Many property owners call the rain tax unfair.

It’s not their property that caused flooding and drainage problems.

They blame developers in the Chapin and Irmo areas.

They say county officials let their developer friends build more than 4 homes an acre in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.

This over-developed property north of Lake Murray caused the major drainage and flooding problems.

Where was the county council when developers were over-building in these areas, they ask.

The tax, they say, would have to be paid by property owners in areas where storm water is no problem.

Property owners’ taxes will be based on an estimate of the added storm water run off it sends off its property.

This estimate is based on the size of rooftops, driveways, parking lots, etc. called “impervious areas.”

Yet the runoff in many parts of the county never leaves the property.

The average Lexington County home has about 2,800 square feet of impervious area and would be taxed even without rain runoff.

This is termed the “equivalent residential unit” or ERU.

The estimated monthly storm water tax will be billed annually beginning in October 2021 at $4-$8 a month per ERU.

County Council plans a public hearing at 6 pm Tuesday, Dec. 8. Should the tax pass a 2nd vote, a final vote would be Tuesday, Dec. 22.

Keep up with the latest news about this tax and County Council action at LexingtonChronicle.com.