Preventing storm damage in Moline could mean higher fees for residents. At a meeting tonight, city council members will decide whether to increase the stormwater fee. The increase would help pay for replacing underground pipes, cleaning out ditches, and repairing and maintaining pump stations.
Scott Hinton, City Engineer, says the proposed fee would increase by 15% for three years straight, starting next January. Residents currently pay $5.84 per 1/4 acre of land, but if the rate increase is approved, residents could pay $8.88 per 1/4 acre by 2017.
Hinton says the fees have remained the same since 2005, while costs have gone up. Moline brings in about $1 million every year with the current fee; but the increase would bring the city $1.5 million--enough to maintain its storm water infrastructure.
Council members will also vote on whether to approve three drainage projects, located at 2nd Street and 16th Avenue, 2nd Street and 28th Avenue, and the YMCA at 54th Street. If approved tonight, the contractor would start as early tomorrow and repairs should be completed by mid October.
