Speedway board recommends stormwater user fee, votes 3-0 to send resolution to Town Council

The Stormwater Management Board of the Town of Speedway on Thursday recommended a parcel-based stormwater user fee and voted 3-0 to send Resolution 20-26-01 to the Town Council for final approval.

Board members said the fee is intended to fund day-to-day stormwater maintenance and a multi-year capital plan to address aging pipes, stormwater detention systems and equipment replacement. The board identified roughly $3 million to $3.5 million in needed projects in a consultant study and said it set an initial annual funding target near $500,000 to start work.

"A stormwater fee is nothing more than a fee on every parcel within the town that is collected by the town to then fund stormwater activities," the board chair said, describing work that includes inlet cleaning, televising and lining older pipes, equipment replacement and maintenance of detention features such as the Dry Run diversion north of the Coca-Cola plant.

Under the recommended structure, each residence would be charged an equivalent residential unit (ERU) rate composed of a $1 administrative charge and a $2.77 ERU charge, for a total of $3.77 per month (about $42 annually). Businesses and larger parcels would pay higher ERU-based fees; board members said commercial accounts are expected to provide about 70% of the revenue needed to reach the $500,000 target.

Several residents urged the board to reconsider who should bear the costs. "I'm on a fixed income, and this really does matter," said Cynthia Terry of 1833 Winton, citing concern for seniors on limited incomes. Dakota Faulkner of 1114 Winton Avenue said he supports infrastructure work but argued that development and paving decisions have driven the town's stormwater problems and that major commercial users "should pick up all of the tab of paying for it." Faulkner specifically pointed to development at Cunningham as an example of added impervious surface.

Other public commenters suggested using green infrastructure to reduce runoff. "There are lots of ways to deal with pavement that are not impermeable," Pam Risley said, urging options such as pervious grids or green roofs. Board members noted the town has installed rain gardens and strips of pervious concrete in selected locations and has obtained grant funding for some projects, but they warned of durability issues with pervious concrete in Indiana's climate.

Residents also asked whether a proposed regional project in Lebanon would raise local water-treatment costs. A board representative said the town does not expect the regional project to require additional local treatment work and that the stormwater fee is unrelated to that project.

The board read Resolution 20-26-01, which states the proposed user fees are the minimum necessary for operation and maintenance of the stormwater system and recommends the Town Council adopt the ordinance establishing the fees. After a short period of discussion and thanks to staff and the consulting team, board member Speaker 2 moved to approve the resolution, Speaker 4 seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote "Motion carries 3 to 0," the chair said.

The board chair said he will present the approved resolution to the Town Council at its meeting later that evening; the council is not required to hold a public hearing but will take public comment at its regular meeting.

The board also completed internal officer appointments at the start of the meeting, selecting a president, vice president and recording secretary by voice vote.

The consultant Christopher B. Burke remained available to answer technical questions; board staff said supporting documents, including the consultant PowerPoint and the study spreadsheet, are posted on the town's stormwater webpage.

The board closed the public hearing and adjourned at about 5:35 p.m.