Without a stormwater utility, the price of managing stormwater is included in other local government costs. Typically, these costs are included in sewer fees or are paid for through property taxes. This sometimes leads to under-investment in managing stormwater, lending itself to a strategy of deferred maintenance to focus on higher-profile needs (schools, etc.). Unfortunately, this common strategy results in residents bearing the brunt of flooding, traffic congestion, water pollution, and property damage.