The Gary Storm Water Management District for the City of Gary, Indiana is charged with the responsibility of providing for the collection, disposal, and drainage of storm and service water and the relieving of sanitary sewers of such in the Storm Water Management District. Polluted stormwater runoff is discharged, often untreated, through the stormwater sewer system directly into local water bodies. According to the U.S. EPA, polluted stormwater runoff is a leading cause of impairment to the nearly 40 percent of surveyed U.S. water bodies which do not meet water quality standards. When left uncontrolled, this water pollution can result in the destruction of fish, wildlife, and aquatic life habitats. This polluted stormwater runoff also serves as a threat to public health due to contaminated food, drinking water supply, and recreational waterways.
The Federal Government has required all storm water districts to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act. To comply with this unfunded mandate, the Gary Storm Water District Board of Directors passed Resolution Number SW11-06 (July 2011) to establish the creation of a storm water district user fee. This resolution was Passed and Adopted by the City of Gary Common Council by final reading on August 2, 2011 (please refer to City of Gary Ordinance CP02011-41/Ordinance 8472).
BENEFITS OF STORM WATER USER FEE
The user fee is an Unfunded Mandate from the Federal Government that will improve the City in the following ways:
- Supplement Roadway Drainage Improvement
- Provide Long-Term Maintenance for Existing Storm Water Detention Best Management Practices for Municipal and Commercial Facilities
- Minimize Off-Site Sediment from Construction Sites
- Public Awareness & Pollution Prevention
- Routine Testing of Storm Water Outfalls
- Enforce Illicit Discharges into Waterways
- Wetland Protection
- Flooding Reduction
HOW THE USER FEES WERE DEVELOPED
Each parcel is assessed, either a flat monthly user fee or monthly user fee by acreage, based on the property class code that the property falls within (i.e., residential, commercial, vacant land, churches, charitable organizations, railroad and pipeline, cemetery, industrial, agricultural, etc.) (See User Fee Structure -Other side of this document).
HOW THE USER FEES ARE BILLED
All stormwater user fee bills shall be rendered on the Lake County Treasurer's Property Tax Bill and distributed as such. The stormwater user fee shall be due on the same payment date as the Lake County Treasurer's Tax Bill. It shall be a violation to fail to pay a stormwater user fee when due. All bills for stormwater user fees not paid on or before the due date shall be subject to a collection or deferred payment charge as rendered by the Lake County Treasurer and shall be reflected in the Lake County Treasurer's Tax Bill.
HOW TO MINIMIZE COST FOR NONPROFITS, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, AND HOMEOWNERS: (NEW)
- Pay the stormwater bill when due. Late fees and penalties caused by nonpayment are subject to various state, county, local laws, and/or ordinances and are non-negotiable unless there was an assessment error.
- For information on appropriate property codes and combining contiguous properties as an option to reduce financial impacts, contact the Calumet Township Assessor's Office at (219) 885-0555.
MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE USER FEE
A full explanation of how the user fee is determined is available at:
- Gary Sanitary District office at 3600 W. 3rd Avenue Gary, IN 46406
- City of Gary's Information Desk and/or Council Office, 401 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402
- Websites: garysanitary.gov, gary.gov, or garycommoncouncil.com
Please direct any further questions to the Gary Storm Water Management District-MS4 Program at 219-882-3000
APPEAL FOR FEE DETERMINATION
Please download and complete the appeal form and provide the required additional supporting documentation including, but not limited to:
- Appeal Form (Click here to download)
- Copy of Property Tax Bill for Parcel;
- Copy of paid receipt for property tax bill if seeking reimbursement;
- Written statement explaining the basis for the appeal; and
- Copy of signed combination request form from Lake County Auditor (if applicable)
| Property Class Code | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|
| 100 - 199 Agricultural | 20 acres or less = $2.50 per month. Greater than 20 acres = $0.125 per acre per month. |
| 300 Industrial Vacant Land | 20 acres or less = $2.50 per month. Greater than 20 acres = $0.125 per acre per month. |
| 320 - 399 Industrial | $35.00 per month |
| 400 Commercial Vacant Land | 20 acres or less = $2.50 per month. Greater than 20 acres = $0.125 per acre per month. |
| 401 Commercial Apartment 4-19 Units | $15.00 per month |
| 402 - 499 All commercial including apartment buildings over 19 units | $35.00 per month |
| 500 - 509 Residential Vacant Land | .25 acres or less = $0.50 per month .251 acres to 20 acres = $2.50 per month Greater than 20 acres = $0.125 per acre per month |
| 510 - 545 Residential Single Family Duplex and Three Unit including excess acreage | $5.00 per month |
| 550 Residential Condo | $5.00 per month |
| 599 Other Residential Structure | $5.00 per month |
| 650 Board of Education | Schools are not charged |
| 600, 610, 620, 621, 622, 630, 640, 645, 660, 661, 662,665,669 | State, county, municipal and other exempt properties are not charged |
| 670 Exempt private academy/college | Schools are not charged |
| 680, 685, 686 Charitable, religious and churches | $15.00 per month |
| 690 Cemetery | 6.66 acres or less = $2.50 per month. Greater than 6.66 acres = $0.375 per acre per month. |
| 699 Other Exempt Properties | Not charged |
| 805 Utility Vacant Land | .25 acres or less = $0.50 per month. .251 acres to 20 acres = $2.50 per month. Greater than 20 acres = $0.125 per acre per month. |
| 820 Heat and Power Utilities | $35.00 per month |
| 821 State Assessed LHP | $25.00 per month |
| 830- 841 Railroad and Pipeline | 20 acres or less = $2.50 per month. Greater than 20 acres = $0.125 per acre per month. |
| 850 - 871 Sewerage; Phone and Water Utilities | $35.00 per month |
