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Warrick County Council endorses stormwater board's proposed fee rise to $7.50 for commissioners' review
Summary
Stormwater Director Steven Sherwood told the council aging drainage infrastructure and a Baker Tilly study support raising the monthly stormwater fee from $4.50 to $7.50; the council voted to forward the board's proposal to the county commissioners for final action.
Warrick County Council on Monday reviewed a proposal from the county stormwater board to raise the monthly stormwater user fee from $4.50 to $7.50.
Steven Sherwood, stormwater director, told the council the $7.50 figure is tied to work identified in a Baker Tilly study and to rising costs for materials, insurance and maintenance. "The current fee that the board is now asking me to propose to the county council is $7.50 per month, which is an increase overall from our current rate of $4.50 per month that's been in effect since 2014," Sherwood said.
Sherwood said the proposed increase is meant to address a long list of drainage improvements and maintenance needs, many of which predate the county's drainage ordinance. He described projects that involve aging corrugated galvanized pipe, wetland mitigation and replacement of failed infrastructure, and noted the board estimated that $8.50 per month would be a break-even figure but that $7.50 is a compromise the board is asking the council to endorse.
Council members asked about alternatives, including phased increases and the possibility of special districts that would shift costs geographically. Sherwood said a district approach could create unequal service levels: "You would have disproportionate levels of service in different parts of the county," his attorney explained at the meeting.
County counsel and others summarized the statutory process: the stormwater board sets the fee after a public hearing; the council reviews the board's determination and transmits it to the county commissioners, who adopt or amend the fee by ordinance. Sherwood said it will take almost two years for a new rate to be fully implemented through the current administrative timeline.
After discussion and questions about prioritization and emergency repairs, Councilor Chris Wetstein moved to endorse the stormwater board's $7.50-per-month proposal and forward it to the commissioners for final action; Greg Richmond seconded. The council voted to forward the proposal; one councilor recorded opposition during the session.
Next steps: the stormwater board's rate recommendation will be submitted to the Warrick County commissioners, who will consider amending the ordinance to set the fee.
