Residents continue to question storm water ordinance

 Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett agreed with the crowd at last night's informational meeting on the proposed city storm water fee that the city's predicament requiring the fee is complicated. 

It all boils down to federal mandates regarding the Clean Water Act. The city must be in compliance or face "dire consequences," he said, adding that 90 other communities across the state are in the same boat and have already implemented the fee. 

Bennett, City Engineer Chuck Ennis and Information Technology Director Brad Speidel attempted to simplify the difficult material with a slideshow presentation regarding the waste water treatment plant and long term control plan. They attempted to explain how the proposed storm water fees will be calculated. They explained that fees will help fund future projects for outdated drainage systems.
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The presentation included  slides with many graphs and rows of numbers that many complained they could not see nor understand.  

The simplest slide of the night depicted a sketch of storm water pouring into the Wabash River. The presenters agreed the problem is urgent and no one will be exempt from correcting it. Monthly residential fees, based on square feet and impervious surface (not allowing fluid to pass through,) are expected to range from $4 to $16. Non residential parcels of land will vary. Giving City Hall as one example, it was noted to expect a bill for $372.

Several in the audience voiced concerns about what they had just heard pertaining to the proposed storm water ordinance in particular. One woman said it simply didn't make sense and another woman went as far to call it a scam.

Audience member John Kite alleged the ordinance was "arbitrary."

An attorney and former teacher, Kite turned and asked others in the audience if they understood the presentation The consensus was 'no.' 

"You can't just do things the quick and dirty way," he said.

The audience erupted in applause.  Pat Goodwin agreed, calling the ordinance "disingenuous."

Bennett assured the crowd that the city attorney Eddie Felling (not present at informational meeting) will explain the ordinance in further detail during the next council meeting.

See more information on the ordinance at the city webstite 

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