The city has added a drainage system utility
fee to both residents’ and commercial customers’ monthly utility bill. Bills
went out Jan. 22 reflecting the fee.
The
city re-instituted the fee for the drainage utility, formerly called the stormwater
utility, in December. The drainage utility is responsible for operating
and maintaining the city’s stormwater system, which provides drainage services
to properties in the city.
Residents
who live primarily in the southern section of the city and are served by pipes
will pay $3.76 a month. Those who live in the northern section of the city and are
served primarily by grassy swales will pay $4.13 a month. The fee will be included
on monthly bills along with sewer, water, street lights and garbage fees.
Like other vital utility services, users are charged a fee
for the service of controlling stormwater. The drainage system utility fee
applies to all properties, including homes, businesses, schools, government,
and non-profit organizations that use the system. These fees provide a dedicated revenue
stream, which is used only on stormwater system maintenance, operations,
systems planning, and construction.
“Cities often use
utility service fees to fund their drainage program,” said John
Ghilarducci of the FCS consulting group,
which conducted
a rate study of drainage fees for the city. “By reinstating the fees, Coeur d’Alene will be
able to provide stable revenue to meet the total costs of providing drainage
service to property owners.”
A primary function of a drainage program is that the utility, for
a fee, takes on the individual property owners’ responsibility for stormwater
and regulatory compliance. Stormwater must meet federal, state, and local
regulations, most prominent among them being National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements.
Forms and information can be found online at www.cdaid.org or a customer service
representative can mail or fax the form to a property owner. Customers who do not agree with the drainage
system utility fee calculation may
contact Utility Billing at 769-2223 or 769-2300. City representatives can answer your
stormwater questions. If, after
contacting the city, you still feel your drainage fee is incorrect, you may
request that the fee be recalculated and ultimately, you may appeal the fee to
the City Council.
For more information about the drainage system and fees, click here for FAQs.
For more information about the drainage system and fees, click here for FAQs.
