Environmental Fee FAQ's
What is this fee?
The Federal
Environmental Compliance Fee was established to
partially fund compliance programs that improve air
quality, reduce stormwater pollution and insure
compliance with other public health related
programs.
When was this approved?
With the approval from the Mesa City Council in
June of 2006, the City of Mesa adopted Resolution
number 8751 establishing the Federal Environmental
Compliance Fee.
Why is this fee needed now?
Mesa, like other cities, has traditionally
managed environmental programs and services with
General Fund Revenues. Unfunded Federal and
State regulations require the City to manage
environmental issues in ways that protect and/or
improve water and air quality and that address other
public health issues.
Do other cities have this type of fee?
Most of Arizona’s large cities have to comply
with the same Federal and State requirements and use
various approaches to fund them.
Will this fee result in a reduction of my
property taxes?
No. City of Mesa residents only pay
Maricopa County property taxes. Your county
taxes will not be affected.
When was this fee started?
This fee took effect in January 2007.
How much is this fee?
$3.00 per month per each utility customer.
How is the fee rate determined?
The fee is a flat rate and each utility customer
regardless of water use, property value, or the type
of account, pays the same amount.
Will this fee be increased over time or without
notice?
The current fee has been established to
partially offset the costs of the Federal and State
regulatory requirements. This does not cover
the entire costs of these programs. The City
is still evaluating the entire cost of these
programs and other methods of funding them.
Any future changes to this fee will have to be
approved by City Council.
What is the money used for?
The money from the Federal Compliance Fee is
used to fund the following programs:
- Stormdrain maintenance (infrastructure
repairs and cleaning)
- Stormwater sampling (monitor contaminants in
stormwater)
- Retention basin maintenance (city-owned
facilities)
- Street sweeping
- Air Quality programs such as,
PM-10 (Dust) stabilization (city-owned
vacant lots and shoulders)
Inspections of construction sites for
adherence to dust control requirements.
Indoor air quality in city-owned
facilities such as libraries, museums and
other public buildings.
Inspections of construction and
industrial sites (public and private)
- Hazardous Materials/Waste management to
include:
The evaluation and
abatement of asbestos and lead-based paint
at all city-owned public facilities.
Hazardous materials
response and clean-up of illegal dumping and
other hazardous waste spills in all public
areas served by the City of Mesa.
Meeting Federal and
State regulations outlined for all
city-owned underground and above ground fuel
storage tanks.
- Administration and public education
- Other environmental and public health
programs
Will this fee be used to fund the maintenance of
private drainage easements and retention basins or
to correct private drainage issues?
No. This fee is paid by all utility
customers, including County island residents and
Magma and is to fund City programs. It would
be unfair for the City to spend more money on
private property issues than on the common areas
available to the general public.
I live in a county island or Magma customer
service area; why am I being charged the fee?
As a customer receiving City of Mesa services,
you benefit from the environmental programs and
services funded by this fee.
I have been complaining to the City about
drainage issues on or near my property for a long
time and nothing gets done. Will this fee
address this problem now?
Many drainage complaints that the City receives
are for problems on private property that the City
has no authority to address. The existence of
this fee will not change that.
Since part of this fee covers stormwater, will I
still be charged if does not rain?
Yes. Even in dry weather, the City must continue
regular maintenance and repair of the storm drain
system, keep pollution out of the system, and
educate the public on stormwater quality issues.
We need to be prepared for when it does rain. The
stormwater system is still there whether it rains or
not.
How will this fee be billed?
The fee will be included in your monthly City of
Mesa Utility Bill (either solid waste, water,
electric, or gas).
Why not provide this fee in a bill separate from
my utility bill?
It is less costly to attach this fee to an
existing utility bill than to mail out separate
bills.
If I am only paying a bill for any period shorter
or longer than a full month, will my fee be
prorated?
Yes, there will be situations where the City
prorates utility bills. In these cases, the
Federal Environmental Compliance fee will also be
prorated.
Who do I contact with billing questions?
Contact the Customer Service Operations Call
Center at 480-644-2221.
Who do I contact for more information about the
fee and what it is used for?
Contact the Environmental Programs Department at
480-644-3599.
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