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County trims Prairie Creek water-main request to $3.5M; approves $159,560 to help homeowners connect
Summary
Elkhart County amended a TIF funding request for the Prairie Creek water-main project to $3.5 million and approved $159,560.14 from community funds to assist qualifying homeowners with service connections, subject to five-year liens if sold.
Elkhart County commissioners on Jan. 20 approved a reduced TIF appropriation for the Prairie Creek water-main project and a separate homeowner-connection assistance program.
Planning director May Hope said the original request listed $4.95 million but county engineers verified that $3.5 million is sufficient for construction needs; accordingly, staff amended the request and the board approved the $3.5 million appropriation. Hope noted County Council had approved the request on a 4–3 vote prior to the commission action.
Hope also presented a $159,560.14 allocation from community partnership funds (Adams Street Community Fund) to help qualifying homeowners pay to connect from the new water main to their houses. "They would not have to pay it back," Hope said of the direct assistance, but she added that a lien would be placed against participating homes so funds would be repayable if the homeowner sells within five years.
Commissioners approved both the amended $3.5 million appropriation and the homeowner-assistance allocation; motions carried unanimously in the commission meeting. Staff said the homeowner assistance is aimed at longstanding homeowners and is not intended to support developers.
