Clear Lake homeowners win drainage fee battle

HOUSTON, TX The drainage fee ordinance passed last fall. It gives the city of Houston authority to pass on a fee to homeowners and businesses to improve drainage. However, Clear Lake's sewers and drainage facilities are operated and maintained by the Clear Lake Water Authority.

Homeowners feel they should not have to pay the fee since they won't benefit from the services and they took their battle to city hall. Tuesday afternoon, the Clear Lake Super Neighborhood Council said that Houston Mayor Annise Parker determined property owners in Clear Lake City should be exempt from the fee. They say that Clear Lake residents do not need to return the protest form in order to receive the exemption.

However, the council adds that the mayor said the Clear Lake City Water Authority is not exempt from the fee, which could still result in Clear Lake taxpayers indirectly paying the drainage fee. The group plans to continue to push Houston's city council for further clarification of the issue.