Original story posted on wthr.com
One of the many issues facing the Indianapolis North Flood Damage Reduction Project is the lack of available funding from the City. The City-County Council approving the water rate increase will help to fund projects such as ours!
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Council passes increase on storm water fees
Posted: Dec 01, 2014 6:46 PM EST Updated: Dec 01, 2014 8:48 PM EST
By Mary Milz, WTHR Citybeat reporter
INDIANAPOLIS – A majority of Marion County homeowners could soon be paying more in storm water fees.
Monday night, the City-County Council approved a new rate structure to help address storm water infrastructure needs. The measure passed by a 17-11 vote.
Currently, residential customers pay a flat fee of $2.25 a month. Department of Public Works spokesperson Stephanie Wilson said under the new rate structure, they would be charged based on the amount of “impervious surface area” on their property or any surface that doesn’t absorb water. That includes surfaces such as an asphalt driveway or concrete patio.
Wilson said the new monthly billing rate would be $1.10 per 1,000 square feet of impervious surface area.
She said, under the new fee structure, 40% of homeowners would pay $3.30/month, 20% would pay $4.40/month, 20% would pay less than $2.25/month and 20% would pay more than $4.40/month.
The changes do include a built-in escalator of five cents on the monthly billing rate. Wilson said someone who pays $3.30/month under the new rate would pay about $3.80/month in ten years.
Wilson said that compares to the $4.95/month Fishers residents now pay and the $6/month homeowners in Muncie pay.
If approved, the new rates would take effect July 1, 2015. The fees show up on a homeowner’s annual property tax bill.
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