Tonight, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners introduced Ordinance (Bill No. 11-11) establishing a fee for storm water collection and management. The Mt. Lebanon Commission has included the establishment of a storm water fee in its 2011 budget with anticipated adoption of the required ordinance and billing beginning by the September 1st of 2011. A public hearing on this matter will be held on July 12, 2011.
The presentation as well as a set of Frequently Asked Questions is available by clicking on the links below:
Additional Questions can be directed to stormwater@mtlebanon.org
Read more: http://www.mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?nid=2036
Read more: http://www.mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?nid=2036
4 comments:
Now they are taxing us for the rain from the heavens to pay for faulty infrastructure design and maintenance not done.
What will the municipality do with the tax money it already collects that should pay for the same?
How much are we paying Jordan Tax Service extra to mail bills, process payments and collections?
Why is the school district getting a special break even though it is the biggest non-pervious offender? What guarantee do we have that the storm sewer system will function properly after we pay a special fee for it?
David Huston
Would the net after tax cost of this scheme to taxpayers be less, equal or more if on a fee or tax bases ? The Muni is asserting, without providing proof, that a fee basis is better for the simple reason that all property owners, including tax exempt, will pay.
What do you think ?
Bill Lewis
David,
I stayed after the meeting last night and talked with a commissioner and the engineer. My street was fixed last year. They replaced the pipes to correct the flooding our street was experiencing. I was one of those people who would get three or four feet of water in my basement and garage. They need to raise about a million dollars a year. All non-profits are getting breaks provided they make the necessary changes to qualify for those breaks. That is why the Municipality wants to charge a fee instead of a tax, so that the offenders, who are tax-exempt, contribute. As this commissioner pointed out to me, the School District has tied their hands. The Commissioners are looking to raise a million dollars while the School District wrecklessly (my word, not his) looks to spend $113 million. I asked the two gentlemen last night when they would start using this stormwater fee, and their answer was 2011. I hope that answers some of your questions. I am not happy dishing out more money, but this is the fairest way to pay for an aging infrastructure. And my street is proof that it is being done correctly, knock on wood! :)
Elaine
Elaine,
The Muni argument that non-profits and tax exempts will also pay in a fee basis rather than just taxpayers in a taxable only basis, which is better and less expensive for taxpayers, etc. is misleading if not specious.
The principal tax exempts in Lebo are the School District and the Muni. Where do you think they will get the funds to pay the new storm water fees ? Right..from increased real estate millage ! Who pays the millage ? Right....taxable property owners like you, me and several thousand others !
In the case of all the houses of worship in Lebo....where will they get the money to pay the new storm water fees ? Right...from increased contributions from their members, almost all of whom also happen to be taxpayers.
The same goes for the tax exempt portions of the hospital, nursing homes, hospice, etc., etc..
Don't automatically believe what a government (or school district) says is best for you. The devil is always in the details...remember ?
Bill Lewis
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