Stormwater Tax Tabled

Last evening at Roanoke City Council the decision was made to table, as far as I am aware indefinitely, the adoption and implementation of a new stormwater utility fee that would affect residents and commercial property owners.

I believe this was the right policy decision to make. We have to maintain a competitive advantage with our neighbors and not put ourselves in a position where locations outside the city are more attractive for employers to locate than locations within the city. A new tax on properties would serve to do just this.

I was pleased that Council made this decision and hope that it will spur us to work closer with our neighbors to address this and other issues that require regional solutions.