THOM COUNCIL LOOKING AT A STORMWATER FEE SYSTEM

THE CITY OF THOMASTON'S PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT A STORMWATER FEE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS DRAINAGE ISSUES HAS FIRED-UP SOCIAL MEDIA—AND MOST POSTS OPPOSE IT. AT A PUBLIC MEETING TUESDAY THE CITY COUNCIL GOT QUESTIONS FROM SEVERAL CITIZENS INCLUDING GARY SELF, BRYAN SALTER, JULIAN BETHEL AND FORMER WATER/SEWER EMPLOYEE GARFON JUNG WHO TOLD THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL THE 1949 WASTE-WATER TREATMENT PLANT NEEDS REPLACING.

CITY ENGINEER TRAY GAVIN AND A REP FROM AN ATLANTA FIRM TOLD THE PUBLIC THOMASTON'S STORMWATER SYSTEM IS 100 YEARS OLD AND WATER RUN-OFF GENERATES LOTS OF COMPLAINTS FROM CITIZENS ON FLOODING AND SUCH.

$350,000 A YEAR IS DRAWN FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO DEAL WITH IT—BUT COUNCIL IS LOOKING AT CHARGING HOMEOWNERS 3.95 A MONTH, AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES MORE—SOMETHING TO GENERATE $460,000 A YEAR. SURVEYOR SELF SAID HE CALCULATED UNITED BANK'S BUILDING AND PARKING LOT SQUARE FOOTAGE AND CONCLUDED IT WILL COST THE BANK $1000 A YEAR.

BIG BOX STORES COULD PAY $900 A MONTH, SCHOOLS $500 A MONTH, SUPERMARKETS $350 AND CHURCHES MIGHT BE INCLUDED AT $60 A MONTH.

THE FEE PLAN COULD BEGIN SEPT. IST IF APPROVED BY COUNCIL.