Rates for storm water utility are approved

By Adam Tobias of the Daily Times staff
Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:15 PM CDT

The Watertown Common Council Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution setting the rates for the storm water utility in the city.

Both taxable and tax exempt property owners will be charged through a formula based on the amount of area on each property causing runoff, which includes garages, roofs, outbuildings, driveways, sidewalks and anything else that prevents storm water runoff from penetrating the ground.

Owners of residential parcels will see a fee of $1.29 per month, or $15.48 annually, added to their sewer and water bill beginning Dec. 1. All residential property owners are being charged the same rate because it would be too costly to measure the exact amount of impervious land on each parcel.

Officials from the Watertown Water Department and associates from the Waukesha-based professional engineering firm Ruekert/Mielke will be working together to determine the amount of impervious land on larger developments in the city, like multifamily housing, retail, commercial and industrial properties.

Revenue from the utility, which is estimated to be about $244,000 from residential parcels, will be used for more frequent sweeper cleaning of streets, repairing catch basins where needed, an extended leaf collection system each fall, repairs to storm sewers and new designs for developments throughout the city which would minimize runoff.

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Alderman Ken Berg said he backed the resolution because the storm water fee would provide some property tax relief. "These funds from the utility would pay for services previously paid for by tax dollars," he added.

The need for this utility is the result of an overall directive from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to help reduce the amount of storm water runoff and to improve the condition of the runoff that does occur.

In other action Tuesday, aldermen approved increasing the taxi fare by 25 cents for most services effective Nov. 1.

Fare for an adult will increase from $2.50 to $2.75, children under 12 years old from $1.50 to $1.75, children with an adult to the same destination from $1 to $1.25, children between 12 to 18 years old from $2 to $2.25, the elderly and disabled persons from $1.50 to $1.75 and corner stop service from $1 to $1.25.

A prescription delivery charge of $3.50 per package will be the only service that will remain the same price.

The increase of taxi fare is the result of the recent spikes in gasoline prices. It was noted without the fare increase there would be a shortfall of $40,000 in next year's budget

Berg said he likes the company that provides the city with the taxi service and noted the rates are still affordable and no local tax dollars are used for the shared-ride program.

The renewal of the shared-ride taxi contract with Passenger Transit, Inc. was approved by the council. The 2006 agreement requires the city pay $761,445, which includes a management fee of $55,141 to be paid to Passenger Transit, Inc. for the administration of the contract.

The contract will require Passenger Transit, Inc. to operate taxi cabs within the corporate city limits of Watertown and all property directly adjacent to the city Monday through Thursday from 5:30 a.m. to midnight. Cabs are also available from 5:30 a.m. to 3:15 a.m. on Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 3:15 a.m. on Saturdays and on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The toll free number to call for assistance and the bus shelter at the intersection of North Third and Madison streets will be shut down Jan. 1, 2006.

Aldermen also approved the 2006 lease agreement with Passenger Transit, Inc., which provides the shared-ride taxi service with 17 vehicles purchased by the city.

Council members authorized city officials to apply for an operating assistance grant in the amount of approximately $710,000 from the state Department of Transportation. These funds are used to help pay for the shared-ride taxi contract with Passenger Transit, Inc.

City officials were also authorized by the council to apply for a $27,500 capital grant for the city's taxi service with the city's share not to exceed $5,500. The grant will be used to purchase a full-size sedan for the taxi fleet.

A request was made by council members to the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors that the city be exempted from the payment of any tax for the support of the county library service.

Mayor John David said the city has been exempted from the tax in year's past and passing the resolution is just a formality.

The first reading of an ordinance amending the fire prevention and protection code of handling and storing hazardous materials was approved by the aldermen. The amendment is necessary so the ordinance is in accordance with state code.