Stormwater Ltr - Bob FryBob and Carol Fry
267 West 17th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
December 11, 2002
The HonorableTerrance M. Duggan
Mayor, Cityof Dubuque
2428 Beacon Hill
Dubuque, lA 52003
Dear Mr. Mayor:
It has come to my attention that there is a serious proposal to establish a
"Stormwater Utility" under the jurisdiction of the municipal government.
I object to this proposal for the following reasons:
· Because this is called a utility fee instead of a tax, the fee is not a deductible
expense. Taxes are deductible, fees are not. This is a terrible disservice to
Dubuque homeowners.
· As a fee, this will be applied to charitable, tax exempt organizations, which
are already financially strapped, as well as homeowners. The consequences
will include fewer people educated, housed, fed, clothed and decreased
medical care for the needy.
The fee will result in "double taxation." Tax supported institutions such as the
schools will have to raise their taxes to help pay their Stomwater Utility fees.
Not only will homeowners pay their taxes, we will be called on to pay fees
levied on any government agency that must pay the tax.
· The fee will also be applied to churches. Like other non-profit groups, these
have traditionally been tax-exempt. This is changing the rules without any
serious regard for the consequences. Many churches operate on a shoestring
budget and any substantial fee could force their closure.
· This seems to be a "foot in the door" proposal. If approved, it opens an
untapped well that will be visited again and again. Perhaps we will see a
police utility fee, a fire utility fee, an EMS utility fee, a snow removal utility fee,
a court house utility fee, a city vehicle utility fee, ad nauseam.
It is obvious that as citizens gain experience with this new tax, opposition will
begin to build. I ask that you reconsider the merits of this proposal and carefully
study the points mentioned above. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely
Bob Fry