The Washington County Tax statement shows a charge for residents of the South Washington Watershed District (SWWD). The SWWD project fund revenue is collected through a stormwater utility fee. This fee is displayed as a special assessment in the property tax system.Watershed Districts have the authority by State law to levy a property tax to implement projects and programs within the watershed. The SWWD has collected tax revenue since its formation in 1997, for the purposes outlined under State Law. In May, 2003, the consolidation with the East Mississippi Watershed area (Figure 1) required the SWWD to collect some tax revenue differently.The SWWD collects a majority of its revenue using a stormwater utility fee. The stormwater utility fee is labeled “SWWatershed” under special assessment on Washington County Tax statements. In past years SWWD taxes were included in the special districts line of the tax statement. A watershed wide levy for watershed general fund and annual programs still exists in this line; however project fund revenue is collected through the stormwater utility.Watershed districts and Cities both have the authority to establish stormwater utilities. The SWWD stormwater utility operates on the same principals as a city stormwater utility. However, the watershed constructs regional scale projects, outside of city responsibilityThe revenue collected is used to pay back bonds, pay for capital projects, pay for the operation and maintenance of regional stormwater/flood control systems, and to pay for projects to improve stormwater runoff quality. Each year the SWWD Board adjusts the rates based on the proposed budget to implement watershed projects.
Reports:
- 2004 Stormwater Utility Update
- 2004 Stormwater Utility Appendix
Annual Fee Calculation:
- Stormwater Utility Fee Explanation
- 2010 and 2011 Stormwater Utility Fee Calculations
- 2009 and 2010 Stormwater Utility Fee Calculations
- 2008 and 2009 Stormwater Utility Fee Calculations
- 2006 Stormwater Utility Fee Calculations