THUNDER BAY -- The City of Thunder Bay is considering a new user fee for property-owners to help pay for the cost of managing the stormwater system.
City residents will get an opportunity to learn more about this and other options at a public meeting on Tuesday, January 23.
The Stormwater Management Plan adopted by city council in 2016 outlined objectives for the next two decades. Now a financing study is underway to investigate what the city describes as "a sustainable and fair funding source" to support the implementation of that plan.
In a notice about the public consultation, the city says the stormwater infrastructure is aging, and will need to be renewed on a regular basis to avoid costly repairs in the future.
A posting on the city's website states that managing the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff is important for two reasons: the volume and timing of runoff which can result in flooding, and the contaminants that it carries which lead to pollution of waterways.
The city says financing stormwater management through a user fee is becoming more common in Ontario. A stormwater user fee would charge homeowners and landowners based on the amount of stormwater their property contributes.
There are several other options, but most involve new taxes or levies:
- increased property tax rates
- modifications to the current Sewage and Drainage property tax levy
- a new Stormwater Management property tax levy
- modifications to the current Development Charges program (partial program funding for new development and infill/redevelopment only)
- a new Development Impact Fee program (partial program funding for new development and infill/redevelopment only)
Tuesday's meeting takes place at the Italian Cultural Centre on Algoma Street with a drop-in between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Formal presentations are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The city is also inviting residents to learn more on the study website at thunderbay.ca/stormwater plan.
In addition to public meetings, residents will have an opportunity to complete an online survey to share their preferences for stormwater financing.
The city has hired a consulting firm to work on the project.
