Public Hearing on Storm Water Fees--Appeal or Seek Credits

One of those rising fees has stirred up Chattanooga business owners.

Their storm water fees have tripled since last year.

If you have a business, that fee could mean the difference between survival or bankruptcy.

City leaders held a public meeting this afternoon to explain the issue and hear from the public.

It was the kind of meeting only a veteran politician, or a business owner with money on the line could love. It was three and a half hours of discussion and input without a break, .based on the EPA un-funded mandate to the city. EPA says--- uncontrolled and unfiltered rainwater flowing into the river must stop.

But there's a way to ease the pain.

MAYOR RON LITTLEFIELD "There are ways to mitigate the cost and to mitigate the problem..and that's really what we want to do."

But it may have been the suddenness that has citizens demanding answers. Why now, and why so high? The simple answer is---EPA has been warning the city for almost 20 years to do it and storm water fees have not been raised since 1993.

But the city wants homeowners and businesses to know there's a way to reduce the charge with credits up to 75% of the fee.

Developer Bill Raines says that 75% reduction should become permanent.

BILL RAINES, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER "I don't know why the 75% should only apply the first year ....If the end water running off is ok after the first year..it should be permanent."

Other business owners, who have most of the impervious areas---things like big parking lots and large roofs, are seeing storm water bills in the thousands of dollars. But some questioned how it was done.

BRENDA FAIRCHILD, BUSINESS OWNER "There's absolutely no communication between the government and the residences or small business people..we should have had this..instead of getting this on our bill."

GARY BALL, DEVELOPER "Are we reducing the contaminants coming from these areas....or are we simply working on the private property owners? "

Mayor Littlefield held his position that there's no way around the federally mandated program but he stressed that the various credit programs can reduce the fee.

He added, the city is open to suggestions on how to make the program work better.

The information and forms needed to appeal your storm water fee, or to apply for a credit, are all on line at the City of Chattanooga web site.

Other information is available through the city's 3-1-1 number.