ROCKVILLE RESIDENT QUESTIONS CITY FEE INCREASES, SAYS HIKES ARE LOWERING HOMEOWNERSHIP

David Thomas, a Hungerford resident since 1985, questioned the city of Rockville's record of increasing stormwater fees and property taxes during Monday night's Community Forum. He noted that budget increases average 5% per year, far outstripping the less-than 1% annual increases in population or stormwater system mileage.

Thomas urged the mayor and council to reject the 6% increase in water fees proposed by city staff in the next FY-2015 budget. He said he has already witnessed his stormwater fees double over the last decade.

"What have we in the Hungerford neighborhood received in infrastructure improvements?" Thomas asked, noting that he has only observed routine upgrades and maintenance of the system in his own vicinity.

Thomas said he is concerned that the increasing fees are "making it very difficult for the young to become homeowners and residents in Rockville."