City of Hagerstown to consider pushing back stormwater fee start
City of Hagerstown to consider pushing back stormwater fee start
A proposed stormwater management fee for Hagerstown residents may be pushed back from July to October or January.
The Hagerstown City Council voted unanimously in a virtual special session on April 7 to introduce an ordinance implementing the fee, which will cost the average city homeowner between $32 and $64 a year. That figure could rise to $100 by fiscal year 2030, city officials said previously.
During a virtual work session Tuesday, City Finance Director Michelle Hepburn suggested the council consider delaying the fee's implementation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said it is still important to move forward with the storm management program on the original timeline "because the needs aren't going to be alleviated."
The Stormwater Management Program is supposed to maintain and preserve the existing storm drainage system, limit flooding and runoff-related damages, improve the quality of the water in the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay through the construction of new treatment facilities and the retrofit of existing facilities; and comply with permit requirements issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to council documents.
The council also voted on April 7 to introduce an ordinance changing the city code so the city takes over curb and sidewalk maintenance and repair from residents, saving homeowners on average $2,000 for repairs through the program.
Hepburn said the program is budgeted for $1.3 million in operating expenses in fiscal year 2021 and $2.5 million in stormwater capital expenses. She said the new program fund would likely get starting money from the general fund, so the process would only differ by which quarter customers are first billed.
Mayor Bob Bruchey said it was a "fluid endeavor" due to unknowns related to the new coronavirus.
The council is scheduled to vote on ordinances related to the program and fee during the April 28 regular session.
According to council documents, the council could vote on the resolution to set the the stormwater utility fee rate and start date on May 26.
Councilman Austin Heffernan said with so many people at home now, it would be a good time to put out information about how to eventually lower bills through the program's incentive program.
City Engineer Rodney Tissue said he could put together a fact sheet to distribute.
Alexis Fitzpatrick covers the City of Hagerstown. She can be reached by email at afitzpatrick@herald-mail.com.
