Auburn changing storm water proposal

About two-dozen property owners at the first public hearing said their businesses were losing money due to the recession and they could not bear the imposition of a new tax that would cost them hundreds or thousands of dollars.

“We looked at an across-the-board amount for everybody, but we were told we’re not allowed to do that,” Blechinger said. “The (Georgia Environmental Protection Division) said we have to do an equation based on impervious surface.”

An impervious surface is a material or structure that prevents storm water from soaking into the ground.

The city’s proposed $31-per-year fee for the average homeowner, paid in small increments on monthly water bills, would not change under the new methodology under consideration.

But fees for other property owners might be based on broader “levels” of impervious surfaces, the mayor said.

“We’re trying to come up with something where everybody is comfortable and we can still pay for the utility (services),” she said.

Blechinger said additional information also would be made available at Monday’s hearing.