Uses unclear for stormwater fee

On Aug. 8, the Marion City Council defeated RES 23314, which was to have Pate Asphalting grind and lay asphalt to alleviate the stormwater problem a resident in the First Ward has having. The bid was $950. Council members Craig Adamson and Joe Spinks and staff wanted the homeowner to pay for half of this fee.

The city has overlaid the asphalt from curb to curb, negating the street gutter and curb. This has caused stormwater to inundate the homeowner's property.

This homeowner is paying $42 per year in stormwater fees. If this fee is not being used for projects like this, then why are we paying this fee? Maybe residential, commercial, businesses, non-profits, churches and schools should refrain from paying this fee if it is not going to be used for this type of problem.

Council member Kim Etzel voted with Adamson and Spinks. The homeowner is in Etzel's ward.

Dwight Hogan

Marion