Created: 7/28/2009 4:35:48 PM 
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Last year, Paula Logan paid the Stormwater fee, but this year she is digging in her heels.
"We do not have storm drains, and I don't feel we should have to pay the fee again," says Logan.
Logan lives on Acme Street. Her neighbors Shirley Gray and Marilyn Kelly share the same concern.
Gray says, "When it rains, it floods in front of my door. I can't get out of the car." Kelly added, "When it rains, I have to get a shovel to create a trench so the water will run off."
They have all signed a petition asking the Mayor to exempted them from the $60 fee.
"At first I thought it was a one time fee, and now when I think about the fact that we don't even have storm drains, why should we have to pay it?" asks Logan.
So far, 40 plus homeowners on Acme Street have signed the petition. But city officials, while emphatic with the residents, say the fee is for every property owner shares in the future of the St. Johns River.
John Pappas, Deputy Director of Public Works says,"The Stormwater fee funds the Jacksonville Stormwater Utility, which is responsible for maintaining and improving the city's stormwater management system."
Pappas adds, "The stormwater fee isn't just about flooding and storm drains, it is also about the impact of stormwater runoff on the St. Johns River, and they also share in that."
Logan and her neighbors say they will continue their petition effort.
As individual property owners they can apply for an adjustment or an exemption. The adjustment could be based on income, the exemption would be only if they were a 501c.
However, they would have to make their request before July 31st.
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