Caroline,

There is a large firm here in the States that surveys municipalities every
couple of years concerning their rate structures and revenues. For the life
of me, I can't seem to remember which firm does this. However, I am sure
that one of the other subscribers may remember.

Here in Lacey, we have a straight rate for residential and duplex
($6.50/month res and $13 for duplex). Anything else is considered a
commercial property and is charged on a sliding scale based on the
percentage of impervious area to total area. The commercial rates range from
$2.96/mnth/acre for undeveloped prop. to $63/mnth/acre for 90% ~100%
impervious. This structure seems to provide an adequate enterprise funding
structure that funds only stormwater utility activities.

However, many of our commercial property owners are not happy with this
structure. Without going into too many details, let me just say that there
are some valid arguments of inequities. We have had our current structure
(minus increases) since '93. But I will be implementing a rate and structure
analysis within the next year because of rate inequities.

Eric Hielema, P.E.
Water Resources Engineer
City of Lacey
P.O. Box 3400
Lacey, WA 98509-3400
360.438.2686

"We never know the worth of water 'til the well runs dry" - English proverb



Message: 1
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 13:45:16 +1200
From: "Caroline Boot" <caroline.boot@...>
Subject: STORMWATER article titled Designing Stormwater user Fees

Hi

I am looking for some information about stormwater user charges, and hope
you may be able to help me.

Specifically, I am after any information on:

* Where in the world do councils use a concrete tax to gather revenue
specifically to address stormwater issues
* How is that tax set - is it based on the area of impervious surface
on each rateable property
* How long have they been gathering rates for this - did the elected
officials take a bit of convincing before it was implemented
* Are the funds specifically targeted to stormwater or does the money
go into a general pool for council spending

I'd be grateful for some leads!

Many thanks
Caroline Boot
Plan A Ltd

Phone 021 722 005
0800 PLAN AA (752 622)

PO Box 109 422
Newmarket
Auckland
New Zealand

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