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Kirkland council approves state planning-grant application for stormwater study and discusses possible rate increase
Summary
The council voted to authorize an OCRA planning grant application to study stormwater and water utilities and discussed options to raise the town’s stormwater fee, currently $5 per lot, to build capacity for future infrastructure work.
The Town of Kirkland council voted to authorize submission of a planning grant to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to fund a study of the town’s stormwater and water utility systems and closed the accompanying public hearing.
Chair opened the hearing and invited comment on the proposed OCCRA planning grant, saying the town has received support letters from the community. Resident Joe Bancho, who later identified himself at the meeting, urged the council to move forward: “No. We need it done,” he said, describing recent storm-related damage to his garden.
Council members discussed grant logistics and the local match requirement; one council member noted a committee-level contribution of about $5,184 and that the grant will still require local funds. The council emphasized the grant would pay for planning and engineering work, not immediate construction.
Why it matters: town staff and council members said current stormwater receipts are insufficient for large projects. The council noted that the state or highway authority will redo Highway 421 and related sidewalks and structures but that underground storm lines under the highway are the town’s responsibility. Members said the planning study would inventory problems, prioritize work and help the town seek construction funding.
During a later agenda item the council returned to the broader stormwater topic and discussed whether to raise the stormwater fee, which is currently $5 per lot. Staff and council members said a phased increase (for example, raising the fee in steps rather than a single, large increase) could build reserves. A utility official warned that at current levels the fund can only support one modest project every several years and that larger repairs or replacements would require either substantial local rate increases or external grants with matching funds.
Residents were encouraged to provide letters and photographs documenting flooding or storm damage to bolster grant applications; council staff noted the application packet lists an August 15 deadline for certain materials and asked that residents submit supporting evidence promptly.
The council approved the resolution authorizing submittal of the OCRA planning grant application by voice/hand vote; no dollar award was yet confirmed by the state, and the study’s scope and timeline will be set if the grant is awarded.
