The controversial Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, which the City Council abolished at the end of 2009 after voters approved ballot issue 300, is winding down.
The city today announced that the estimated 20,000 customers who paid their storm water fees in advance will start to get refund checks the last week of January.
Customers received a 5 percent discount if they paid four or more quarters in advance.
The refunds, which total about $700,000, could range between $6.45 for residential customers and up to $11,040 for commercial customers with large properties.
“I know we have (a residential customer who) initially paid 30 years in advance,” city spokeswoman Mary Scott said. “Right when we first started, they said, ‘Here’s my payment for the next 30 years.’ But that’s an anomaly. That’s not normal.”
Scott said customers owed a refund may want to verify that their name and address is correct in the El Paso County Assessor database, which the city-owned enterprise used to send out bills to Colorado Springs property owners.
Scott also encouraged customers who used automatic bill pay to stop future payments because the city is still getting money from accounts with no balance due. However, those customers will also receive refunds, she said.
“We think they most likely had automatic bill pay … and they haven’t turned that off yet,” she said.
Call the enterprise at 385-5913 if you have any questions.
Customers will no longer be billed for storm water fees, but city officials are expecting people to pay their bills through 2009. The last bill from 2009 will be due at the end of this month.
“For those who have not paid, the city will pursue collections, whether that’s through liens on property or through collections agencies,” Mayor Lionel Rivera said in December. “The $1.7 million that’s still owed the city, we’re not just going to wave our hands and say it’s going to go away.”
Scott said the plan is to return to council members around February or March to ask how they want the enterprise to pursue collections.
Hah! Guess I won’t be getting a refund as I REFUSED to pay their TAX on water. Imagine that!
MM
Not so fast, MOM -
The Lien still holds up your property. Refunds are only for 2010 overpayments. no more, no less
Not according to the letter I received. Looks like I’m literally “home free.” They come after me, they’re going to get a lawsuit up their collective behinds.
MM
I paid through Q3 on all my properties. The election was held at the beginning of Q4. I’m not paying Q4 bills. Good luck trying to collect.
Could be you’re ‘home free’ only because your home’s not in the city. Are you conning us?
not so fast with that lawsuit, Mom. If you live in Manitou like your moniker alleges, you aren’t a Colorado Springs land owner. SWENT neither owes you anything nor will bill or lien your property outside city limits.
You’re busted. How naive to you take us for?
Have not paid it, and don’t plan too. It is time for a change in city council, like the officials in Washington, they simply are not hearing the voters.
I think notsofast is part of the city government. they talk like such a know-it-all. probably dont have any real friends.