(a) There is hereby established a stormwater utility fee to fund the operations of the Martinsburg Stormwater Utility. The monthly stormwater utility fee authorized under Section 936.04 shall be established as follows: six dollars ($6.00) per each one-half (½) Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) per month for each residential and non-residential property. The minimum charge on each parcel of real property owned shall be equivalent to one-half (½) ERU. No bill shall be rendered for less than one-half (½) ERU.
(b) The initial stormwater utility fee shall be effective January 1, 2022. The stormwater utility fee shall be based upon square feet of impervious area based upon mapping of the service area completed by the Martinsburg Stormwater Utility.
(c) Returned check charge. A service charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) will be imposed upon any customer, property owner or any other person or entity whose check is returned by the bank for any reason.
(d) EFT, credit card and drop box payments. A service charge will be imposed on EFT, credit card or drop box payments or any other electronic transactions. The amount shall be equal to the actual charges to the utility from any source.
(e) Delayed payment penalty. On all current usage billings not paid in full by the latest pay date, ten percent (10%) will be added to the net current amount unpaid. This delayed payment penalty is not interest and is to be collected only once for each bill where it is appropriate.
(f) The City Council may, from time to time, by ordinance, change the stormwater utility fee or charges.
(g) The Martinsburg Stormwater Utility may develop a Stormwater Utility Credit Program and assign discount credits to commercial properties employing volumetric flow reduction facilities, and to those existing properties employing volume and/or rate of flow reduction practices three (3) years after this Ordinance becomes effective. The maximum credit allowable shall be twenty percent (20%). The credits may be made available only with adequate mapping and research by the Martinsburg Stormwater Utility and may be reasonably delayed pending the fulfillment of these prerequisites.
(Ord. 2021-12. Passed 10-14-21.)