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Home My WebLink Aboutstorm water credits articlehttp: / /www.thenorthwestern.com /article/ 20101028 /OSHO101 /10280459 /Oshkosh - propert... Page 1 of 1 ITEM 5 Oshkosh property r can claim r it for reducing t r water runoff By Jeff Bollier -ref the Northwestern - October h J 1J Oshkosh became one of the few communities in Wisconsin to offer residential property owners a chance to claim a credit for reducing storm water runoff Tuesday. The Oshkosh Common Council approved a residential storm water utility credit for residential properties along the shores of Lake Winnebago, the Fox River or Lake Butte des Morts who can show runoff flows into the bodies of water, not storm sewers. Properties not on the lakes or river can still also qualify for a credit if they properly install rain barrels to collect roof runoff or rain gardens that trap and store runoff. "We're doing this when nobody else is doing this," Public Works Director David Patek said. "But the utility wants and previous city manager and councils wanted residential (credit) policies and we think we've come up with decent one here." Shoreline residences can apply for a credit of up to 50 percent of their annual storm water utility fees, expected to range from $48.25 to $95.75 in 2011 depending on the amount of impervious surface on a property, if they can document that storm water flows into the lake or river. Residences that install best management practices would be eligible for a credit of up to 75 percent of their annual utility fee if they install rain gardens or rain barrels that capture and retain storm water. The size of the credit each property owner can receive will be based on the estimated amount of storm water captured. Rain gardens typically use indigenous plants with deeper roots for better water absorption and prairie plants and grasses. The University of Wisconsin - Extension offices have information on plants to use and how to set up rain gardens for those interested in the program. The residential credit was long overdue for David Reamer. Reamer, who lives on Lake Winnebago, asked the council when the residential credit would be created at a late September council meeting. He returned Tuesday to thank city staff for completing the policy, but was upset staff recommended application fees ranging from $25 -$75. "I'd be paying a fee to have them reduce another fee," Reamer told the council. "I've been penalized because of the city's inability to come up with a policy for six or seven years now. I've paid $400 (in stormwater utility fees) for something I don't use." The credit policy matches one in place for industrial, commercial and large multi - family properties around Oshkosh for the past five years. But during that time, Assistant Public Works Director Steve Gohde said only 22 businesses have applied to receive a credit on their bills. Gohde said he does not expect a lot of participation from residential property owners, but councilors sided with Reamer and reduced the fee to $10. "I can understand a minimal fee for paperwork, but $25 -$75 is excessive," Councilor Steve Cummings said. Councilor Tony Palmeri added that he thought the "fee defeats purpose of trying to save money by discouraging people from getting rain barrels or rain gardens." — Jeff Bollier: (920) 426 -6688 or jbollier@thenorth- western.com. thenorth- western.com. http://www.thenorthwestern.com/fdcp/?1288277388251 10/28/2010