Drop Storm Water Fee Assessment Proposal

Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (E.P.D) has made a proposal to assess a storm water fee on all Alachua County Residents on June 13, 2017.

The E.P.D states without evidence or facts that in the past decade storm water runoff from developed property has caused water pollution, flooding and a collection of standing water on streets and roads in Alachua County.
They stated that, Alachua County has initiated an effort to improve storm water management services which we feel should be the daily goal of the works department by utilizing current funding.

They also state that they are looking for a means to provide a dedicated funding source to help restore clean water to local creeks, lakes, Springs, rivers and our drinking water aquifer.

The E.P.D stated that there is a problem now with storm water runoff from all Alachua County developed property.
Alachua County property was developed in accordance with building codes which included storm water runoff calculations and drainage infrastructure required. These requirements were completed to the building code. Each development was approved by county on completion and the cost of the service was then passed on to the property owner.

The current problems that exist with standing water of flooding is property in some flood prone areas where building was allowed.
The E.P.D states that they plan to correct problems in these areas first and we may not see any service improvements for a while.

The subdivisions in question here have no drainage problems or standing water. The infrastructure needs cleaning but no repair or replacement. We feel that the needed maintenance should have been accomplished on a routine bases over the past 3 decades.

Because water pollution and restoration of clean water to local creeks, lakes, springs, rivers, and our drinking water aquifer is for the benefit of all of Alachua County (city and county alike) the fund source should come from all citizens in the form of property tax.

The current proposed assessment should be dropped and the provision in our current tax structure utilized to provide whatever additional funding necessary to accomplish required tasks.

All funds should be provided through an increase in property taxes if needed.