Miam’s Palmetto Bay Council gave preliminary approval last week to creating the village's own storm water utility -- a department that would handle storm drainage, flood control and canal maintenance, according to a report in the Miami Herald.

In July, the council decided to break away from Miami-Dade County Storm Water Utility, which collects fees from residents to maintain and improve the county-wide storm water system.

Public Works Director Ron Williams said the change means that the village -- not the county -- will collect fees from Palmetto Bay residents and choose which local improvements to make.

Source: MH