why would people vote for the drainage fee? (Houston, Bellaire: renters, credit)

[stoneclaw]

It's bogus. The water and sewer rates already go up about 3% every year. They went up about 25-30% this year. It's already outrageous. Who in their right mind would vote FOR it and why? I didn't understand the way the question was worded when i went to vote this tues, so i left it blank. But i work for the water department and they just announced that it was approved and the rate will be determined in July 2011.

Prices are getting too ridiculous to live in a big sprawly city like Houston with poor mass transit and poor entertainment options. (End rant)

[oceangaia]

The reason is simple - OPM. Other People's Money. Or so they think.

[SomeoneInTexas]

Yes. Probably passed because of the "pay-as-you-go" ( sounds conservative).

[Bily Lovec]

poor entertainment ?
really ?
what do you require, more monster truck races ?
NASCAR ?

did you read the Bill ? Houston has a horrible problem with drainage, Im surprised you're not for it, you may get a raise out of the deal

[stoneclaw]

Originally Posted by Bily Lovec

poor entertainment ?
really ?
what do you require, more monster truck races ?
NASCAR ?

did you read the Bill ? Houston has a horrible problem with drainage, Im surprised you're not for it, you may get a raise out of the deal

seriously doubt it. raises don't come to the little guy, they only go to the big monguls downtown.

DiverTodd62, maybe i'm a little slow but what do you mean by other people's money? It's still my money going into the fee every month on top of the already outrageous water bills. All in all, i think its just another desparate way for the City to make $$$ to minimize their debt loads. Just watch, in five years, nothing will change. The lower income areas are still going to have drainage problems and massive flooding. The wealthier areas already enjoy less flooding even today.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by stoneclaw

seriously doubt it. raises don't come to the little guy, they only go to the big monguls downtown.

DiverTodd62, maybe i'm a little slow but what do you mean by other people's money? It's still my money going into the fee every month on top of the already outrageous water bills. All in all, i think its just another desparate way for the City to make $$$ to minimize their debt loads. Just watch, in five years, nothing will change. The lower income areas are still going to have drainage problems and massive flooding. The wealthier areas already enjoy less flooding even today.

That's because you're a property owner. Think of all the renters out there who figure the evil landlord can afford it. Of course, they seldom think far enough ahead to realize that they will be paying that fee in their rent.

[donhalljobs]

The city needs money for better drainage. They can either issue municipal debt to cover the drainage, pay interest on the debt, and then raise property taxes to cover the cost; or they can cut out the interest and just charge a drainage fee.

Which would you prefer?

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Originally Posted by donhalljobs

The city needs money for better drainage. They can either issue municipal debt to cover the drainage, pay interest on the debt, and then raise property taxes to cover the cost; or they can cut out the interest and just charge a drainage fee.

Which would you prefer?

I would prefer the Harris County Flood Control District continue to do their job, that is what I prefer.


What plans, or architecture studies have you seen relating to this new tax? Oh, did I say TAX? I meant "service fee".

None. You have not, because they don't exist. Those who live in Houston's city limit have written a blank check. There is no such plan, or requirement to say the money they collect won't go to someone's Christmas bonus, or trips overseas. Furthermore, why compete with the county flood control district? Houstonian's don't know what they have done, unfortunately, it's too late.

If Houston was sincere, why only the City of Houston? Does rain not fall in the Villages, Bellaire, West U, unincorporated Harris County? Does it only rain in Houston and the thin strips of land all along I45 all the way to Clear Lake, and then Clear Lake only? What a scam!

[predatorprey]

No idea. I was against it.

Wonder if we get a credit on drought years.

[wescovy]

Prop 1 was about providing better drainage and streets by setting up a user fee of sorts. The proceeds from this fee will go to an enterprise fund that will be used only for street repair, and drainage facilities with the idea that both will help promote better drainage. The day of the vote saw a bunch of streets flooded when the rain the night before wasn't even that great. The Montrose area and a lot of residential areas in "near town" see drainage problems because the streets and the gutters are old and out-dated. The truth is that drainage, and street flooding won't get fixed till we "pay" for it.

The enterprise fund will make sure that the money doesn't go into the City's general fund and get absorbed (no pun intended). This is a twenty-year program and will create (or fund) possibly thousands of jobs for concrete workers, survey techs, construction workers, engineers, and designers. This infrastructure will help create better drainage and improved streets much like the New Deal created dams and bridges.

I agree that drainage is the responsibility of the city and Harris County Flood Control but the fact of the matter is that this problem is way too big and expensive without additional funding. And that is why I think it passed.