On July 12, 2004 the City Council adopted the Stormwater Management Utility Ordinance establishing a Stormwater Utility and stormwater fee rate structure. This Stormwater Management Program is mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). All money collected can only be used for the Stormwater Utility.
We would like to invite you to participate in making the City of Stockbridge a cleaner and better place to live. There are programs and workshops being developed and we invite everyone to participate. Twice a year we will have storm drain marking projects and we are looking for volunteers to participate in this program. Please call Melinda Davies at 770-389-7867 for more information.
Answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Is this a tax?
No, the stormwater fee is just that, a fee for services.
Who has to pay?
Anyone owning developed property in the City of Stockbridge.
Why is my bill $35.06 if my house is less than 10,000 sq. ft.?
The break point of 10,000 sq. ft. is lot size not house size. There are 43,560 sq. ft. per acre so 10,000 sq. ft. is less than ¼ acre.
Why is my business bill so much higher than my home even though lot size is about the same?
Bills are calculated on total square feet of impervious area. Homes fall in one of two tiers so bills are either $19.36 of $35.06, each business impervious area was measured and a bill was calculated. The formula is the same for business and residential.(See the News Release Flier dated August 2004)
We are tax exempt; so do we have to pay the Stormwater Fee?
Yes, since this is a fee and not a tax no one is exempt including the Cities and Counties.
How does this benefit me?
A Stormwater Utility helps reduce flash flooding, reduce litter in our street and creeks and helps insures our drinking water of the future will be drinkable. Check out our brochure for more benefits and things you can do to help.
Links to additional Stormwater information:
http://www.co.henry.ga.us/Stormwater/index.htm