UPDATE: Lowering of Florissant Sewer Lateral Fund 'Up in the Air'

Update as of Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.

The Florissant City Council made moves toward lowering the sewer lateral tax for residents, but residents could still see a $50 assessment in the property tax bill next month.

Despite passing an action during Wednesday night’s budget hearing, the legality of the action has been questioned, and time is running out to lower the tax this year.

“It’s up in the air,” Ward 4 Councilman Keith English said. “The city attorney is looking into it.”

The tax must be lowered by Friday so that it would be in effect for the property tax bill coming out next month.

Ward 7 Councilwoman Karen McKay motioned to lower the sewer lateral fee from $50 to $28 at the . The council passed her motion by a 5-4 vote.

However, on Thursday afternoon, Mayor Tom Schneider called to review the legality of the action, English said. Furthermore, the council may have to write and pass an ordinance for the reduction, which could cause greater problems.

“If an ordinance is needed, I don’t know if it would be possible to pass,” English said.

As it stands, the city has projected the fund to have $2 million in the sewer lateral fund. English said the fund generates $800,000 each year and approximately $200,000 is spent.

According to numbers obtained from Ward 1 Councilman Tim Lee, more than $414,000 was spent from the sewer lateral fund during the 2010 fiscal year. So far, in 2011, more than $437,000 has been spent. As of Sept. 30, $1.6 million sits in the sewer lateral emergency fund balance. 

If the tax was lowered to $28, the tax would still generate $300,000, English said.

The sewer lateral program insures homeowners against sewer lateral failures, as the repairs could cost residents thousands of dollars.

Ward 6 Councilman Pat Stinnett, who voted against the action on Wednesday, said he didn’t understand the rush of the action and the lack of discussion regarding lowering the sewer lateral tax.

“My thought, I don’t know if it’s a bad idea, but we need a legal interpretation for what we can or cannot do,” he said on Thursday afternoon.

Stinnett said he would like to see some additional discussion on the matter as well as exploration, such as increasing services and maintaining the current $50 tax.

English said that by the end of day on Friday, the matter would be resolved one way or another.