Storm Water Utility Rate Increase Proposed
The Storm Water Utility continues to work aggressively to address a backlog of drainage problems throughout the city. The overall need for storm water projects is estimated at more than $1 billion — and growing.
Flash flooding in Fort Worth has resulted in 16 deaths and extensive property damage in the past 23 years. To continue making steady progress toward the level of protection called for by the community when the Storm Water Utility was established, a fee increase is being proposed.
The proposed fee for 2010 is $4.75 per month per equivalent residential unit (ERU). The base fee for 2009 was $3.90 per month per ERU. An ERU is 2,600 square feet of hard surface (for example, pavement and buildings).
Under the proposed rates, the average single-family residential property owner would pay $4.75 per month, an increase of about 22 percent or 85 cents. Other property owners would pay $4.75 per month per ERU, based on the amount of hard-surface area on their property.The additional revenue generated by the proposed increase would primarily go toward paying debt service on $45 million in revenue bonds that will be sold soon to fund the design and construction of capital improvement projects in 2010 and 2011.
Fort Worth property owners can express their views on the proposed fee increase at a public hearing at the Fort Worth City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 in the City Council Chamber, 1000 Throckmorton St.
Source: City of Fort Worth