Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is calling for a review of the city’s stormwater charges after complaints of high bills.
Dilkens issued the directive under his “strong mayor” powers, looking for administration to analyze the recent bill changes.
The new stormwater structure was anticipated to make homeowners’ bills cheaper. Properties were billed based on how much concrete, or impervious hard surface, is on their property compared to grass.
However, some homeowners, particularly those who operate on septic systems, say they are being charged for services they don’t have.
“The objective of changing the fee structure for stormwater management was to ensure that residential property owners saw a decrease in their water bills, so they pay less. Not what they pay more,” said Ward 1 city councillor Fred Francis.
“So, if there’s cases where residential property owners and people are paying more, we should look at that. And if we have to make adjustments to ensure they pay less, not more. That’s what we should do.”
Francis said he has been getting a lot of feedback on the topic.
The new system went into effect on Jan. 1. It was expected to cost the average homeowner $73 a year. Big commercial properties, such as malls and big box stores, were expected to see higher bills.
