All single family residences in the Town of James Island pay a Storm Water Utility of $36. There is a proposal going before County Council soon that will increase the fee to $58, which is a 60% increase. This goes before the Finance Committee tonight and then County Council on Tuesday, March 8.
The Town's stormwater fee is charged on the annual property tax bill. The Town has an intergovernmental agreement with Charleston County to manage our storm water utility, and as a result, the money collected from Town property owners goes straight to Charleston County. Most of this money is used to pay for County staff who enforce storm water regulations.
If County Council determines that it is necessary to raise the fee to $58, we will have to apply this fee in the Town as well in order to continue to participate in the County program. (Residents in the unincorporated portions of James Island will pay the fee set by County Council. In the City of Charleston, the fee is paid monthly on the water and sewer bills and adds up to $72 per year.) Federal law requires all local governments to enforce such regulations in order to protect water quality in waterways like our rivers and marshes. Having no storm water program is impossible, and having no storm water fee to pay for it is impractical. Like most of the smaller municipalities in Charleston County, the Town participates in the County program. Mount Pleasant has its own program and the cost is $60 per resident.
The storm water fee is not ordinarily used to pay for routine maintenance on drainage ditches. That funding is from public works. However, the storm water utility does collect "extra" money which is accumulated in a special fund. There is a special fund for the Town of James Island. This money can be used for storm water projects.
County staff has informed the Town of this possible increase, and so far, the best information I have as to why is "new regulations." I hope to find out more. Since the Town will have no option but to follow the County in this matter, I would suggest contacting your representative on County Council--Councilman Joe Qualey or Councilwoman Anna Johnson. I contacted mine.
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