Alaska, pros and cons?

**2dumb2kwit** · 02-12-2011, 05:58 PM

Oops...my bad....it looks like it's a flat rate for residential, now.

Storm Water and Solid Waste Fees:
Billing for storm water and solid waste fees in Chesapeake is conducted by the City Treasurer. The storm water assessment is $44.10 for improved residential properties due semi-annually on June 5 and December 5 of each calendar year. The solid waste assessment is $18.00 for residential properties due semi-annually on June 5 and December 5 of each fiscal year.

**2dumb2kwit** · 02-12-2011, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

No, I don't get post #16--2D. I just can't even wrap my mind around it.
I know you were joking.

Yep....they say it's for maintaining the ditches, etc.
Funny thing is...public works used to clean the ditches. Now there is a tax to pay for the "storm water" issues separately,(a whole new "division", I guess you'd call it.) but the taxes that were going to public works didn't go down any.

**crashdive123** · 02-12-2011, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

What?! I honestly don't get it.

It's happening here, as it is in many places. One article sites it as being EPA driven, but I think politicians just like using the word fee when it comes to taxes. Kind of like investment for spending.

http://www.jaxobserver.com/2010/03/2...-storm-runoff/

http://www.news4jax.com/news/19605821/detail.html

**Sourdough** · 02-12-2011, 06:23 PM

Hey........Lady B, there is a tax on Outhouse doors here. Hehehehehe (OK, that is not true. But they do tax your driveway).

**BENESSE** · 02-12-2011, 06:26 PM

Well, I'll be...
$$$ going to neighborhoods that flood. Well, if you're living in a neighborhood that floods, move. Why should I pay for it?

**BENESSE** · 02-12-2011, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Sourdough

Hey........Lady B, there is a tax on Outhouse doors here. Hehehehehe (OK, that is not true. But they do tax your driveway).

What?! How so?

**crashdive123** · 02-12-2011, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

Well, I'll be...
$$$ going to neighborhoods that flood. Well, if you're living in a neighborhood that floods, move. Why should I pay for it?

Ah, but I do not live in a neighborhood that floods. In fact, very few do because of the sandy soil. We had over 20 inches of rain during the last tropical storm. I still drove around just fine. The ones that should, IMO be charged are the ones that have biiiiig parking lots and concrete infrastructure that prevents water from draining into the soil. I certainly don't mind paying my fair share, but this particular one got a lot of people up in arms because of implementing tax cuts in one area (that were not asked for) and then doing a city wide "fee" like this that hit everybody. (gee - politics at play) Jacksonville is the largest city (land mass wise) in the United States with a population just shy of one million. Rivers and streams abound. The only areas that water run off is an issue is where the city planners screwed up.

At least we're not told we cannot collect rainwater like in Colorado since the state owns that rainwater once it leaves the cloud.

**Sourdough** · 02-12-2011, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Sourdough
But they do tax your driveway.

What?! How so?

Tax Assessment: One of my driveways is assessed at $5,000.-- the other driveways is assessed at $6,500.-- The water well is assessed at $5,500.00 The septic system is assessed at $8,500.--

**crashdive123** · 02-12-2011, 07:06 PM

They were going to assess the cabin until they realized the floor didn't have any insulation. Then they figured it must be a shed and were going to assess it accordingly. That's when ole Sourdough, being the smart pilot biscuit that he is, sited a little known municipal code that stated "tool sheds are not to be assessed". The county assessor argued that there was no way this was a tool shed. Sourdough had that one figured out too. He said "yes sir - this is where I keep my tool". Then he showed him. Ever since then, driveways in Alaska have been assessed. It is rumored that the county assessor will complete his psychological counseling this summer.

**2dumb2kwit** · 02-12-2011, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Sourdough

Originally Posted by Sourdough
But they do tax your driveway.

What?! How so?

Tax Assessment: One of my driveways is assessed at $5,000.-- the other driveways is assessed at $6,500.-- The water well is assessed at $5,500.00 The septic system is assessed at $8,500.--

$8,500 for an outhouse, with no door??? Dang! LOL

**BENESSE** · 02-12-2011, 07:24 PM

We in NYC are in our own world of WTF. But I truly don't understand the idea (stupid or not) behind assessing a driveway or a shed.
Is that like paying property taxes on a house? (that I remember from our previous life)

**Sourdough** · 02-12-2011, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

They were going to assess the cabin until they realized the floor didn't have any insulation. Then they figured it must be a shed and were going to assess it accordingly. That's when ole Sourdough, being the smart pilot biscuit that he is, sited a little known municipal code that stated "tool sheds are not to be assessed". The county assessor argued that there was no way this was a tool shed. Sourdough had that one figured out too. He said "yes sir - this is where I keep my tool". Then he showed him. Ever since then, driveways in Alaska have been assessed. It is rumored that the county assessor will complete his psychological counseling this summer.

Crash, You are one sick puppy and that is one of the many things I like about you.

**Alaskan Survivalist** · 02-12-2011, 09:38 PM

The outdoors is never far away and hiked one of the mountains around Anchorage last week with my friend Bergmann. Here's a 360 view from the summit. Anchorage is our biggest city and you'll see it below in the last picture with Bergmann in photo.

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**randyt** · 02-13-2011, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

We in NYC are in our own world of WTF. But I truly don't understand the idea (stupid or not) behind assessing a driveway or a shed.

The idea behind it is to extract money from the people.

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 02-13-2011, 08:59 AM

Yes it is storm water run off tax. Here is why it bothers me. It is assesed by acreage not roof sq. ft. Damnedest thing is I own the flipping ditch too! and I am responsible for keeping it clear! Yeah Rick, maybe I should send them a durn bill for the water I collect and keep from falling on my 8 acres!
'
End Rant