TRUMBULL COUNTY Polivka opposes adding storm-water fee to taxes

The fee is expected to raise $750,000 a year to reduce water pollution.
& lt;a href=mailto:sinkovich@vindy.com & gt;By PEGGY SINKOVICH & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Trumbull County commissioner says he is against putting a $15 annual storm-water fee on many homeowners' property tax bills.
Commissioner Dan Polivka said during Tuesday's work session that he doesn't think it's right for homeowners to pay more money because of EPA requirements.
"I think we should force the EPA's hand to force us into doing it," Polivka said. "I don't want to tax people anymore."
Trumbull County commissioners are expected to act within the next week to put a $15 annual storm-water fee on many homeowners' property tax bills.
"I'm asking the prosecutor to find out what they [EPA] can do if we don't do it," Polivka said
John Woolard, the program coordinator for the county, said the EPA can fine the county $25,000 a day for not being in compliance.
"I don't want to tax anyone either, but I don't want to be fined $25,000 a day," said Commissioner Joseph Angelo.
Areas affected
The fee, which would be collected from property owners in the townships of Bazetta, Brookfield, Champion, Howland, Hubbard, Liberty, Newton, Vienna, Warren and Weathersfield, McDonald Village and the cities of Cortland, Girard, Hubbard Newton Falls and Niles, is expected to raise $750,000 a year to fund a new county program to reduce water pollution.
Businesses in these areas will also be required to pay an annual fee, based on the amount of storm water that runs off their properties. The maximum fee for businesses is $1,000 per year, said John Woolard, the program coordinator.
The program is required by the EPA.
The fees will pay for workers at the county planning commission, soil and water conservation district and board of health to monitor sources of pollution.
Last year, to comply with EPA requirements, county commissioners signed an agreement to create a department to run the program and have it fully operational by 2008.
& lt;a href=mailto:sinkovich@vindy.com & gt;sinkovich@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;