KILLEEN, Texas — The City of Killeen will start to include a street fee in utility bills this month to gather funds for road repairs throughout the area. The city said the fee, which it approved on Dec. 11, 2018, will collect around $1.6 million each year specifically for street maintenance.
The fee will show up with a matching credit on residents' August bill, which they will receive this week. The bill for July utilities, which residents will get after August 11, will include the fee.
City spokeswoman Hilary Shine told KCEN Channel 6 Wednesday the city will jump start the street maintenance program by allocating $330,000 from the 2019 fiscal year budget. Street repairs will start in October. Shine told Channel 6 Cedarhill Drive, Bird Creek Drive, and several other streets nearby in northeast Killeen will be first on the list.
For homeowners, the fee will always be $1.70, but businesses need to pay special attention as they may be able to take action and save some money. The fee for businesses depend on their square footage, and which of the 77 classifications they're given. A business classified as "sit-down restaurant," for example will pay less than a high turnover restaurant, which will pay less than a fast-food restaurant.
Business owners can fill out the form to contest their classification by visiting the city of Killeen's street maintenance fee page on its website.
"Someone will see what it is anticipated on their bill," Shine said. "We want them to use that month to come speak with us about how their rate should be adjusted, if it should be adjusted, so we can make those before the fee is actually applied."
If you think your business is classified incorrectly, you can contest it. City spokesperson Hillary Shine said the month of July will be the best time to do so.
The street fee ordinance uses the following formula to determine the fee for businesses:
Monthly Street Maintenance Cost per unit ($6.47) x Number of Units (1 per 1000 Sq. Ft.) x Single-Family Equivalent (see below) x Percentage Funded by Fee (.2635) = Monthly Bill
The "number of units" is determined by square footage, and there are 77 different rate classifications in the ordinance (listed below). The .2635 figure was used in all examples in the ordinance.
Here's the list of the classifications:
1. Single-Family Detached Housing Dwelling Unit 1.00
2. Multi-Family Housing (Low-Rise) Dwelling Unit 0.57
3. Multi-Family Housing (Mid-Rise) Dwelling Unit 0.44
4. Mobile Home Dwelling Unit 0.47
5. Assisted Living 1,000 SF GFA 0.49
6. Intermodal Truck Terminal 1,000 SF GFA 2.31
7. General Light Industrial 1,000 SF GFA 0.78
8. Industrial Park 1,000 SF GFA 0.49
9. Manufacturing 1,000 SF GFA 0.83
10. Warehousing 1,000 SF GFA 0.23
11. Mini-Warehouse 1,000 SF GFA 0.21
12. Hotel Room 0.50
13. Motel / Other Lodging Facilities Room 0.31
14. Multipurpose Recreational Facility 1,000 SF GFA 2.84
15. Bowling Alley 1,000 SF GFA 0.92
16. Adult Cabaret 1,000 SF GFA 2.32
17. Ice Skating Rink 1,000 SF GFA 1.05
18. Health/Fitness Club 1,000 SF GFA 2.74
19. Athletic Club 1,000 SF GFA 4.99
20. Recreational Community Center 1,000 SF GFA 1.83
21. Elementary School 1,000 SF GFA 1.01
22. Middle School/Junior High School 1,000 SF GFA 0.88
23. High School 1,000 SF GFA 0.72
24. Private School (K-8) 1,000 SF GFA 4.83
25. Junior / Community College 1,000 SF GFA 1.37
26. Church 1,000 SF GFA 0.24
27. Mosque 1,000 SF GFA 2.09
28. Day Care Center 1,000 SF GFA 4.60
29. Museum 1,000 SF GFA 0.13
30. Nursing Home 1,000 SF GFA 0.44
31. Clinic 1,000 SF GFA 2.42
32. Animal Hospital/Veterinary Clinic 1,000 SF GFA 1.83
33. General Office Building 1,000 SF GFA 0.85
34. Corporate Headquarters Building 1,000 SF GFA 1.03
35. Single Tenant Office Building 1,000 SF GFA 1.26
36. Medical-Dental Office Building 1,000 SF GFA 2.56
37. Office Park 1,000 SF GFA 0.98
38. Construction Equipment Rental Store 1,000 SF GFA 0.82
39. Building Materials and Lumber Store 1,000 SF GFA 1.70
40. Free-Standing Discount Superstore 1,000 SF GFA 2.53
41. Variety Store 1,000 SF GFA 3.72
42. Free-Standing Retail Store 1,000 SF GFA 2.79
43. Hardware/Paint Store 1,000 SF GFA 1.63
44. Nursery (Garden Center) 1,000 SF GFA 4.01
45. Shopping Center 1,000 SF GLA 2.07
46. New and Used Car Sales 1,000 SF GFA 2.38
47. Recreational Vehicle Sales 1,000 SF GFA 0.61
48. Automobile Parts Sales 1,000 SF GFA 2.22
49. Tire Store 1,000 SF GFA 2.28
50. Tire Superstore 1,000 SF GFA 1.20
51. Supermarket 1,000 SF GFA 4.88
52. Convenience Market (Open 24 Hours) 1,000 SF GFA 19.85
53. Convenience Market w/ Gasoline Pumps 1,000 SF GFA 13.83
54. Discount Supermarket 1,000 SF GFA 5.46
55. Home Improvement Superstore 1,000 SF GFA 1.11
56. Office Supply Superstore 1,000 SF GFA 2.29
57. Discount Home Furnishing Superstore 1,000 SF GFA 1.30
58. Department Store 1,000 SF GFA 1.13
59. Apparel Store 1,000 SF GFA 3.40
60. Pharmacy/Drugstore w/o Drive-through window 1,000 SF GFA 3.30
61. Pharmacy/Drugstore w/ Drive-through window 1,000 SF GFA 4.33
62. Furniture Store 1,000 SF GFA 0.20
63. Walk-In Bank 1,000 SF GFA 3.05
64. Drive-In Bank 1,000 SF GFA 5.31
65. Hair Salon 1,000 SF GFA 0.43
66. Drinking Place 1,000 SF GFA 3.83
67. Sit Down Restaurant 1,000 SF GFA 2.58
68. High Turnover (Sit-Down) Restaurant 1,000 SF GFA 3.29
69. Fast Food Restaurant without Drive-Thru Window 1,000 SF GFA 8.38
70. Fast Food Restaurant with Drive-Thru Window 1,000 SF GFA 9.66
71. Coffee/Donut Shop without Drive-through Window 1,000 SF GFA 2.36
72. Coffee/Donut Shop with Drive-Thru Window 1,000 SF GFA 2.82
73. Quick Lubrication Vehicle Shop 1,000 SF GFA 4.14
74. Automobile Care Center 1,000 SF GFA 1.48
75. Automobile Parts & Service Center 1,000 SF GFA 1.00
76. Self-Service Car Wash Stall 0.49
77. Automated Car Wash 1,000 SF GFA 1.00
You can read the full street fee ordinance below:
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