How Will The Fee Be Calculated?

Since a stormwater utility is a fee for service, all properties are charged regardless of their tax status. In Ferguson, properties are charged per ERU or equivalent residential unit. In determining what an ERU equals, staff examined every residential property in the Township and calculated an average amount of impervious area for residential lots. This was determined to be 3,097 square feet, which is used to define one ERU. For non- residential properties, the number of ERUs assigned is determined by dividing the total impervious area of the parcel by 3,097 square feet. A property's fee is then determined by multiplying the number of ERUs that apply to the property by the rate per ERU. Once that amount is determined, any credits or exemptions that apply are deducted and the difference represents the final fee assessed to the property. 

In 2023, the rate per ERU is proposed to be $119 for properties inside the Regional Growth Boundary and $75 for properties outside the Regional Growth Boundary. For all single-family residential properties in the Township, regardless of their size of impervious, the assessment will be one ERU. For other uses, the total square footage of impervious will be translated to a number of ERUs. For example, a commercial property with 10,000 square feet of impervious surface will be assessed 3 ERUs (10,000 sq. ft. divided by 3,097 sq. ft. per EDU = 3.23 ERUs, which is then rounded to 3 ERUs. If the property is inside the Regional Growth Boundary, the total fee in 2023 will equal $357.00, which can be reduced by as much as 40% with credits that the property owner may apply for if eligible.

Each year, as part of the budgeting process, the Stormwater Fund will be evaluated and the rate per ERU will be determined based on the approved expenditures in the fund. Therefore, the rate may increase or decrease depending on the approved budget and will be formally set by the Board of Supervisors annually by resolution. The assessment will show up on the tax bill if the property is subject to taxation and will be billed separately if the property is tax-exempt. Staff has prepared a spreadsheet that lists each property in the Township by Parcel ID and address, along with an estimate of the fee applicable to each property in fiscal year 2023. This does not take into account any potential eligible credits on properties and does not reflect all of the proposed partial or full exemptions that may apply. The most current form of the spreadsheet is available on the website for review. Any questions about the proposed fee methodology can be directed to the Ferguson Township Public Works Director by calling (814) 238-4651 or by email at dmodricker@twp.ferguson.pa.us.