[Mpls] Stormwatergate

[David Brauer]

Notwithstanding Jim's water-bill situation, the city said late last year
that the average homeowner would pay $1.11 less each month with the new
storm water charge.

(It's not so much a new tax as it is a splitting of the water bill into two
components. Splitting out the stormwater component is primarily aimed at
parking lot owners; they pay nothing into the sewer system because they use
no water; however,  the runoff from their lots goes into the system and this
is a way to get them to pay for the upkeep - or have incentive to lessen
runoff.)

For some background, see:
http://www.swjournal.com/articles/2004/10/21/news/news07.txt

and

http://www.swjournal.com/articles/2004/11/17/news/news03.txt

Even if overall it is revenue-neutral, some will pay more and others less.
The devil is of course in the details, as Jim's story illustrates.

David Brauer
Editor, SW Journal/Skyway News
Kingfield


> -----Original Message-----
> From: mpls-bounces at mnforum.org [mailto:mpls-bounces at mnforum.org] On 
> Behalf Of gemgram
> Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 8:36 PM
> To: mpls at mnforum.org
> Subject: [Mpls] Minneapolis is stealing thousands from poor homeowners
> 
> At the Mayoral debates RT Rybak made the claim that it was his 
> "executive experience" and ability that made a difference.  I assume 
> this means that he is in "executive" control of the new charges for 
> stormwater run off.  I assume he was also a party to the creation of 
> this new "Tax" on people, as well as its implementation.