To cover the rising cost of stormwater management, Lower Makefield Township has adopted a utility fee ordinance based on impervious surface area with tiered rates amounting to about $8.50 monthly for the average residential property. The dedicated stormwater utility fee, effective Jan. 1 of next yea r with the first bills mailed April 1, will be charged quarterly to residential and business property owners, as well as to non-profits like schools and churches. A 3 percent discount is available for annual payment. The new ordinance aims to raise millions of dollars to fund planned infrastructure investments and meet state and federal mandates. In addition, a stormwater fee credit policy might be added next month whereby credits could be provided for structural and non-structural practices that reduce stormwater runoff, lowering the fee due. The fees will be assessed based on the amount of impervious surface area on each property. Surface calculations were completed using high definition orthophotography with partial boundaries sourced from Bucks County land data. The stormwater utility fee is set on a ratio schedule. Tier 0: 0-299 square feet of impervious surface area assessed – no fee. Tier 1: 300-4,999 square feet of impervious surface – $8,50 per month. Tier 2: 5,000 or more square feet of impervious surface – $2,90 per 1,000 square feet of impervious surface area, or portion thereof, rounded up to the next thousand. In adopting the stormwater utility fee, Lower Makefield joins Middletown and Warminster townships in establishing the dedicated program. ...read more read less