Brevard-Online.com Everything Brevard County Florida, All Day, Every Day
WordPress database error: [Unknown column 'cat_par' in 'field list']SELECT `id`, `cat`, `cat_loc`, `cat_par` FROM `wp_adrotate_groups` WHERE `cat_loc` > 0 AND `cat_loc` < 5;
Brevard County is considering raising storm water fees 78 percent to help clean up the Indian River Lagoon.
It would cost residents about $28 more every year. In 1991, county leaders established a storm water utlity where the base fee for single family homes was $36 a year. It’s been the rate for more than two decades, but county leaders said costs have not stayed the same.
Top video: Stray dogs from Sochi arrive in Central Florida
“The current funding that we have, it will take us more than 200 years to treat those. I don’t think we have 200 years to wait,” said Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department Director Ernie Brown.
The fee increase would add about 2.7 million a year to improving storm water infrastructure and removing muck from the Indian River.
” I live on the Indian River and I think the Indian River is monumental to this community and this area,” said Ralph Perrone Sr., who owns Perrone Properties. “I think there’s other ways to raise the money in a fair way.”
Perrone’s company is the third largest commercial property owner in Merritt Island. He has 17 properties in unincorporated Brevard County.
Also see: Stolen paintings found on kitchen wall
“So in total, I will be paying close to $10,000 per year and that’s in Merritt Island alone,” Perrone said.
Perrone said he will pass the fees on to the people who rent from him.
Brown said if the county doesn’t get a dedicated source of funding it will be detrimental.
“Brevard County is out of the game,” Brown said. “We will no longer be able to maintain compliance with our state and federal mandates and not be able to a make meaningful progress with the restoration of the lagoon.”
Brown said credits are available for businesses which have already built a storm water management system.
The public hearing starts at 5 p.m. Thursday in Viera at the Brevard County Government Center in the commission board room. Presentations will go first and the public hearing portion will begin around 6 p.m.
Most watched video: Firefighters dig through ashes to find firefighter’s wedding ring
Published at Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:22:06 +0000
