Anniston Council delays vote on stormwater tax

The Anniston city council is giving local property owners more time to comment on a proposal that would increase their tax bills to help cover city stormwater maintenance costs.  The Council Monday held the first reading of an ordinance to levy a fee on city non-residential and residential property owners to generate money for stormwater drainage system maintenance only. City Manager Brian Johnson said the council could have approved the actual fee Monday, but chose to wait until next month.  The council plans to vote on implementing the fee at its July 14 meeting. The council first announced its plan to possibly implement the fee in May.  If approved, the fee will appear on the Calhoun County Department of Revenue's annual property tax bills in September. The city estimates the fee could generate around $300,000 annually.