September 12, 2024
Dear Snellville Residents,
In 2008, the City instituted a Stormwater Utility to create a dedicated funding source for the operation and maintenance of all stormwater infrastructure in Snellville. Previously, funding for these projects came from the general budget with no specific allocation to maintain the infrastructure.
In recent years, the cost of labor and materials has increased significantly, straining the Stormwater Utility budget. Consequently, the City contracted with Integrated Science & Engineering to conduct a rate study to determine the necessary base rate for the utility. Though great strides have been made in updating many of the failing pipes and culverts, there are still more than 200 sections of existing pipe that have severe corrosion and need replacement.
In order to address these issues, and based on the rate study, the recommended base rate used to calculate the stormwater fee for each property will increase to $125 annually. This equates to an approximate $5.64 monthly increase for most residential properties.
Since its inception in 2008, the City has increased the base rate only once – in 2016. The updated base rate will go a long way toward replacement of the pipe sections that are most in need of repair.
The new rate for stormwater fees will be reflected on the 2024 property tax bills to be mailed at the close of this week.
Sincerely,
The City of Snellville
Update September 16, 2024
To add further clarification on the application of stormwater fees:
Residential properties are charged a stormwater fee using a rate within a tier relative to the base rate, which is $125.00. The rate that is applied to the property is based on the square footage of the impervious area of the property.
The tiers are as follows:
Tier 1 (Residential < 2850 sq. ft.) = $93.75
Tier 2 (Residential 2851-4750 sq. ft.) = $125.00
Tier 3 (Residential > 4750 sq. ft.) = $156.25
The City of Snellville does offer options to receive a stormwater bill credit for certain qualified actions to reduce stormwater runoff. For more information about participating in this program, review Code Section 62-93 and contact the City of Snellville Public Works Department at 770-985-3527.