Stormwater exemption
Posted Jun 7, 2010 04:56:36 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The City of Kitchener is giving churches and charities a break on stormwater fees.
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee decided today that they will not start charging those groups for the services.
However, faith groups will be encouraged to manage stormwater themselves and will be asked to educate their congregations and memberships about stormwater initiatives.
Committee chair Berry Vrbanovic says the exemption could cost the city a few hundred thousand dollars.
But he says a fund set up for rebates will help make up for that shortfall.
Schools will not be exempt from the new rate schedule but won’t start paying the fees until the province decides if the city has the authority to charge the boards.
Vrbanovic says changes to the way stormwater services are paid for will shift responsibility from residential to non-residential properties.
That could save homeowners about a $1.50 a month.
Council is expected to give the plan final approval next Monday.
