Stormwater discussed during city manager’s meeting

At the July 29 ^th City Manager meeting, the ATR asked how many staff were in the storm water department. Powell replied that there were three employees, and a superintendent that was split between that department and other duties. Several budget transfers have occurred from the storm water fund. Citizens have expressed concern about the transfers to the general fund in light of current infrastructure issues. The ATR asked if the transfers were causing issues for the storm water department. Powell responded. “One, the transfers are legitimate. It’s not different than the transfers that we have from the other utilities. The enterprise funds or utility funds function as businesses.” She talked about how many salaries are supported by the general fund that support multiple departments. “The public works director is in the general fund, and the public works director supports the entire city. So the transfer is just like any other business.” She also gave the example of the HR department, and how that supported the entire city. Powell noted that for accounting purposes, the fund functioned as an independent business. She mentioned that the stormwater department utilized services from other departments, and that the transfer kept them from having to employee separate individuals for that specific department.

Tanya Edwards, finance director for the City of Americus commented on the fee for stormwater. “The fee is only $4. It’s $4 per property.” She mentioned that the way they collected the fee was typically through water bills or when people came in to pay the fee. She mentioned that there were over $600,000 in delinquent fees. She mentioned talking with the city attorney about alternative ways to collect the fees for those who do not have water bills. “However, there really isn’t another way for me until I just bill them directly, or if I put it on their utility services. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to.” She commented on the transfers. “They’ve been there for, from what I’ve looked at, ever since they’ve had stormwater.”

A citizen asked if the stormwater fee could be added to city property tax. Edwards replied. “I’ve asked. I was declined.” Powell commented. “You can’t add a fee to the property taxes.”

For other topics covered during the meeting, see City Manager holds citizen Q and A.

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