This is an unfunded mandate. Asotin County should tell the feds that they are willing to comply if the feds send them the money to do so.
ASOTIN — The only feedback offered to Asotin County officials on a proposed stormwater rate increase Monday came from two people who are against it.
Howard Miller, who resides on Snake River Road outside the utility’s boundaries, told officials the regional program is a “scam” and he wants it dissolved.
“Scrub the stupid stormwater,” Miller said. “We don’t need it.”
Another Asotin County resident, who didn’t give his name, said his monthly income is $1,118 and increasing the monthly stormwater bill from $4 to $5 will affect his budget.
“I can’t even eat hamburger,” the man said, “and now I’ve got to eat bologna. How many departments do we need to run this little one-horse county?”
Officials explained the utility was established in 2011 because of a federal mandate and the regional program covers the cities of Asotin and Clarkston and urbanized areas of Asotin County.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, stormwater management is designed to reduce runoff of rainwater or melted snow and improve water quality.