BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The April 19, 2022 meeting of the Raleigh County Commission saw discussion of several contentious issues, not the least of which was the proposed increase of stormwater fees by the Beckley Sanitary Board.
If passed, the proposed increase would double stormwater fees in many residential areas, including some outside of Beckley city limits. Commission President Tolliver criticized this notion, pointing out that residents being forced to pay for a service that does not benefit them acts as an example of taxation without representation.
“The Commission is not in agreement with this [increase],” Tolliver said during the meeting. “The clean water act puts it upon the EPA to come up with rules and regulations which flow down to the sanitary board.”
Tolliver also stated that the Commission is currently in discussion with Commission Attorney Bill Roop on how best to proceed with this matter. Roop, who spoke at the meeting, said,
“At the Commission’s request, we’re exploring all legal avenues that the residents of the county outside of the city limits may have available. Due to the enormous increase, we’re looking at the charge by the city, or the sanitation board, for rainwater. There’s a recent case in Virginia that has [gone] to federal court, and to the 4th circuit, [in which] the judge has ruled against the EPA.”
During the session, Tolliver even suggested the possibility of filing suit against the Beckley Sanitary Board should the proposed rate increase come to pass.
The decision of whether or not the stormwater rate increase is implemented will come down to a vote from the City Council of Beckley which will take place next week on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
Also discussed during the April 19 Commission meeting was the White Oak Waterline Extension Project, which would bring the percentage of city residents receiving Raleigh County water to 97%.
A $300,000 grant was approved during Tuesday’s session, and this money will be utilized in the funding of the waterline project.
More information on stormwater utility fees can be found at the Beckley Sanitary Board website, here.