Stormwater Drainage Fees: Important Information

Thanks to Mr. Maurice King, another concerned citizen, for his vigilance in protecting the public. I have recieved interesting information regarding the new Stormwater fee that will soon be assessed to our water bills, and there are many people who have questions and concerns about this new cost, and the Committee meetings that will take place to discuss the details.
Therefore, I am posting some very important facts.
No matter what you may think of this blog, it is in your best interest to read the following:

I am on the storm water drainage committee, which is a dog and pony show. They want to ram the interim fee structure through which would equate to appox. $504K a year for Residential, $311,040K Commercial, $22,320K Industrial, $48,240K Institutional for a total of $885,600.00 appox. income for the first year, and hypothetical expenses of $676,950.00 for the same year, all for Management Related Expenses.
This leaves appox. $233,650K to go to actual drainage projects!!!! This is unacceptable. Also, how are they going to guarantee this fee will be paid by all and not only a few without consequence. We need to take action!
This additional fee to all residents in the City will be next to impossible to stop, because of the Federal Mandate, but we must be sure what is put in place will be fair to all, and will be paid by all (emphasis added).

Upon further questioning about this Stormwater Drainage program, Mr. King sent the following, which I found quite interesting:

It is a federal, as well as a state, program. I will quote a small section of one of the handouts we received, quote: "The City is required, by way of the federal program known as 'Phase II' and the state program known as 'Rule 13', to develop, document and implement a Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP)".
I verified this by calling both the EPA and IDEM, but I also found that the deadline is May 2006 before any possible action can be taken by the State.
At the first meeting I also found out this Committee first started meeting last year, and had their last meeting in Oct. 2004. Now they want to ram it through and I have a problem with that. Supposedly, this is mandated for all cities and counties in our state and other states as well.
My primary concern is that the Administration, from the Mayor on down, be better stewards of our money and pursue those among us that do not pay their way, (ex. delinquent sewer, garbage, etc), aggressively.
The hearing notification is another good example of this administrations lack of concern and/or desire for citizen involvement in a decision which will affect them for a possible lifetime!!! Oh sure, they have met their legal requirement by placing the add, but how many people read the Legals, and especially on Sunday in the Tribune. Why was't it on the front page of the Tribune and in the Indiana section of the Courier? I'm waiting to see if it is in the Monday's edition of the Courier to inform those that do not take the Sunday Tribune.

So, here is the information about the meetings:
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept.26th at 6:15 pm in the Assembly Room on 3rd floor City County Bldg. I feel it is imperative more residents get involved in this process.
As the notice states, " interested public stakeholders are welcome". The $3.00 per residence is just a starting point. Who knows where this final fee base number will stop!!
If just a couple of representatives from each neighborhood association would attend we would all hear the same thing and could relay this to our fellow taxpayers.
Again, Monday night at 6:15PM, in the assembly room on the 3rd floor of the City County Bldg., a storm water advisory meeting will be held, and you are invited to attend and offer your ideas.