Several Logansport residents and small-business owners urged the city Sept. 8 to review the structure of stormwater fees charged by Logansport Utilities, arguing the schedule disproportionately burdens small commercial properties.

"The current system is not based on any actual impact a property might have," said Joseph Stackhouse, a local small-business owner, who told the council his stormwater charge can make up more than half of his combined utilities bill. Stackhouse said the city was recently notified it must begin paying stormwater fees on city-owned properties — an estimated $180,000 annually — and called for a reconsideration of classification and relief for small businesses.

Stackhouse asked the utility and council to define and use a clearer "other" or special-circumstances category, to consider a small-business class for properties under about 1,000 square feet, and to record utility-board meetings. "Why do they not want the transparency?" he asked, urging video recordings of Logansport Utilities public meetings.

Attorney and longtime resident Jim Brew praised citizen engagement and urged the council to view the issue as a policy choice that can be reviewed. Brew emphasized that stormwater programs were implemented after public hearings and studies and that legal authority exists for council review.

Council members and staff said they have discussed the concerns with Logansport Utilities leadership. One council member said the utility superintendent (referred to as Greg Toth at the meeting) was open to reviewing classifications and that the matter could require a new rate study. "I think they understand moving forward that we're going to have to all work together at this to resolve," a council member said.

Officials cautioned that the city’s stormwater program is backed by long-term State Revolving Fund-like loans and infrastructure obligations, meaning changes could be complex and gradual. Speakers noted that some municipalities base fees on impervious surface area rather than fixed commercial categories, but staff said converting to a square-foot runoff formula would likely require a formal study and could be constrained by current debt service and program needs.

What the council directed and decided: council members acknowledged the issue, requested further review by utilities staff and the council, and encouraged direct discussions with affected business owners. No formal ordinance or amendment was proposed that night; council members said staff and Logansport Utilities should report back with options, possible short-term classifications (e.g., a small-business category), and a plan for community outreach.

Stackhouse also urged the utility to begin video recording its public meetings; council members said they would relay that request and noted state legislators had recommended greater transparency for utilities. The council asked city and utility staff to continue dialogue and to bring recommendations to a future meeting.

Ending note: The issue remains under review. The council indicated it will monitor the utility’s response, consider potential ordinances or rate-study work, and asked staff to explore immediate administrative options and longer-term reforms.