RICHMOND -
The City of Richmond is under a Federal and State mandate to help cleanup the stormwater runoff that's polluting the Chesapeake Bay.
It's costing Richmond nearly $9 million dollars to upgrade it's drainage system. Costing the average taxpayer $45 bucks and much more for businesses and churches.
"I just couldn't believe it and I called to confirm it and that's what they confirmed what it would be," said Rev. Matthew Brown.
A 6-thousand dollar stormwater utility bill for his place of worship. Property which sits on several acres of land.
"If you just look here, you see it, most of our stormwater goes out into these woods behind us. So, it doesn't affect the city's stormwater drainage at all."
Reverend Matthew Brown represents a coalition of other churches, businesses and some homeowners against the fee that he calls just another "tax."
"As far as churches go, it's illegal. There's a state law that says you can not charge tax or fee to places used for worship and that's what we are. Are we going to get a refund if there's a drought?" said Rev. Brown
City Council members approved a Stormwater Utility fee last year. They say abolishing the fee, which they say is not a tax, would mean raising the Real Estate tax rate by 4 cents.
City Council President Kathy Graziano says homeowners shouldn't have to pick up the slack.
"Given this economic times that we have, raising the tax rate would be very difficult on individuals. People are scrambling, struggling to keep their homes, feed their families," said Graziano.
In the meantime, Reverend Matthew Brown is talking to an Environmental Engineer to put in a retention pond, grassy medians, and rooftop gardens to help his church to save on their Stormwater Utility bill.
It's costing Richmond nearly $9 million dollars to upgrade it's drainage system. Costing the average taxpayer $45 bucks and much more for businesses and churches.
"I just couldn't believe it and I called to confirm it and that's what they confirmed what it would be," said Rev. Matthew Brown.
A 6-thousand dollar stormwater utility bill for his place of worship. Property which sits on several acres of land.
"If you just look here, you see it, most of our stormwater goes out into these woods behind us. So, it doesn't affect the city's stormwater drainage at all."
Reverend Matthew Brown represents a coalition of other churches, businesses and some homeowners against the fee that he calls just another "tax."
"As far as churches go, it's illegal. There's a state law that says you can not charge tax or fee to places used for worship and that's what we are. Are we going to get a refund if there's a drought?" said Rev. Brown
City Council members approved a Stormwater Utility fee last year. They say abolishing the fee, which they say is not a tax, would mean raising the Real Estate tax rate by 4 cents.
City Council President Kathy Graziano says homeowners shouldn't have to pick up the slack.
"Given this economic times that we have, raising the tax rate would be very difficult on individuals. People are scrambling, struggling to keep their homes, feed their families," said Graziano.
In the meantime, Reverend Matthew Brown is talking to an Environmental Engineer to put in a retention pond, grassy medians, and rooftop gardens to help his church to save on their Stormwater Utility bill.
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