FAQs • Bristol, TN • CivicEngage

Are other municipalities requiring citizens and businesses to pay a stormwater Utility Fee?: Yes, there are many other local municipalities collecting fees to provide for upgrades of existing infrastructure and development of new infrastructure for stormwater systems. The cities of Kingsport and Johnson City are the closest examples of municipalities operating a stormwater Utility for these very reasons. Both have been charging for stormwater utility services for several years. Outside the Tri-Cities region, cities such as Morristown, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Chattanooga, Spring Hill, and Nashville use a stormwater utility to provide for enhanced services relating to flood mitigation and water pollution control.

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1. How much is the connection fee for water, sanitary sewer, and/or trash service?: $30 or $40 depending on the location of the service.

2. How did stormwater utility billing service come into existence?: The City of Bristol has always provided stormwater utility services to
residents and businesses located within the City limits. Prior to July 1, 2014,
this service was primarily funded through property tax revenue. In order to
keep the 2014 property tax rate from increasing, the expenses associated
with maintaining the stormwater system throughout the City will now be
funded through a fee-based structure assessed on your monthly utility bill.

3. What is stormwater runoff, and how does it affect me?: Stormwater runoff is rainwater that flows off from any impervious material
on a piece of property. Examples of impervious materials are any type of
housing, driveways, parking lots, streets, hard packed dirt, and/or any other
type of material that prevents rainwater from being absorbed directly into
soil. Due to the nature of the surface, rainwater instead is diverted into the
stormwater system of ditches, culverts, catch basins, and storm sewers.
One issue that could affect citizens and businesses is a potential for localized
flooding due to the increased urbanization that has occurred in recent years.
This increased urbanization has led to additional impervious structures that
can increase the rate of rainwater runoff to a point where localized flooding
is possible.
In addition, this rainwater can carry many pollutants such as fertilizers,
pesticides, grass clippings, pet wastes, and other materials that must be
treated before being reentered into the general water supply. It is crucial
that the City acts proactively to prevent as much contaminated water from
entering the stormwater system as possible.
The fees collected will be used to fund improvements to existing stormwater
system infrastructure, build new stormwater system infrastructure, and
provide for street cleaning services to aid in prevention of localized flooding
and improvement of water quality for City citizens and businesses.

4. How did the City of Bristol develop its stormwater utility program?: Staff of the Public Works Department evaluated the current stormwater
system in place to determine improvements and any additional infrastructure
needed to adequately manage the runoff associated with stormwater within
the next 10 years. Staff of the Finance Department analyzed the estimated
costs within a multiple year financial model and determined it would not be
feasible to adequately maintain the stormwater system without a substantial
increase in the property tax rate.
The City then contracted with an independent organization specializing in
the research and implementation of stormwater utilities nationwide to
analyze data relating to the imperviousness of property within the City.
Based on this information, a fee structure was developed based on property
classification.

5. What are the stormwater rates?

Residential $ 2.00

0-300 sq. ft. $ 0.00

300-3,000 sq. ft. $ 2.00

3,000-6,000 sq. ft. $ 4.00

6,000-9,000 sq. ft. $ 6.00

9,000-15,000 sq. ft. $ 10.00

15,000-21,000 sq. ft. $ 14.00

21,000-30,000 sq. ft. $ 20.00

30,000-42,000 sq. ft. $ 28.00

42,000-57,000 sq. ft. $ 38.00

57,000-75,000 sq. ft. $ 50.00

75,000-99,000 sq. ft. $ 66.00

99,000-125,000 sq. ft. $ 70.00

Over 125,000 sq. ft. $ 80.00

6. How will the stormwater utility fee be charged?: The stormwater utility fee will be charged on a monthly utility bill. If you are a resident or business within the City, you most likely will already have a utility bill account. The additional stormwater Utility fee will be added to your current bill. If you do not have water, sewer, or solid waste service and live within the City limits, you will receive a new monthly bill with stormwater utility fees only. A new service code designated with the abbreviation “ST” will indicate you are being charged for stormwater utility services.

7. How did the City determine the amount to be charged on my utility bill for stormwater?: In coordination with an engineering consultancy firm, the City strived to develop a rate structure that was equitable and fair to residents and businesses alike. Properties that are determined to be single-family residential property will be charged $2.00 per month, while commercial, industrial, and other properties determined to be non-single-family residential property will be charged on a tiered rate schedule based on total imperviousness of the property.
The vast majority of the utility accounts and properties within the City will be charged at the single-family residential rate of $2.00 per month. While not all inclusive, the following are some examples of developed properties that will be included in the single-family residential property rate: single family homes; single family homes converted into duplexes, triplexes, etc; mobile homes; townhomes, apartments, and condominiums provided individual dwelling units do not have other dwelling units located above or below.
Non-single-family residential property includes developed property that does not fall into the above classification. Properties falling under this classification will be charged on an ascending rate schedule based on total imperviousness of the property. While not all inclusive, the following are some examples of developed properties that will be included in the non-single-family residential property rate: commercial property; industrial property; public buildings; storage buildings and areas with impervious surface area; parking lots; parks; multi-level townhomes, apartments, and condominiums.

8. Are other municipalities requiring citizens and businesses to pay a stormwater Utility Fee?: Yes, there are many other local municipalities collecting fees to provide for upgrades of existing infrastructure and development of new infrastructure for stormwater systems. The cities of Kingsport and Johnson City are the closest examples of municipalities operating a stormwater Utility for these very reasons. Both have been charging for stormwater utility services for several years. Outside the Tri-Cities region, cities such as Morristown, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Chattanooga, Spring Hill, and Nashville use a stormwater utility to provide for enhanced services relating to flood mitigation and water pollution control.

9. When will the stormwater fee take effect?: The fee will take effect on utility billings beginning July 1, 2014.

10. How can I learn more about the stormwater utility fee?: You can find a more detailed description of the stormwater utility fee by downloading Resolution 14-48 (http://bristoltn.org/DocumentCenter/View/2790), Ordinance 14-8 (http://bristoltn.org/DocumentCenter/View/2793) or by contacting the Department of Public Works at (423) 989-5566.
To learn more about what the City of Bristol is doing and what you can do to protect your water, please go to http://bristoltn.org/134/Stormwater-Information.

11. Do you offer payment extensions?: Yes, we do offer payment agreements if problems arise. You are allowed two payment agreements in a 12 month period. You must come into our office with valid ID to sign the agreement form. Agreement forms can only be signed by those named on the account. All forms must be signed by 5:00 P.M. the day prior to your scheduled disconnect date.

12. How can I change the name on my account?: If the name change is due to marriage, submit your request along with marriage certificate, or updated and valid driver's license.

If the name change is due to divorce, submit your request along with a copy of divorce papers showing the court order to change your last name.

If you are requesting to change the account holder name from your former spouse to your name, you must provide court documentation showing that you were awarded the property in the settlement, or your former spouse may notify our office.

If a spouse is deceased, the surviving spouse may submit a request for a name change to the account with a copy of the death certificate.

If you have inherited a property and need to change the account into your name, submit a copy of the will or deed. We will update the information on the account using your picture ID and social security card. There is no fee for this type of change.

Changing the name from one customer to another, excluding the above, requires the payment of a service fee and possible deposit.

13. What can I do if I find a water leak at my residence or business?: The city is responsible for the repair of leaks on the street side of the meter. Any repairs and consumption charges that result from damages on the customer side of the meter are the responsibility of the property owner. If you locate and repair a leak, bring a copy of your repair bill or any receipts where you purchased parts for repair to the office to see if you quality for an adjustment. We are also able to discuss payment agreements if needed.