Another onerous tax from the minions at city hall.
A ludicrous idea that rain and snow melt from impervious surfaces (roofs, driveways etc.) should be charged an extra tax or levy on the semi annual utility bill.
The charges on this utility bill have already increased more than 50 per cent since August of 2009, well beyond the rate of inflation for that period. A consultant has been hired to devise a plan how to implement this and extract more money from the over-taxed property owners of this city.
The vast majority of residential properties in this city are built on gravel or sand and water run off from impervious surfaces percolates very quickly into the ground within the property boundaries. Storm water that flows into a gutter then down a catch basin and enters the storm sewer comes almost exclusively from streets, roads and large surfaced paved parking lots.
Devising a rate structure for residential owners based on the square footage of non porous areas on ones property is bizarre, totally ridiculous and makes no common sense.
The already existing funds for the upkeep and general maintenance for storm sewers is already looked after in the city's general fund paid by the present city tax structure and that is where it should stay.
Also to be taken into consideration are the fringe areas of the city that have no storm water drainage lines. Are property owners in these areas going to be charged a fee?
When this item comes up for discussion at a council meeting hopefully our elected councilors will see the light of day and kick this idea into the trash bin where it
belongs never to be resurrected again.
Al Cameron
Prince George
