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Fountain Hills Environmental Fee
In late 2014, the Fountain Hills Town Council approved a $3 per month ($36 per year) environmental fee for each parcel of land in Fountain Hills. The Town Council has met and discussed the possibility of an environmental fee dating back to 2007. After discussing and reviewing other options at 18 separate meetings, the Town Council voted on November 20, 2014, to approve a $3 per month fee, billed as $36 annually, per parcel to offset the costs of an Environmental Program for the Town.
The environmental fee revenue will support a number of important environmental programs, many of which are mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Clean Water Act and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Government mandated requirements the Town must undertake are street sweeping, dust control, dam inspection and maintenance and securing EPA/ADEQ permits. The environmental fee will also help pay for additional safety items such as storm water management, wash drainage and maintenance, on-call storm damage cleanup and a household hazardous waste collection day for residents.
The environmental fee revenue will support a number of important environmental programs, many of which are mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Clean Water Act and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Government mandated requirements the Town must undertake are street sweeping, dust control, dam inspection and maintenance and securing EPA/ADEQ permits. The environmental fee will also help pay for additional safety items such as storm water management, wash drainage and maintenance, on-call storm damage cleanup and a household hazardous waste collection day for residents.
Unlike cities and towns that have environmental fees that are passed along to residents in their water and sewer bills, the Town of Fountain Hills does not operate its own water and sewer utilities and is unable to pass along these fees to residents on their utility bills. The Town attempted to work with utility providers EPCOR Water, Fountain Hills Sanitary District, and Republic Services to bill their customers for the environmental fee, but since the environmental fee was based on a cost per parcel rather than utility accounts, billing arrangements with the utilities could not be worked out.
After analyzing other billing options for managing the distribution and collection of approximately 15,000 bills, it was determined it would be more cost effective to contract with a company with expertise in billing services versus the Town performing the billing and collections itself. The Town issued a Request for Proposals to multiple companies that could assist the town in billing for the environment fee. Town staff evaluated a proposal from AMS Billing Services (AMS) and concluded that it not only met the contractual Town requirements but also had expertise in similar types of municipal billings around the country.
Following the award of a contract to AMS, the company mails the environmental fee bills to all Fountain Hills parcel owners in early January. Town staff has worked with AMS to develop a bill format and methods of payment.
The environmental fee will help the Town pay for complying with federal and state mandates as well as other important services designed to maintain the safety of residents in the Town of Fountain Hills. Without the fee revenue, the Town of Fountain Hills could find itself paying hefty fines for non-compliance of these mandates or possibly reducing other Town services in order to pay for these services.
The 2018 Environmental Fee of $36.00 was mailed to residents on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 from the AMS billing offices in Florida. Any resident with billing inquiries may direct their questions to AMS Billing Services. Contact information for AMS Billing Services can be found on the bill.
After analyzing other billing options for managing the distribution and collection of approximately 15,000 bills, it was determined it would be more cost effective to contract with a company with expertise in billing services versus the Town performing the billing and collections itself. The Town issued a Request for Proposals to multiple companies that could assist the town in billing for the environment fee. Town staff evaluated a proposal from AMS Billing Services (AMS) and concluded that it not only met the contractual Town requirements but also had expertise in similar types of municipal billings around the country.
Following the award of a contract to AMS, the company mails the environmental fee bills to all Fountain Hills parcel owners in early January. Town staff has worked with AMS to develop a bill format and methods of payment.
The environmental fee will help the Town pay for complying with federal and state mandates as well as other important services designed to maintain the safety of residents in the Town of Fountain Hills. Without the fee revenue, the Town of Fountain Hills could find itself paying hefty fines for non-compliance of these mandates or possibly reducing other Town services in order to pay for these services.
The 2018 Environmental Fee of $36.00 was mailed to residents on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 from the AMS billing offices in Florida. Any resident with billing inquiries may direct their questions to AMS Billing Services. Contact information for AMS Billing Services can be found on the bill.
What will it pay for:
Mandatory governmental environmental programs:
- Street sweeping
- Dust control
- Dam inspection and maintenance
Additional Safety (Recommended) Items including:
- Storm water management
- Wash drainage and maintenance
- On call storm damage cleanup
- Resident household hazardous waste collection
Environmental Fund - Summary
- Billing Revenues - $495,000
- Mandatory and Recommended Expenditures - $719,332
- Billing Cost Estimate - $ 40,000
- Excess/<Deficiency> - $<264,332>
- Mail your check or money order payable to AMS Billing Services in the pre-addressed return envelope which will be included with the invoice mailed. Remember to include your account number with your payment.
- Pay in cash at any PayNearMe location for a flat $1.99 fee. PayNearMe locations include 7 Eleven, ACE Cash Express and Family Dollar Stores. There are over 18,000 locations nationally. You will need to have your account number or bill with you when you go to pay.
- By credit card for a $1.99 processing fee by visiting the website at www.amsbilling.com or calling the office during normal business hours.
AMS Billing Services’ business hours are Monday through Friday, 9AM to 8PM, Eastern Time (excluding holidays). AMS account representatives will be available to answer your questions and assist you in any way they can. You can contact the company by email: fountainhills@amsbilling.com or by phone: (941) 358-1253.