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What is Stormwater Runoff?
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Stormwater
runoff is water that drains off houses, rooftops, driveways,
sidewalks, parking lots, roads and other surfaces that do not allow
rainfall to soak into the ground when it rains. This stormwater
runoff then flows into the City drainage system and, eventually,
into our streams and creeks including the Flint River.
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How is
stormwater runoff a problem?
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All developed properties in a community that have manmade surfaces
and structures contribute stormwater runoff to the City drainage
system and, in some cases, to flooding problems. In addition to
potential flooding problems, the stormwater runoff washes chemicals,
trash and other pollution into the drainage system and our local
creeks. Old and damaged pipe systems have created a need for the
City to develop and implement a more comprehensive stormwater
management program to address drainage system maintenance issues as
well as other high priority projects.
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How does the City
intend to deal with these problems?
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The City stormwater management program will undertake various
activities including the cleaning of ditches; replacement of aging
pipes and structures; and the construction of new pipe systems to
improve flow.
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How
does the City plan to address its multiple drainage needs and
priorities?
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The Mayor and City Council considered the implementation of a Stormwater Utility and stormwater user fee charge to address the
Citys drainage needs discussed above. All the user fee revenues
will be dedicated solely to funding stormwater management and
drainage system activities. The Stormwater Utility would
service all residences, businesses, institutions and government
facilities because all developed properties generate stormwater
runoff.
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What
is Stormwater Utility?
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A Stormwater Utility is an entity whose purpose is to provide
services related to stormwater management. Each user (customer) is
charged a fee for the service provided.
What is a
Stormwater User Fee?
A Stormwater User Fee is a charge for stormwater management services
provided by the City to all residential and non-residential
properties in the City. The user fee revenue collected can only be
utilized for the provision of stormwater management services.
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How do you set a
user fee charge for an individual property?
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The user fee charge is based on the amount of impervious surfaces on
a parcel. Impervious surface means those areas which prevent the
natural absorption of rainfall and stormwater runoff. Common
impervious surfaces include rooftops, buildings or structures,
sidewalks, walkways, patio areas, roads and streets, driveways,
parking lots, storage areas and other surfaces such as compacted
soil and gravel. The square footage of impervious surface on a
property has a direct correlation to the amount of stormwater runoff
that flows off that property.
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How would my user fee bill be calculated?
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The user
fee is based on a billing unit or Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)
that is based on impervious surface. One billing unit (or ERU) will
be equal to $4.00 per month.
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A
stormwater user fee billing unit (or 1 ERU) is the average amount
of impervious area on a typical single family property in Americus.
Under the current proposal all single
family residential properties will be charged a flat rate of $4.00
per month (or $48 per year) for stormwater services.
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All
non-residential properties would be charged a custom amount that is
based on the total square footage area of impervious surface on
their property. For example, if a shopping center had roughly 20
times the amount of impervious surface as a typical residential
property then the shopping center would be charged a monthly
stormwater user fee charge that is 20 times larger than the
residential charge.
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What if my property has a detention pond?
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Customers and properties that operate and maintain a stormwater
detention pond might be eligible for a credit (or reduction) against
the monthly stormwater user fee charge. Customers should contact
the City at (229) 924-7111 regarding the available credit application procedures (see
Credit Manual).
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How does this user fee amount compare to other Georgia communities?
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The
typical user fee rate per ERU for the existing utilities in Georgia
is approximately $3.75 per month.
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Why did the City considering a stormwater user fee charge to fund
stormwater management services?
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Based on a detailed assessment of the Citys current Public Works
operation, the City Council has concluded that additional
resources are needed to address various drainage system and
stormwater management needs in the City. The City Council believes
that institution of a stormwater user fee charge, as opposed to a
property tax increase, is the most fair, equitable and stable way to
fund the future stormwater program. The user fee would not be based
on the assessed value of a property like a tax; rather it is based
on the amount of stormwater runoff that the property generates from
its impervious surface. Each customers stormwater runoff amount
results in the City having to provide an adequate drainage system to
deal with the water. In general, stormwater services will be
provided to customers by the City -- similar to water, sewer, and
sanitation services. An additional benefit of a Stormwater Utility
is that all stormwater user fee revenues must be spent on
stormwater and drainage related issues whereas tax revenues are not
subject to such restrictions. In contrast, property tax revenues
can be spent on any City budget item.
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In the past, how have stormwater services
been funded?
In the past, drainage system operation and repair activities have
been funded by the annual City budget which is made up of
various tax revenue sources. This process has proved to be
inadequate and unstable from year to year due to the nature of
competing priorities within the Citys annual budgeting process and
reduced sales tax revenues. The Stormwater Utility was
established to fund a more comprehensive stormwater program without
drawing additional funding away from other City priorities such as
Public Safety.
Isn't this just another tax?
A stormwater user fee charge is not a tax. Although the stormwater
user fee is an additional cost to customers, it is not a tax because
it bears little or no relation to the taxable value of a property.
If a property is developed and generates stormwater runoff, the
customer will be charged a stormwater user fee charge based on the
amount of runoff discharged from the property and the stormwater
services provided by the City to handle that runoff amount through
the City drainage system.
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Would
churches and other tax-exempt properties be required to pay the
stormwater user fee?
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Yes, all developed properties within the City limits that have
impervious areas will be charged a stormwater user fee regardless of
ownership or property tax status. All impervious surfaces (e.g.
parking lots and rooftops) contribute stormwater runoff, and
therefore, all customers would share the implementation cost of the
Citys stormwater management program.
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Is there any way to reduce the Stormwater Fee that is being charged?
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Both residential and non-residential customers may be able to apply
for credits to reduce their stormwater user fee charge by following
the procedures that are outlined in the
Stormwater
Utility Credit Manual. The credits will be based on those methods
used to directly reduce the impact of stormwater runoff on the
Citys drainage system.
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What will be
the frequency of billing and the billing mechanism?
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The stormwater user fee charge will be billed on your existing City
of Americus monthly public utility bill. If you do not receive a
monthly utility bill from the City, a new account will be set up for
you and a stormwater services bill will be delivered to you.
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Who do I call if I have additional
questions?
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Contact the City of Americus Public Works Department with any questions at
(229) 924-7111.
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How do I learn more about Americus's
stormwater utility?
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Please visit the City of Americus
Stormwater Unitility Management website.
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