Wouldn it be easier and cheaper just to raise taxes to pay for the stormwater management program?
Although the previous years’ funds for stormwater management were from the General Fund, taxes are not an equitable or reliable means to fund the stormwater management program. Equity is achieved when each property owner pays a fair share based on the demand his or her property places on the stormwater management system. Each year the Town establishes a budget, based on tax revenue and program needs throughout Town, both of which change from year to year. As an example, the Capital Improvements Program was not funded in the 2004-2005 budget and the Drainage Assistance Program has not been funded since 1998. A stormwater management program is most efficiently and effectively operated on a reliable and consistent revenue stream that would be established through a fee-based approach.
