How does a fee differ from a tax?
Revenue collected is all dollars paid, but there are some differences between a fee and a tax.
  • Dedicated funding: Fee income is segregated, and a stormwater fee can only be used for stormwater related costs. Tax dollars are available for almost any use, and competition for tax dollars usually results in infrastructure being under-funded.
  • Tax exempt property: Many properties in East Moline are granted tax exempt status, such as property owned by the City, County, School District, and churches. Many of the tax exempt properties have large amounts of impervious area. More burden would be placed on residents and local businesses if revenue is provided by property taxes. A fee is charged to all users with developed property.
  • User equity: Fees are more proportional and give users more control. With fees, larger users pay more, and smaller users pay less. Users can also change how much they are charged by taking steps to manage their own runoff.
If you have any questions, please contact the Engineering Department.

Show All Answers

1. Why does stormwater have to be managed?
2. What is a stormwater utility?
3. Why is the stormwater utility fee needed?
4. Who pays the stormwater utility fee? Why should churches, schools, and other non-profit organizations be charged a stormwater fee?
5. Under the new Stormwater Rate structure, how are properties with multiple renters handled?
6. What are the current stormwater utility rates?
7. How much will my rates increase?
8. Why a rate increase is required?
9. Can we delay the rate increase?
10. Can we implement a smaller rate increase?
11. Why are the new capital improvements required?
12. How do nearby municipalities handle stormwater charges?
13. How does a fee differ from a tax?
14. None of my water goes into the storm drains; why do I have to pay a stormwater utility fee?
15. What can nonresidential customers do if they think their bill may be calculated incorrectly?
16. I live on the edge of the city and water on my property drains away from streets and public drainage structures; why do I have to pay this fee?