Stolen from the OT: Broome FOS on stormwater NDA

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The mayor formally introduced the proposal last week, which would add a new "stormwater utility fee" to residents' property tax bills. A decision whether to approve the new fee — which the city estimates would come out to roughly $10 a month per property owner — will be left up to the metro council, which is set to vote on the measure Oct. 26.

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During a press conference last week, the mayor said the fee was a necessary step to keep the federal government from seizing control of the city-parish's drainage plan.

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Federal regulators asked East Baton Rouge leaders to sign a non-disclosure agreement blocking them from discussing certain aspects of a proposed drainage plan that would create a new fee for property owners.

WBRZ learned Monday that the EPA asked members of the East Baton Rouge Metro Council and the mayor's office to sign the NDA, though it wasn't clear what kind of information was being kept secret. It's unknown who signed the agreement so far, but a city-parish spokesperson said members of the mayor's office had signed.

At least one council member told WBRZ they were asked to sign the NDA but did not plan to do so.

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Congressman Graves sent a letter late last week to the U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ) & EPA questioning the non-disclosure agreement.

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Now though, Congressman Graves said after a call to the EPA, he has learned that “No non-disclosure agreement is in place or required by the EPA or the Department of Justice regarding the storm water fee in Baton Rouge.”

Congressman Graves said the EPA further told him “No deadline in place required by EPA that would force the new tax to be imposed by the parish by the end of the month.”

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