Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (2)
Leesburg committee votes for change in water surcharges
A town committee assigned to re-evaluate the town's two-tier utility rate structure voted 8-1 Dec. 19 in favor of changing Leesburg's utility surcharges.The committee's vote will be presented as a recommendation to the town council in late January. The council will make the final decision.
Changes include reducing the out-of-town surcharge from 100 percent back to 50 percent, like it was in 2005 before council voted to increase it.
The committee also voted to raise in-town and out-of-town residents rates about $23 a year.
The decision would apply to in-town and out-of-town residents who receive water and sewer services from Leesburg.
“Overall, I thought it was reasonable,” said committee member Frank Holtz, who's planning on running for town council in spring. “We had limited time and limited information. Based on what we had, this is the best decision.”
The committee, comprised of seven in-town and two out-of town residents, had just a few months to come up with a recommendation to present to the council before the town's budget season begins this January.
Since January 2006, out-of-town residents have paid a surcharge twice as high as the surcharge paid by in-town residents, in accordance with a December 2005 decision by the town council. The decision was appealed to the County Circuit Court by out-of-town residents in October 2006.
The residents won their appeal, but changes in the structure were delayed while awaiting a town appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court. That decision is still pending.
Council made the decision in 2005 saying the surcharge was fair since out-of-town residents only paid county taxes while in-town residents paid county and town taxes.
Many out of town residents have said there should be a surcharge, but a smaller one than the 100 percent.
Holtz, a Leesburg resident, called the decision a win-win for in-town and out-of towners.
He said the last time rates had increased – before the 2005 increase of out-of town rates – was in 1992.
But this decision is only a temporary solution said fellow committee member Dave Butler.
As part of the committee's recommendation, members said the town should look into a tier structure that would evenly charge residents receiving services based on use.
“Basically we think it's too complicated right now,” he said of why the committee didn't chose to change the tier system now.
Butler said under the tier system, residents would be charged one rate for the first let's say 1,000 gallons or water they use a month, and a second rate for the next 1,000 gallons.
The committee will meet after Christmas for one more meeting before presenting its recommendation late January.
Contact the reporter at hhobbs@timespapers.com
So, the surcharge gets rolled back 50% and everyone pays about $23 extra a year. *scratches head* I'm not a rocket scientist, but the math doesn't seem right. There is going to be a huge lack of income and how is that going to be made up? Or do Butler and Holtz plan to suggest raising Leesburg taxes down the road to make up for it? Frankly, that tier system sounds like a better deal for everyone. Charge for what is used, that way those with the biggest McMansions pay (and can afford) the most.
Posted by Waya
Report Offensive Content
Waya- Please come to our Dec 27th meeting at Town Hall. There is much more going on than meets the print. Take Care, Frank Holtz
Posted by frankholtz
Report Offensive Content
You must be logged in to post a comment.