Centerville business owners press council to delay storm-drain fee increase, dispute four‑year backbilling

Business owners and property owners told the Centerville City Council on Jan. 7 that a recent recalculation of storm‑drain utility fees, a request that some pay four years of retroactive charges and a 50% citywide fee increase implemented Dec. 26 have produced unexpected, large bills for commercial accounts and warrant more public outreach and a staff review.

The complaints began during the meeting’s open‑session public comment period, where multiple speakers described heavy commercial impacts and urged the council to hold a public hearing or work session before enforcing the full backbilling and new rate. “It’s just not right, folks. It’s not right,” said Rick, a Centerville resident and business owner who said he had served on the city council when the storm‑drain fund was first initiated.

Why it matters: The recalculation affects both the city’s short‑term revenues and businesses’ multi‑year budgets. Commenters said some commercial accounts face thousands to tens…