Valparaiso is considering raising stormwater fee rates by 50 cents a month this year and again the next two years until it reaches $12.50 a month for houses in 2019.
The City Council had first reading of an ordinance to raise rates on Monday, to mixed response from residents who packed the chambers.
People who’ve experienced flooding in their neighborhoods and homes spoke in favor of the increase, while others were concerned about small increases in taxes and fees adding up.
“You just can’t keep going back to the well,” said Kevin Cornett, referencing the “wheel tax” on vehicles passed last summer and other increases.
Valparaiso last raised the stormwater fee by two $4 increments, one in 2010 and the other in 2011, increasing the $3 monthly fee set in 1998 to $11, City Utilities Director Steve Poulos told the council.
Those increases were to address flooding problems exacerbated and highlighted by storms in September 2008 and allowed the city to issue bonds for what officials called the “Super 17” projects, he said.
Those were the top 17 projects — chosen from 65 problem areas — to be fixed over five years.
The city has completed 12 projects, but new ones take their place as the list is revised, he said.
The two new top projects include replacing the more than 100-year-old brick drainage line located by the Chicago Dash parking lot west of Campbell Street that collapsed four years ago and fixing the Beauty Creek’s rapidly eroding banks alleviating storm runoff into it that lead to the 2014 collapse of the Harrison Boulevard bridge.
Deputy City Engineer Adam McAlpine said replacing the brick drainage line that is under a parking lot and would need to be re-dug under train tracks would cost between $2 million and $2.5 million.
Poulos said the new 17 planned stormwater projects would cost $15 million, compared to $10 million spent on 45 big and small projects between 2009 and today and $4.6 million spent on projects from 1998 to 2008.
“Small increases will help avoid significant fee hikes in the future, Poulos said.
The third project listed is Burlington Beach Road and Brentwood Drive, and resident Lance Bella said that area has flooded more than 33 times since the 2008 storms, costing him and his neighbors thousands of dollars in basement, sidewalk, landscape and other repairs.
Residents of Greenfield Creek Subdivision also had stories of repeated flood damage and costs.
Those raising concerns about the increase spoke in favor of improving infrastructure, and Chris Pupillo wanted to review where money — especially from the Redevelopment Commission — goes, citing “wants” like a spec building on the east side of town instead of needs.
Others, like Walt Breitinger, said the city needs to consider how much impervious ground is being created and how much virgin land is used instead of repurposing abandoned buildings.
Kenard Taylor, a former city council member, said, “I think it’s time we stopped kicking things down the road” to the next generation, admitting that when he served from 1979 to 1984, the council did that with drainage.
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Cornett said that the fees and taxes weigh heavier on those who live alone and pay the same amount for less use.
“This generation needs to live here, too,” Cornett said.
James D. Wolf Jr. is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.