Environmental Programs -
Environmental Fee FAQ's
What is this fee?
The Federal Environmental Compliance Fee has been
established to partially offset the City’s costs for complying with Federal and
State regulatory requirements associated with stormwater and air quality
programs.
When was this approved?
With the approval from the Mesa City Council in June
of 2006, the City of Mesa adopted Resolution number 8751 establishing the
Federal Environmental Compliance Fee
Why is this fee needed now?
Mesa, like other cities, has traditionally managed
stormwater and dust programs with General Fund Revenues. But recent struggles
have made it necessary to implement a fee for certain city services. Unfunded,
Federal and State regulations require the City to manage stormwater and dust
issues in ways that protect and/or improve water and air quality.
Do other cities have this type of
fee?
Most of Arizona’s large cities have to comply with
the same Federal and State requirements and use various approaches to fund
them.
Why not use property taxes to pay
for these programs.
The
City of Mesa does not have a property tax.
Will this fee result in a
reduction of my property taxes?
No. City of Mesa residents only pay Maricopa County
property taxes. Your county taxes will not be affected.
When was this fee started?
This fee took effect in January 2007.
How much is this fee?
$1.50 per month per each utility customer within the
City of Mesa.
Why is this fee charged a tax?
City tax codes [Section 5-10-480(g)(1)] and State
statutes [ARS 42- 5063(C)(1)] require a tax to be
applied for these types of fees.
How is the fee rate determined?
The fee is a flat rate and each utility customer
regardless of water use, property value, or the type of account, pays the same
amount.
Will this fee be increased over
time or without notice?
The current fee has been established to partially
offset the costs of the Federal and State regulatory requirements. This does
not cover the entire costs of these programs. The City is still evaluating the
entire cost of these programs and other methods of funding them. Changes to
this fee would have to be approved by City Council.
What is the money used for?
The money from the Federal Compliance Fee will be
used for the following programs:
o
Stormdrain maintenance (infrastructure repairs and cleaning)
o
Stormwater sampling (monitor contaminants in stormwater)
o
Retention basin maintenance (city-owned facilities)
o
Street sweeping
o
PM-10 (Dust) stabilization (city-owned vacant lots and shoulders)
o
Inspections of construction and industrial sites (public and
private)
o
Administration and public education
What will I get for my money?
Most of these programs have already been in effect.
Previous funding was from the City’s General Fund. This fee was enacted to
reduce the burden to the General Fund by charging for the services we provide.
Will this fee be used to fund the
maintenance of private drainage easements and retention basins or to correct
private drainage issues?
No. This fee is paid by all utility customers and
is to fund City programs. It would be unfair for the City to spend more money
on private property issues than on the common areas available to the general
public.
I have been complaining to the
City about drainage issues on or near my property for a long time and nothing
gets done. Will this fee address this problem now?
Many drainage complaints that the City receives are
for problems on private property that the City has no authority to address. The
existence of this fee will not change that.
Since part of this fee covers
stormwater, will I still charged if does not rain?
Yes. Even in dry weather, the City must continue
regular maintenance and repair of the storm drain system, keep pollution out of
the system, and educate the public on stormwater quality issues. We need to be
prepared for when it does rain. The stormwater system is still there whether it
rains or not.
How will this fee be billed?
The fee will be included in your monthly City of
Mesa Utility Bill (either solid waste, water, electric, or gas).
Why not provide this fee in a
bill separate from my utility bill?
It is less costly to attach this fee to an existing
utility bill than to mail out separate bills.
If I am only paying a bill for
any period shorter or longer than a full month, will my fee be prorated?
Yes, there will be situations where the City
prorates utility bills. In these cases, the Federal Environmental Compliance
fee will also be prorated.
Who do I contact with billing
questions?
Contact the Customer Service Operations Call Center
at 480-644-2221.
Who do I contact for more
information about the fee and what it is used for?
Contact the
Environmental Programs Department at 480-644-3599.
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