Hi, Tom - just for clarification, you may want mention this is for stormwater and not waste water (sewer). :o)

As part of the Storm Water Utility Fee, the city has set up a Stormwater Utility fee credit. I'm pleased to see that credits were included.

Here's how it works. If a res/bus chooses to pursue, the credit will represent, a reduction in the customer's Stormwater Utility service fee. The credit is only applicable for instances where stormwater management best management practices (BMPs) are operated and maintained to reduce the impact of runoff from the subject property on the City's stormwater management systems or in recognition of activities undertaken by the customer to reduce the cost of operating the stormwater management program.

Property owners have several activities they can participate in to lower their fee. Some of the ways homeowners can reduce their fee is by installing Rain Barrels, applying for a "Low Impact Parcel" credit and through a Residential Environmental Technology Credit (i.e., Rain gardens). Homeowners can reduce their annual fee by as much as 40%. While the are savings are small, they are savings, nonetheless.

As the fee increases in the coming years, I would hope that the "credits" would also increase proportionally to that of the fee increase. As a wish list, I would like to see options incorporated that could potentially save property owners as much at 75% off their monthly fee. Links to the Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Manual & application documents can be accessed on the City's website at http://bit.ly/znVNyV