Stormwater tax shouldn’t burden longtime residents

Regarding the city of Fayetteville’s proposed stormwater utility fee/tax, my first reaction to the proposed perpetual tax on pre-existing, longterm homeowners and businesses is negative.

Fayetteville’s current flooding problems are the result of new construction and development (in-fill policy) through no fault of my own. My home was built in the 1970s, long before the city’s current problems.

If our city wants to generate new revenue to address present-day problems, then look to new development sources that have caused or magnified the problem.

Pre-existing homeowners (say, those built prior to 2000) should be exempt from any tax and not punished for problems that are no fault of their own.

Our city should look toward generated new sources of revenue, apart from an additional tax on 100 percent of existing structures, such as:

1) Dedicating the new tax derived from Internet sales specifically for stormwater maintenance and flood control (this is brand new revenue not already committed, since it is new).

2) Finance stormwater problems via one-time bond issues that will eventually be paid off vs. living into eternity as the proposed stormwater tax will do.

3) Encourage existing homeowners, businesses, etc., to build water retention, environmental or decorative structures to slow rapid runoff with incentives, i.e., tax breaks, city honor roll recognition or other motivating ideas.

4) Re-evaluate proposed city projects and prioritize them in light of the need for stormwater finance needs. Money spent for a library expansion would appear to have a lesser need than flooding and sewer maintenance. Monies being spent on bike lane expansion throughout the town’s roadways, while nice for the very few riders who use them, are less justifiable than flood control. The Rolling Hills Avenue and Old Wire Road construction projects are expensive overkill for the very few who utilize them vs. the many victims of flooding and water runoff damage.

Northwest Arkansas and Fayetteville are spectacular places to live, raise families and conduct business and are exceptional geographic beauty and recreational opportunities in high demand by the many newcomers to our area.

Problems and expense needs caused by growth and newcomers should be disproportionately born by newcomers vs. taxing 100 percent of our population.

Be creative, city fathers, and be fair to all. JOHN S. NAGLE

Fayetteville