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05/17/2007: "Storm Water Petition & Appeal Surges Forward"

( Pauli Gavora, a petition volunteer, explains the referendum petition to voter)
Some property owners are asking why is there a new $46.20 charge called “Storm Water Utility” added to the stack of 19 other levys and assessments that has shown up on their 2007 property tax bill. One question that is being asked is this really a “fee”, or is it really a new tax. Some property owners said that If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and swims like a duck, then maybe it is a duck?

When County Council members Alan Lichter, Bob Myhr, and Kevin Ranker made the decision to fund a storm water ordinance (which was done by assessing a fee of $46.20) on all developed properties in San Juan County, they did so by agreeing among themselves to start charging a fee that would be collected by the tax Assessor.


(Alex Gavora obtains Robyn Doecke's signature for the referendum on the new fee)

While there was a public hearing later before the full concil on the subject, there was clearly a lack of awareness on the part of the public about the new fee (read: Council Passes Stormwater Ord To An Empty House ), and when the public found the new assessment on their property tax bill, some started asking questions.

In response to the actions of the Commissioners imposing this “tax” or “fee” -this $46.20- the first referendum under the new county charter was filed by a local voter, and the first appeal under the storm water ordinance was made by two property owners.

Referendum 2007-1 is a move to bring to the attention of the county voters the issue of fair and appropriate assessment and funding for storm water and runoff projects in San Juan County and to get the question on the November ballot, so that the voters can decide if the fee should remain, or be repealed.

On another front, Gordy and Lori Petersen are the first property owners to have used a provision in the ordinance to appeal the “storm water tax” to Public Works. The Petersen’s filled out a Request for Service Charge Adjustment, sent it off, and in short order their appeal was denied by Public Works. The Petersen’s appealed that decision to the County Council, and will make their case before the County Council in June.

It will be interesting to hear how the Council responds to the appeal, in part because the original ordinance passed by the Council that needed the funding ordinance, was passed when the council consisted of only three members, and now the appeal of the funding ordinance will be heard by the full six member council.

Volunteers are currently collecting signatures throughout the county to petition to get the funding issue on the ballot. Organizer Alex Gavora urges anyone that has not signed the petition, and would like to see this referendum go to a vote of the people, to contact her at: stormywaters@interisland.net