Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder announced today on his Web site that the city is going to delay the stormwater utility program until further notice.

In the release, Wilder said the city is postponing the program because citizens have felt the increase in gas prices and are likely to see increases in monthly electric bills.

However, the mayor is recommending that the city continue to fund a stormwater management program using the general fund, which is funded through taxes, and is exempt to such organizations as government entities and non-profits.

The stormwater utility program was going to be funded based on a customer's impervious surface area, which includes roofs and parking lots, that prevents stormwater runoff from naturally soaking into the ground.

Buildings contributing a higher amount of runoff will be required to pay a higher fee, according to the proposal. The annual fee for single-family residents ranges from $45 to $135 based on the square footage of the residence.

Non-profits ($45), multi-family ($90), commercial and industrial ($90) buildings also would pay an annual fee per equivalent residential unit, which equals 1,425 square feet.

The stormwater utility program had been submitted to City Council as part of Wilder's budget. However, one city councilman wasn't optimistic that the program would have be approved as part of the budget.

"The proposal, there just aren't the votes for it this year," said Richmond City Councilman Chris Hilbert, who represents the Third District that includes Battery Park. "I like the concept of the system; I'd like to see us go ahead and implement it now. But I can understand where some feel that we don't have the information out there to everyone."