County battles $193 million storm water damage problem
New tax on property aims to raise $$ to repair system
Posted 11/12/20
By Jerry Bellune
JerryBellune@yahoo.com
Storm water problems cost Lexington County an estimated $3 million a year.
To repair the damage, county officials estimate they need $114 …
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County battles $193 million storm water damage problem
New tax on property aims to raise $$ to repair system
local flooding
Posted
By Jerry Bellune
JerryBellune@yahoo.com
Storm water problems cost Lexington County an estimated $3 million a year.
To repair the damage, county officials estimate they need $114 million for storm water system repairs and $76 million for community flooding problems.
County officials are considering an annual tax on all buildings including homes, businesses, churches and schools to raise the money needed.
Critics say the tax may be unfair because certain over-developed parts of the county, particularly north of Lake Murray, is where the major problems are.
The tax, they say, would have to be paid even by property owners in areas where storm water is not a problem.
The Town of Lexington has refused to participate.
Property owners' taxes will be based on an estimate of the additional storm water runoff it sends off its property. This estimate is based on the size of rooftops, driveways, parking lots, etc. called "impervious areas."
The average Lexington County home has about 2,800 square feet of impervious area. This is termed the “equivalent residential unit” or ERU.
The estimated monthly storm water tax will be billed annually beginning in October 2021 at $4 - $8 a month per ERU.
County Council plans a public hearing at 6 pm Tuesday, Dec. 8, and a possible final vote Tuesday, Dec. 22.
Keywords
Low-lying, areas, flooding
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