GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay residents already facing a tax hike, may see their water bills going up too.
Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich’s 2020 budget proposal would raise city taxes as high as state law allows.
Most alders agree it’s a price the city has to pay for past budgets. However, a proposal to shift the city’s $1.1 million forestry department to the stormwater utility has raised some concern.
“To me, it just seems like shifting the cost from one area, the tax levy, to another, and that is stormwater utility rates,” said Jesse Brunette, a Green Bay alder.
The budget proposes a $43.50 increase on city tax bills for a $150,000 home.
Adding the forestry department to the stormwater utility would raise water bills $25.84 a year on an average home, or $6.46 for each quarterly bill.
Genrich tells FOX 11 this formula is not uncommon.
“It’s sort of an honest accounting of the benefit that our street trees have to our stormwater system. At the same time, it’s something that a number of municipalities have done around the state, because of the tight budget constraints that we’re under.”
The number you currently see on your water bill isn’t just for what comes out of your tap.
Green Bay Water Utility bills also include a flat water service fee and a public fire protection charge for hydrant use and maintenance. The bill also includes a sewer service charge, sewer usage, and stormwater.
“So when you have rainfall, the trees kind of soak it up and keep it out of our stormwater system,” said Genrich when asked what trees have to do with the stormwater system.
Brunette tells FOX 11….
“Everyone has to vote their conscience and what their constituents would want them to do, but let’s be honest, we’re basically tacking on a $25 yearly charge on consumers’ stormwater bill.”
The full city council vote on the budget is next Tuesday.
