Storm Water (Rain) Tax
Updates on Storm Water Tax
- Update on the Storm Water Run off Fee
** FEE (TAX) INCREASES TO BE ON WATER, SEWER, & RECYCLING. See N&O article on Wed, May 18, 2005 pg 1A
The new Storm Water Tax had been stalled last year. A public outcry against the new tax had resulted in a lack of sufficient votes on the Council's proposal to institute the new tax. Later in the year however, one council member's change of mind brought about a new vote. The Council quietly voted on the new tax in the fall. It passed by a 5 to 3 vote. Beginning in March/April water bills listed the new tax.
This new tax is the largest in years. It hits every property owner. Poorer property owners pay the same as more able owners. Older residents and other people on low income and/or fixed budgets will find it especially hard on them. Raleigh officials say they wanted the new tax because other cities have benefited from it. They cite Durham for example. The Durham "tax" has some exceptions. The Raleigh "tax" has no exceptions. We find that few taxpayers, if any, desire to be like our neighboring City (Durham) in regard to taxes. Durham taxes are among the highest, if not the highest, in the state.
The new Rain Tax is expected to bring in an additional $14 million extra revenue for the City... Oh what a spending spree we can expect with that huge windfall.
And Mayor Meeker still wants more yet ...
Mayor Charles Meeker has recently expressed his desire for an additional 5 percent gasoline tax AND an additional $20 per vehicle registration fee (tax).
City Manager Russell Allen released his projected budget for the City for next year last week. It calls for a 3 cent property tax increase, increasing water/sewer rates by 9 percent; adding an administrative fee of $3.88 on bi-monthly water bills; and increasing fees for inspections and business licenses.
There has also been talk that city and county officials are considering seeking another half cent sales tax to give them another huge take to spend on pet projects. When will their appetite for spending your money ever be satisfied?
PRESS RELEASE May 25, 2004 - HUGE NEW TAX IMPACT
Property owners within the City of Raleigh are now being hit with a HUGE NEW TAX INCREASE... Raleigh's new TAX ON THE RAIN (STORM WATER FEE). Last fall, Mayor Charles Meeker and the Raleigh City Council voted 5 to 3 to impose new "Storm Water Fees" They choose to try to disguise it as a fee. What it amounts to is the LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN YEARS. The new tax went into effect March 1st. It began appearing in the latest water billings mailed out by the City of Raleigh beginning in late March and April.
The new TAX ON THE RAIN hits every property within the City. There are no exceptions. Homes, schools, churches, day care centers, apartment complexes, shopping centers, auto dealerships, state and county government property, are all being hit with the largest tax increase in years. For normally exempt properties like churches, schools, and government buildings, it will be a first City imposed tax.
Those properties will now be especially hard hit.
ACTION URGED:
The Wake County Taxpayers Association is calling on all taxpayers to take action. Taxpayers can express their protest of this huge new tax. You can do so by calling Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and the Raleigh City Council at 890-3070. If taxpayers (you) remain silent it will only get worse! Call and express your protest to the new taxes now!
We invite all taxpayers to visit the Wake County Taxpayers Association web page WCTA.ORG. Information regarding the new Rain Tax impact is posted on the web site and will be updated as additional reports come in.
A Wake County Taxpayers Association Study
finds the following examples
- Average home:
$48 to $60 a year - Auto Dealerships:
(example: Al Smith Buick $2,059 per month) - Small Businesses:
(example, The Copy Center $100 per month)
(all businesses will pay a varying amount ) - Shopping Centers:
(un-able to determine example immediately. Some already struggling centers may fold) - Churches
Providence Baptist Church, Glenwood Ave: $ 9,000 a year
Upper Room Church of God, an African-American Church - $5,000 a year
Churches are conventionally exempt from taxes. This new tax hits churches also. - A large Property Management Firm:
$134,000 a year
(Highwoods Management) - Wake County Government
including schools within Raleigh - $600,000 a year - NC State University:
$20,000 to $30,000 per month
(taxpayers will have to pay this tax) - State Government:
$50,000 to $75,000 per month
(taxpayers will have to pay this tax)