New Drainage Fee. Has the city gotten this desperate for $$$ (Houston: how much, house)

[stoneclaw]

Hey yall,

I just want to know what you all think about the new drainage charge that's going to be added to the water bills that was passed last Noember? It's set to go start in July.

I didn't vote on it but it passed by a 1% margin. Did someone do something crooked to pass it over like pay someone to vote it to put it over the top?

First, the city (well Mayor Parker) pulled a metro and misled the public during election time by saying it would only be a $5.00 additional charge added to the water bill. Now they're saying that it could range based on the square footage of impervious space (or non absorbtion)the building or residence. Some of them are as high as $14.00 extra per month.

First, the city of Houston already has some extremely high water and sewer rates. Drainage should already be paid for to improve drainage of streets and flooding already. They go up on the water rates every year. I just think it's wrong that because the city is in all this debt, they have to deceive and rob the public. Just because there may have been some crooked activity going on by these leaders, I don't think the public should be punished.

What do you all think about it. Do you approve or disapprive?

[testmo]

i remember back during the floods all the people complaining about why the city doesnt solve its drainage issues. i dont own a mcmansion as i like to conserve space so my increase is manageable. i am not against paying taxes to start solving a problem.

[EasilyAmused]

My estimate came in and it will be $15.00 a month.

Concreted area includes house & garage foundation, driveway and pool/patio decking. They must have used their Google Earth magic to see in everyone's backyards.

[testmo]

you can dispute the sqft of space they are basing their prices on. they included the paperwork to do this in the notice

[txstate]

Its great for the city in terms of rebuilding houston's drainage and infastructure needs that the city lacks. Most of the the revenue will come from metro, bush, hobby, reliant, minute maid park, and other big properties that use city services. Also residents in the Missouri City ( Ft Bend Houston) section and kingwood have to pay as well. link www.rebuildhouston.org you can type your own address and see your charge.
Remember if you dispute you must have valid supporting documentation including pictures and square footage numbers.

[dv1033]

Win win in my book. The environmental costs of unplanned sprawl that is Houston can be put off, but they won't go away.

If you look into flood management projects, you will see many of them including/using public green space in flood mitigation so we get flood relief and more parks. Again win win.

[RocketSci]

Originally Posted by stoneclaw

Hey yall,

I just want to know what you all think about the new drainage charge that's going to be added to the water bills that was passed last Noember? It's set to go start in July.

I didn't vote on it but it passed by a 1% margin. Did someone do something crooked to pass it over like pay someone to vote it to put it over the top?

First, the city (well Mayor Parker) pulled a metro and misled the public during election time by saying it would only be a $5.00 additional charge added to the water bill. Now they're saying that it could range based on the square footage of impervious space (or non absorbtion)the building or residence. Some of them are as high as $14.00 extra per month.

First, the city of Houston already has some extremely high water and sewer rates. Drainage should already be paid for to improve drainage of streets and flooding already. They go up on the water rates every year. I just think it's wrong that because the city is in all this debt, they have to deceive and rob the public. Just because there may have been some crooked activity going on by these leaders, I don't think the public should be punished.

What do you all think about it. Do you approve or disapprive?

Yes, it should have been a priority to improve the streets and flooding, but the tax structure and funding obviously does not work.

The drainage fee, as long as it remains a dedicated fund, is the only hope we currently have of reducing flooding and improving area drainage.

If we expect any changes under the previous tax and finance scheme, then flood control has to line up along with firefighters and teachers for priority.

[stoneclaw]

None of you guys think this new drainage fee is a little scandalous?

I mean on the voting ballot, it mislead everyone and said it would be estimated to be about $5.00 per month. Easily Amused, $14.00/month is a long way from $5 isn't it.

And plus, one would think that the drainage is already being paid for through the sewer rates that come with your water bill already. The city is in ovber 90 million dollar debt and has already begun layoffs and payraise freezes. How much do you think is actually going to really be spent on this drainage? I bet after 10 years, Houston is still going to have its flooding problem.

[predatorprey]

Prime example of a bill that "you gotta pass it before you know what is in it."

[txstate]

It will pay for itself in 10-20 yrs in new streets ( clay grounds ) better drainage gutters and ditches. Wider bayous and pumping stations.