(A) A storm water service charge shall be imposed on each and every lot and parcel of land within the incorporated limits of the town, as amended from time to time, which charge shall be assessed against the property owner thereof, who shall be considered the user for the purposes of this chapter. The charge is made regardless of whether the property is used for residential, commercial, or school purposes. This charge is deemed reasonable and is necessary to pay for all expenses incidental to the operation of the works, including: legal expenses; maintenance costs; operating charges; repairs; lease rentals; interest charges on bonds or other obligations; to provide a sinking fund required by I.C. 36-9-23-21; to provide adequate money to be used as working capital; and to provide adequate money for improving and replacing the works.
(B) The storm water service charge shall be the amount set forth in the schedule of user fees that is set by ordinance of the Town Council, as may be amended from time to time. The storm water service charge shall be charged monthly and any amounts collected shall be deposited into the Storm Water Fund.
(C) Basis of charge. The storm water fee is a flat charge designed to recover the cost of rendering storm water service to the users of the storm water drainage system, and shall be the basis for assessment of the storm water service charge.
(D) Classification of property. All properties within the town municipal boundaries will be assigned an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), or a multiple thereof, based on the costs, including capital expenditures, of furnishing services to each property, with all properties having a rate assignment as follows:
(1) All property except schools. A monthly flat rate charge for storm water service rendered to residential improved or non-residential improved properties, other than schools, in the amount of one ERU equating to a rate of $3 per month, as amended from time to time.
(2) School. The monthly user fee for schools will be determined using an ERU multiplier, which will be calculated by dividing the total impervious surface within the property by the base of 3,000 and then multiplying by $3 per ERU per month, as amended from time to time.
(E) Exceptions/exemptions. Except for public rights-of-way, town-owned properties, railroad lines, and paths that are eight feet wide or less, there shall be no exceptions or exemptions from the assignment of storm water service charges for any property.
(Ord. 2019-1, passed 4-11-2019)