Georgia officials table proposed “rain tax” that would fund stormwater infrastructure upgrades in Cobb County

(UI) – According to Fox 5 Atlanta, homeowners in Cobb County successfully tabled a proposed stormwater fee until Summer 2024. While county officials insist that the fee is necessary to upgrade the area’s aging infrastructure, residents feel the “rain tax” will become a burden when money is already tight.

Stormwater infrastructure in Cobb County features 50 year-old piping that causes frequent leaks, flooding and sinkholes. Budget constraints and maintenance bottlenecks exacerbate the problem.

Currently, homeowners pay only for the water they use. Under the proposed stormwater fee, residents would see their bills based on their property’s impervious surface area. The so-called “rain tax” would increase average utility bills by as much as $4 and affect those who generate more stormwater runoff.

While many residents understand and agree with need for improved stormwater infrastructure, they feel that officials have failed to educate the public about the proposed fee and should come up with a better plan.

This story way originally reported by Fox 5 Atlanta.

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