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A news alert for the elected officials in our member communities highlighting key water infrastructure legislative issues and events for which NEORSD is advocating on behalf of your constituents and our customers.
 

Suburban Council of Governments Election Meeting

The NEORSD Suburban Council of Governments will meet on Thursday, January 30, 2014, at the District’s Environmental & Maintenance Service Center. The meeting will begin at 10:15 a.m., immediately following the Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association meeting. The purpose of the meeting will be to appoint an NEORSD Board member for the term commencing March 2, 2014 through March 1, 2019. 
 
In accordance with the Court Orders creating NEORSD, and in conjunction with the By-Laws created by the Suburban Council of Governments, this seat is the one representing West Side member communities. To that end, each West Side member community of Subdistrict 2 (the Suburban member communities) is entitled to make one nomination, and all of the communities (both East and West) will be eligible to vote on the nominations. 
 
The nominations must be made in writing to the President of the Suburban Council of Governments, Moreland Hills Mayor Susan Renda, no later than January 23, 2014. Nominations must be made with the knowledge and permission of the nominee, and a written summary of qualifications, not to exceed 150 words, should also be submitted. Questions may also be directed to Mayor Renda at srenda@morelandhills.com.
 

Cleveland billing water and sewer separately

In November, the City of Cleveland separated their water bill from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s sewer bill. The two bills – one from the Sewer District and one from Cleveland Water – arrive in separate envelopes and must be paid separately.

For more information about the bill separation, please call the City of Cleveland Division of Water at 216.664.3130.

Want to learn more? Visit neorsd.org to find out what we're doing today to protect our precious waterways.

STORMWATER LITIGATION UPDATE

On September 26, 2013 the 8th District Court of Appeals ruled that the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (“District”) lacked the authority to implement its Regional Stormwater Management Program (“RSMP”). Amidst a lengthy and compelling dissenting opinion, the majority ruled that the term “waste water” as defined by Chapter 6119 of the Ohio Revised Code cannot be interpreted to allow the District to manage intercommunity stormwater related issues throughout Northeast Ohio. Additionally, the opinion asserted that the District was overstepping the bounds of its legislative authority by imposing an “unauthorized charge” in the form of the Stormwater Fee associated with the Program.

As a result of this ruling, the District no longer possesses the authority to administer the RSMP or to collect the fees related to the initiative. The monies collected to date are being held in an interest bearing escrow account until a final resolution of the case, including all appeals, is reached. Further, the court’s decision bars the District from undertaking the numerous and worthwhile community based stormwater operation, maintenance, and construction projects the RSMP would have provided, many of which were underway.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District remains steadfast in its belief that a comprehensive stormwater management program is necessary for Northeast Ohio. To that end, the District and its partners have worked diligently preparing to appeal the 8th District Court of Appeals decision to the Ohio Supreme Court. Sixteen communities within the District’s service area have signed on to an amicus brief with the Sewer District imploring the Supreme Court to review the 8th District ruling. The City of Cleveland filed a separate brief with the Court as well in support of the RSMP. 

Finally, the Cleveland Metroparks in addition to state and national wastewater trade associations including the Association of Ohio Metropolitan Wastewater Agencies (“AOMWA”), the Coalition of Ohio Regional Districts (“CORD”) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (“NACWA”), respectively, also submitted briefs in support of the District’s appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court. All briefs were filed on November 12, 2013, and a decision on whether or not the Court will hear the District’s appeal should come early next year.

A copy of the 8th District opinion can be viewed HERE [PDF].

We understand many customers have questions about their bills following the news that we can no longer collect fees for stormwater management. We have already begun fielding questions in our Customer Service department and online. The most frequently asked questions, and our responses, can be viewed at neorsd.org/stormwaterFAQ.

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Other questions?

If you have other questions regarding the Regional Stormwater Management Program, feel free to contact Frank Greenland, Director of Watershed Programs, at 216.881.6600 or at GreenlandF@neorsd.org.

 

NEW SEWER RATES

The District's rate schedule for 2014 through 2016, effective January 1, 2014, is as follows:

*MCF = 1,000 cubic feet of water, or 7,480 gallons.
† = Homestead or Affordability Program rate. Call 216.881.8247 for more information.
 

COST-SAVING PROGRAMS

Residents may qualify for a cost-saving program to help them lower their sewer bill. We offer four cost-saving programs:

Homestead
Available to customers 65+, or under 65 and totally disabled. Income limits change annually. Application at neorsd.org/save

Wastewater Affordability
Eligibility criteria is based on income and number of people in your household. Details are available at neorsd.org/rates

Summer Sprinkling
Bases summer water consumption on winter use, unless actual summer consumption is lower. neorsd.org/summer

Crisis Assistance Program
Is a change in marital status, employment, or medical bills affecting your ability to pay? Learn more and download an application at neorsd.org/save

TO QUALIFY, THE PROPERTY MUST BE OWNER-OCCUPIED.

Residents can contact their billing agent for details:
In Berea, call (440) 891-3308
In Cleveland Heights, call (216) 291-5995
In North Royalton, call (440) 582-6234
In Cleveland or other suburbs, call (216) 881-8247
 


Copyright © 2014 Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
3900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115

For questions related to NEORSD Government Affairs and this publication, contact Darnella Robertson at 216.881.6600 or robertsond@neorsd.org.