Judge OKs fee to fund Northeast Ohio flood program

CLEVELAND (AP) — A judge’s decision paves the way for Northeast Ohio officials to begin a $38 million stormwater management program to reduce flooding and to charge a fee to pay for it.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and some communities involved disagreed on the fee, leading to a lawsuit. The Plain Dealer reports a county judge in Cleveland ruled Wednesday that the district has the power to charge property owners the fee. It’s expected to total about $57 a year for the average homeowner and more for businesses with bigger properties.

The judge sided with some property owners in ordering several changes to the program, including an increase in how much money the sewer district returns to communities for projects.

Officials say the program is set to begin in January.