Show All Answers

1. What is the Consumer Price Index?

CPI stands for the Consumer Price Index and is a statistic that measures inflation.

2. What is this assessment for?

For stormwater related essential services within the City including, but not limited to:

• Maintenance and operation of the public stormwater system
• Flood prevention and response
• Construction of stormwater treatment facilities
• Water quality monitoring

3. Is this a new assessment?

No, this assessment has been around since 1990 when the Stormwater Utility was established in Titusville.

4. How will the Stormwater Utility Fee be billed?

The charge is a service fee, not a tax. However, to save administrative costs, it will be billed annually on the property tax bill and collected by the tax collector.

5. What period of time does the Stormwater Utility Fee cover and when will the Fee be payable?

The Stormwater Utility Fee is charged once annually, covers the fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) and is payable, as a non-ad valorem assessment in your tax bill, each year between November 1 and March 31.

6. I don't pay taxes now due to homestead exemption. Will I have to pay the stormwater charge?

Yes. Stormwater charges are different than ad valorem taxes and the stormwater charge applies to all developed property uses regardless of homestead exemption.

7. I received a discount for early payment of my taxes. Will I receive the same discount for my stormwater charge?

Yes. The same discounts and penalties applicable to ad valorem taxes will also apply to stormwater charges collected on the tax bill.

8. I currently claim a deduction for property taxes on my income tax return each year; can I claim a deduction for this stormwater charge?

This is a question for your tax adviser. However, generally a stormwater charge against your residence is not a valid income tax deduction. However, if you own rental property or a business, the stormwater charge may be deductible when computing your income taxes. Please contact your accountant or income tax preparer for information regarding your specific situation.

9. I have a tenant in my house. Should the tenant pay the stormwater charge or will I have to pay it as the property owner?

Like property taxes, stormwater charges are billed to property owners only; each property owner or landlord will have to determine how the tenant should share in the stormwater charge costs.

10. What is an Equivalent Residential Unit or ERU?

An ERU is a unit of measure which serves as an index to compare the runoff generated by different size properties with different amounts of impervious surface. Impervious surface is any surface which does not allow water to pass through to the soil. Rooftops, driveways, parking lots and streets are familiar examples of impervious surface.

The equivalent residential unit in the city for the purpose of service charge ratemaking has been determined through engineering analysis to be a gross area of 11,000 square feet and a coefficient of runoff of 0.30.

Because the hydrologic response of all detached single-family residential properties is substantially similar to this equivalent unit definitions, they shall be billed for one equivalent residential unit.

11. There are no stormwater structures or stormwater problems in my neighborhood, so why should I have to pay?

All residents benefit when stormwater system improvements are made:

• Improving drainage ensures that residents can evacuate safely in the event of a major flood.
• All residents contribute to pollution when they drive their cars on public roads.
• Flood control projects reduce expensive damage to public infrastructure. Roadbeds that are protected by a flood control project do not have to be replaced as often, saving tax dollars.
• Excess lawn chemicals contribute to run off and groundwater pollution.
• Runoff from your area may cause problems elsewhere.
• Restoring and preserving Titusville’s waterways ensures that commercial and recreational industries based on healthy marine life can function profitably and support local jobs.
• Improving water quality ensures that natural amenities we all enjoy will continue for future generations.

12. Where can I get more information?

For more information or specific property information, please email the Stormwater Utility Management Division or call 321-567-3832.