Aug 12, 2014 | The Melbourne City Council met in Special Session to consider raising the Stormwater Assessment Fee from $36 to $52 for fiscal year 2015 and then to $64 for fiscal year 2016. Jenni Lamb, the city engineer, gave a detailed presentation explaining how the increased monies raised from the assessment fee would be used for stormwater projects to improve the health of the Lagoon. She said the City would be challenged to meet the State mandated requirements of nutrient reductions to the lagoon and that the 40 plus projects she had worked up would take many years to complete, costing nearly $20 million. Even with these projects completed Melbourne would still need to do more in future years to reach the goal of reducing approximately 100,000 lbs of nitrogen and phosphorus per year from entering the IRL. She reiterated that it was important for the City to make an effort even though the goal was daunting. Council Member Knowlin asked her if the city had contacted their state and federal lobbyist to find other monies for these future projects. At the public hearing about 8 residents spoke against the fee increase including County Commissioner candidate, David Armstrong. Some of the speakers cited financial hardship from the recession, others were confused about who was doing the pollution and some were concerned that the plan for using the money wasnt going to pay for all that was needed to help the Lagoon. Two IRL advocates spoke in favor of the fee increase. After the public hearing, Council member Tasker offered a compromise to the proposal. Melbourne would only increase the Stormwater Assessment Fee to $48 for the next fiscal year, an increase of $8 or 67 cents a month. The City of Melbourne has around 39,000 water connections. The fee increase passed with only Knowlin dissenting. Council member Thomas did not attend.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 02:27:24 +0000
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