On June 5 council agenda there is a staff report recommending implementation of a storm water management rate beginning in 2024. As reviewed in the report there is a need to introduce this new “rate,” which is essentially an increase in property tax, as our current budget does not provide adequate funds to do the work required for operational and capital stormwater projects. The latter is required for maintaining current aging infrastructure and funding new assets. There is urgency to do this given new regulatory requirements and the need to appropriately respond to climate change impacts. As I elaborate below I don’t think the recommended plan is perfect but in the absence of a better way I do concur with i) the work needs to be funded and ii) everyone should participate in funding it. For more information about the stormwater system go to speaking@king.ca to see the information boards shown at the public information session. Here is the proposed bylaw which is proposed to be approved on June 5.
In the report the argument is made that all property owners should contribute, no matter how big or small their property is or whether they live in an apartment on the third floor or on a farm; I agree with that. To my mind, however, a property owner who makes choices to extensively limit the ability of their property to absorb rainfall but installing extensive hardscaping as opposed to having gardens and lawns should pay a greater share. I can’t imagine how that could be implemented particularly given the stated guiding principle that there needs to be a process which is easy to administer to avoid adding costs.
I also think that except for the first year I don’t think it should be a separate line item on the property tax bill; providing funds to look after our storm water systems is really no different than providing funds to look after our roads. Its a good idea for the first year as it is a new item.
If you wish to make a deputation and/or provide your comments in an email you need to register (or send that email) by noon June 5 to clerks@king.ca. To clarify, to make a deputation you need to register whether you will do in person at the Municipal Centre or by phone. I am also interested to hear comments directly by making a comment on my blog or contacting me directly.
I agree that the stormwater management rate should be divided equally among all residents and including the agricultural lands, which the by-law is giving an exemption . If some of these lands will be developed, will the stormwater charges be reduced to those that have been paying prior to the development? These charges seem to always be increasing, but like the road repairs, I’ve been asking for the past 4 years that Station road be repaired, as it is a terrible road to drive on.
Please can you clarify that the residential property on a farm will NOT be exempt from this new tax?
Hello IAN, My interpretation of the quotation which follows is that the residential portion of the farm property will pay a stormwater management fee. Here is the quote: “staff are recommending that the stormwater
management rate only apply to the residential portion of all agricultural property classes and not to the farmland or managed forest portions.”