Resident warns parks board about possible stormwater fee impacts on city properties and small businesses

At the Sept. 10 meeting a resident, Joseph Stackhouse, told the Logosport Parks and Recreation Board that the city recently notified that city properties will be required to pay new stormwater fees and urged parks staff to determine whether the parks system will face additional charges.

Stackhouse said the fee change came out of a recent stormwater board meeting and cautioned that city properties that generate commercial income or have large impervious areas could face nontrivial fees; he gave an example that multiple parks sized at the stormwater minimum could add several thousand dollars to departmental costs. "Now is the time since the city has to pay this fee to make sure they do this right and don't get it wrong," Stackhouse said.

Administrator Jan Folly and board members responded that the parks department already pays stormwater fees on park restrooms and water utilities and that the department will follow up with city utilities to chart potential impacts. Board member Mike (first name given only) and others noted schools and other large impervious surfaces face similar fee structures; staff agreed to track which parks might be assessed and to provide a chart to the board.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will check on utility billing and return with details so the board can assess budgetary effects.