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4-1 vote OKs $40,000 in fees
by Rick DeClue · News · April 24, 2014
By a 4-1 vote, the West Branch City Council on Monday approved creating a new storm water utility fee expected to generate about $40,000 in new revenues.
The council must pass the ordinance two more times before it is officially adopted.
If approved, the new fee will begin appearing on water bills July 1. The fee for most homeowners is $2 a month, with escalating rates for businesses roughly based on the amount of ground which does not absorb water.
Council member Colton Miller voted against the ordinance.
Approval came with some suggestions for changes in the city’s plan, like helping some residents with the monthly fee, especially those on a fixed income who deem it a hardship.
Resident Jon English asked whether the city could provide a mechanism for residents to apply for relief if they are unable to make their payment.
The fee for single-family homes or each side of a duplex is initially set at $2 per month.
City Administrator Matt Muckler said the city typically works to set up payment arrangements for those behind on their water or sanitary sewer bills, but does not generally forgive amounts due. He added that the West Branch Area Religious Council steps in to help in some situations.
Resident James Thalken suggested the city consider setting up a fund where people may donate to help others in need.
Council member Tim Shields asked whether the city could consider some level of matching funds from its budget next year against the estimated $40,000 in fees generated by the utility.
Council member Jordan Ellyson said this would mean more dollars would be available to accomplish more work on the storm water management system.
Council member Mary Beth Stevenson agreed the city should “shoulder some of this.”
“We as a city need to make sacrifices,” she said.
Miller said that if the city had made sacrifices 20 years ago, the city might not have these problems.
Ellyson responded that “we would have to ask all past city council members about that.”
“I don’t disagree with a (monetary) match,” Mayor Mark Worrell said.
Council member Brian Pierce asked how the council could commit itself in writing, without binding future councils.
Worrell said the first step would be to put the idea for matching city funds in the next council goal-setting session.
He said that, in his experience, a council that puts its intentions in writing can help guide or influence a future council.
Muckler said the city staff starts its initial budget drafts based on these council goals.
Pierce also asked that the city consider annual or bi-annual reviews of the utility’s rate structure, plans and accomplishments.
The mayor supported this review and said specific projects will be considered as part of the city’s focus on a capital improvements plan — one of the current council goals.
Worrell said the first project would likely be storm sewers along West Main Street near Main Street Place. He added that any fees from the utility not used in a budget year would roll forward into the next year. This might even be necessary in order to build up funds over multiple years to pay for larger projects, he said.
The mayor also said that he had received seven or eight questions about the utility’s proposed program offering credits for best practices. These include such things as rain barrels, rain gardens and impervious paving.
Stevenson is preparing a possible structure for the rebate program for the council.
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