We’ve been tracking the progress of HB 1522, or the
stormwater utility fees bill, this spring. Now that this measure has passed
both houses and is on the desk of Governor Quinn, we’re delving into what
stormwater utility fees are, and what they might mean for Illinois residents.
What are stormwater
utility fees?
A stormwater utility manages the rainwater running off
houses, driveways, roadways, parking lots, and buildings of a municipality. Just
as the electrical utilities charge for their product, so the stormwater utility
relies on a fee for managing the extra runoff of a city. Since a local
government usually manages the stormwater utility, the fee is often regarded as
an additional tax. However, since the fee is charged for use of the utility, Illinois
courts have ruled it a fee that even traditionally tax-exempt organizations
like churches and schools must pay.
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning provides an
extensive overview of stormwater utilities here.
How much will it cost?
That largely depends on the funding structure adopted by
your municipality. Champaign, IL, where several IWRC staff members happen to
live, is using a graduated
system based on the square footage of the impervious surface of a
residence. For example, a home having between 500 and 6000 sf of impervious surface
(including the driveway, deck, patios, etc.) will pay $4.94 a month, while
homes between 6001 sf and 8000 sf will pay $10.55 per month. Any building other
than a single family home will be billed $1.51 per 1000 sf per month. The City
of Bloomington, IL charges fees based on the square footage of a property, and,
for larger properties, even relies on aerial photography to determine how much
runoff a property contributes. Some areas, like Bay County in
Florida, have opted to charge a simple flat, annual fee of between $40 and $200.
Since HB 1522 applies to DuPage and Peoria counties, it’s up to those counties
to decide how the fees will be structured.
Is there a way to
reduce the fee?
HB 1522 included language directing counties to provide fee
credits for property improvements that decrease stormwater or improve water
quality. In Champaign, these improvements can include things like rain barrels,
rain gardens, and green roofs. Bay County, FL waives the fee for qualified
senior citizens, disabled veterans, and disabled persons, while Minneapolis, MN
applies credits for either water quality or quantity improvements from actions like installing ponds or pervious pavement.
If your school wants to create a rain garden as part of
their stormwater reduction efforts, check out this small grant program
for some help.
