Councilman Chris Everich Or more accurately - "The Rain Tax"

Acknowledgements Research and Guidance from Our Carroll County Commissioner Richard Rothschild Vice President Frederick County Commissioner C. Paul Smith Mayor Patrick Rockinberg Monika Weierbach - Town Administrator Chairman Dick Swanson - Water and Sewer Commission

Introduction Purpose This is a brief introduction on what we currently understand Perhaps more importantly what we do NOT understand and what we are TRYING to understand Intent Understand the Community & Council's opinion Then based upon this partial information… How do we proceed?

Disclaimer Final responsibility for content is Councilman Everich Opinions and suggested actions are not necessarily supported by the contributors to this briefing I believe in preserving the environment and the bay I believe we can't afford yet another unfunded mandate forced upon us by the Governor and the Maryland State Legislature Those who strongly support this issue must come forward with a realistic fiscal plan to pay for this program in light of the demands for basic services in a weak economy

What? House Bill 987 signed into Law in April 2012 Establishes a system of stormwater remediation fees & a local water shed protection and restoration fund Must be implemented by counties & municipalities that are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Known as the NPDES, required by Clean Water Act of Federal Code More gobbledegook 'MS4' is the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System 'Phase I' MS4 covers unincorporated areas of county 'Phase II' MS4 covers incorporated areas of county (Mt. Airy)

Who is Subject? Anne Arundel Baltimore City Baltimore County Carroll County Charles County Frederick County Harford County Howard County Montgomery County Prince George’s County

When? Mt Airy helps fund Carroll County for all NPDES needs Our partnership allows for NPDES to be more effective Includes the Frederick County parts of Mt. Airy House Bill 987 says municipalities are not required to assess a stormwater remediation fee However, Carroll County's Stormwater Fee Advisory Group expects the new permit requirements for MS4 to force mitigation of existing impervious surfaces - we will get hit!

When? Draft/tentative Phase II permit is not yet issued MDE is required to notify all NPDES Phase II permit holders when the next generation “draft” or tentative “General Municipal/Phase II ” permit is published Potential Schedule - (MDE has missed all dates so far) January 1, 2013 – NPDES Phase II MS4 Draft Issued February 15, 2013 – 45 day Public Hearing & Comments March/April – Possible revisions and Final Determination (New Permit Issued) May / June – Notice of Intent (Application) required to be filed by Town June/July – MDE issues new permit to Phase II applicants

What Could this Cost You? The total estimated cost for the Town of Mount Airy is greater than $2,910,588 over a six-year period Estimate is from a preliminary Carroll County Study completed in June of 2013 Greater, since we do not have an estimate from Frederick County for that portion of Mount Airy That's at least $485,098 Average Annual Cost per year for six years Remember it will be significantly more once we include Fredrick County

What Could this Cost You? Assume we use a flat rate tax per connection 3,204 Residential Commercial = 3,512 Total $2,910,588 / 3,512 = at least $829 per connection Need to add in the Frederick County costs This equates to at least $ per year, per connection for six years Oh, don't forget to add in that yearly flush tax of $60

What Could this Cost You? Let's assume Frederick County portion at $2,ooo,ooo Remember, we don't hard any hard numbers yet $4,900,000 / 3,512 ~ $1400 per connection Using Kentucky windage for Frederick County costs This equates to at least $233 per year, per connection for six years And don't forget to add in that yearly flush tax of $60

Next Steps Mayor Rockinberg, Councilman Everich, Administrator Weierbach have been meeting with Commissioners, staff, and local municipalities Based solely on the costs to implement, a very strong movement is starting to avoid implementation Suggestion to Council We join with the Carroll and Frederick County and it's municipalities to fight this unreasonable fiscal burden Or, the Council starts the process to implement this unreasonable, unrealistic & unaffordable tax

Watershed Protection and Restoration Program – what does it pay for? The WPRF pays for stormwater management, and stream and wetland restoration projects to improve water quality and reduce phosphorus and nitrogen levels entering the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The WPRF may be used for public outreach and education relating to stormwater management and wetland restoration. The WPRF may be used to pay for the operation and maintenance of existing stormwater management programs and facilities, and for local stormwater management planning activities. The WPRF provides funding for local stormwater management planning including: mapping, and assessment of impervious surfaces, inspection and enforcement to carry out the program, review stormwater management plans and permit applications for new developments.

Estimate Cost Breakdown Operations and Maintenance = $ 336,357 Public Education and Outreach = $55,107 Planning and Mapping = $292,787 Monitoring, Inspections and Enforcement = $88,151 Administration = $46,000 Total Cost for FY = $2,910,588 Average Annual Cost = $485,098 Average Annual Capital Cost = $348,698 Source: Draft Carroll County Study completed in June 2013