Why isn’t funding for the stormwater program just included in my property taxes?
Property taxes are based on the value of a property as assessed by the Tompkins County Department of Assessment, which does not accurately reflect how much stormwater is generated by a property. The stormwater user fee allows the City to bill each property based on the amount of runoff created by the property owner’s decision to install or maintain impervious surface areas. Further, when the stormwater program is funded out of taxes, the many tax-exempt property owners in the City do not contribute toward the cost required to handle the stormwater flowing off of their properties. By broadening the base of properties that are responsible for contributing to funding, the amount paid for stormwater infrastructure and services by the average residential property owner was cut roughly in half in 2015 to under $50 per year.

Show All Answers

1. Why is the City imposing a stormwater user fee now?
2. How was the stormwater user fee established?
3. Why isn’t funding for the stormwater program just included in my property taxes?
4. Do other cities have stormwater user fees?