situations.
Shinners said she had sought additional credits for industries, especially those that treat all their runoff on site. That idea failed at the committee level.
The rates and charges would go into effect after the publication of the ordinance in early 2010.
Storm water maintenance now costs $178,000 a year, financed through the general property tax levy. Two priority drainage system improvements—between Saratoga Park and Deleglise Street and between Elm Street and First Avenue and Hogan Street—would cost $780,000.
Storm water utilities are increasingly common across the state. Rates range from under $20 per household annually in Lake Delton, Watertown and Grantsburg to over $80 a year in Milwaukee, Brown Deer, Harrison, Little Chute and Appleton.
|
|
|
