Southern Wayne Neighborhood Organization

Stormwater Utility Bills

Permanent move to property tax system complete

>>> Paul Whitmore 04/29/03 10:28AM >>>
Permanent move to property tax system complete

INDIANAPOLIS – The City of Indianapolis' Department of Public Works
announced today that more than 32,000 Stormwater Utility Bills will be
mailed to customers in Indianapolis this week and early next week.
These bills will be sent to correct previous billing errors or to bill
customers who have not yet paid stormwater fees.

Throughout 2002, the Stormwater Utility billed some residential
customers on existing water/sewer bills and generated separate bills for
remaining homeowners and non-residential customers, churches, schools,
and government entities. During the first round of billing, more than
15,000 errors were identified.

"It's important that we correct previous mistakes and get our billing
system up to date and back on track," said Barbara A. Lawrence, DPW
Director. "This is an important part of the process as the program
moves forward."

In addition to a series of corrected bills, the Marion County
Stormwater Management District is placing 2003 stormwater fees on
property owners' tax statements. Beginning with the spring property tax
statement to be mailed next month, property owners will see an
itemization for the Stormwater Utility Fee.

Under the terms of the ordinance creating the utility, fees must be
billed to each property owner and the inclusion of these fees on the
property tax statement, like solid waste charges, is the most efficient
and accurate way to bill most property owners in Marion County.

"This really is a positive step in the Stormwater Utility program,"
Lawrence added. "We'll be able to better manage the billing program and
turn the revenue into real projects and improvements the public will see
across Indianapolis."

Churches, schools, government agencies and non-profit organizations not
receiving a property tax statement will continue to receive a separate
bill for stormwater fees.

Under the new billing arrangement, the stormwater utility fee remains
the same: $1.25/month for residential customers ($15 annually) and
$1.25/month per 2800 square feet of hard surface for non-residential
customers.

In 2001, the City-County Council created this monthly utility fee to
help fund much-needed drainage improvements in Marion County. The fee
is based on how property affects the drainage system. When it rains or
snow melts, stormwater runs from impervious surfaces (parking lots,
rooftops, sidewalks etc.) into the drainage system.

Funds generated by the stormwater utility fee will be used to benefit
everybody in Marion County. The Stormwater Master Plan identifies more
than 350 needed projects, prioritized to address the most urgent needs
first. Stormwater utility fees can only be used to administer the
utility, fund flood control and drainage projects, operate and maintain
stormwater systems and to make necessary water quality improvements in
Marion County.

Resources:

Marion County Stormwater Management District
PO Box 725
Indianapolis, IN 46206-0725
www.indygov.org/stormwater

Customer Service
1-866-STORM59
(786-7659)

Links

Marion County Stormwater Management District