Linwood Norman, a spokesman for the mayor, declined to comment when asked how the proposed increases square with Wilder's contention that rates for many customers would fall.

New rates also could come on top of a proposed new charge to improve the city's stormwater system, which is also before the council for consideration.

If the stormwater system is approved, city homeowners and other property owners could expect to get bills in August for new fees ranging from $45 to $135 per year.

Before that, in June, all property owners also would receive notices of what their stormwater assessment would be, based on the square footage of property surfaces that are impervious to water -- roofs, driveways and parking lots that allow water runoff.

Most city households fall into a category that would pay $90 per year, based on 1,000 to 2,400 square feet of impervious surface, according to the administration.

Businesses, nonprofit organizations and city schools also would be assessed, as would state and federal government properties, said Chris Beschler, the city's deputy administrative officer for operations.

Each would pay a set rate for every 1,425 square feet of impervious surface -- the equivalent of the average for a single-family home in the city, or roughly the amount for a 40-by-25 foot house with a 12-by-15-foot shed and a small patio or short paved driveway.

That set rate for nonprofits, such as churches, would be $45 for each 1,425 square feet. For apartment complexes and commercial and industrial users, the rate would be $90 per increment. In other words, a business with 14,250 square feet of roof and parking space would pay $900 per year.

Councilman Bruce W. Tyler asked Beschler whether the administration is sure that state and federal governments would pay a stormwater fee, saying he didn't want the city to be the first to try to enforce such a fee and face the possibility of an expensive lawsuit.

"Have we had the hard conversation with them?" Tyler asked.

"This is in accordance with state law. They are required to pay," said Beschler, who noted that some Hampton Roads-area cities also have such fees. One of Beschler's assistants told council members that the administration has been unsuccessful so far in talking to the Virginia Department of General Services, which oversees state-owned buildings.

Councilwoman Kathy C. Graziano also suggested the administration reach out to business customers, who could also see their water rates go up 17.6 percent in the first year of a proposed five-year rate increase.

"We will reach out to them," Beschler said.
Contact Kiran Krishnamurthy at (804) 649-6810 or kkrishnamurthy@timesdispatch.com.

Contact David Ress at (804) 649-6051 or dress@timesdispatch.com.