(A) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, each and every owner and/or operator of residentially developed property and non-residential developed property shall have imposed upon them a stormwater user fee. The stormwater user fee shall be a monthly service charge and shall be determined by the provisions of this chapter and the applicable equivalent residential unit (ERU) and ERU rate established hereunder, which provisions may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this chapter or by resolution of the Commission. The established rate shall be contained within the Stormwater Management User Fee Policy. Effective with the initiation of the Storm Water Utility and prior to January 1, 2014, one ERU is equivalent to $5.20. Effective January 1, 2014, the Storm Water Utility rate of one ERU is equivalent to $5.70 or up to 5,400 square feet. Effective January 1, 2015, the effective Storm Water Utility rate will be, one ERU is equivalent to $6.20 or up to 5,400 square feet for the year 2015. Effective January 1, 2016, the effective Storm Water Utility rate will be, one ERU is equivalent to $6.70 or up to 5,400 square feet for the year 2016. Effective January 1, 2023, the effective Storm Water Utility rate will be, one ERU is equivalent to $7.00 or up to 5,400 square feet, and a 3% annual increase on the first day of each year. See Appendix: Rates and Fees, for updated yearly rates and fees.
(B) The City Manager shall make recommendations to the Commission to adjust this definition of ERU from time to time by resolution to reflect development trends within the city or further equitably divide the costs of supporting the operation and maintenance of the stormwater system. In adjusting this definition, the Commission shall take into consideration the source of the data from which the subject ERU is to be established, the general acceptance and use of the source on the part of other stormwater systems, and the reliability and general accuracy of the source. The Commission may also utilize information obtained from property tax assessor’s rolls or site examination, mapping information, aerial photographs, and other reliable information in order to determine impervious surface areas.
(1) Single-family properties shall be billed on a per unit basis at one ERU per month and duplexes will be billed on a per unit basis of one-half an ERU per month.
(2) The fee for all other properties not specified in division (B)(1) shall be calculated based on the total impervious area of the property divided by the then-effective average impervious area for an ERU multiplied by a rate of one ERU per month at the rate established for an ERU. The impervious area estimate shall be based on ortho-rectified aerial photography and/or as-built plans as approved through the building permit process, or other sources at the discretion of the City Engineer.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the STWUD shall assess the need for rate increases and report findings to the Commission.
(C) Rates and charges incurred under this section shall be prepared and collected by the city in accordance with those provisions regulating the preparation and issuance of bills for utility service. The monies collected under this section shall be used expressly for the benefit of the stormwater system.
(D) The Commission shall yearly review the ERU and the fee assessed to determine whether the rate and fee are sufficiently permitting the city to meet the requirements of the MS4 permit issued by the EPA and any other needed planning, design and construction costs associated with stormwater, in the city of Piqua, or waters running through the city of Piqua.
(E) A credit program shall be available to non-residential customers only as established by the STWUD.
(Ord. 18-09, passed 11-2-09; Am. Ord. 5-10, passed 3-16-10; Am. Ord. 15-10, passed 7-6-10; Am. Ord. 1-13, passed 2-19-13; Am. Ord. 18-13, passed 1-7-14; Am. Ord. 3-18, passed 3-20-18; Am. Ord. 5-18, passed 4-17-18; Am. Ord. 12-22, passed 11-1-22)