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CITY OF SOUTH BEND ( OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> refinement of that list would be nice to see how that impacts not just the North Shore Triangle but <br /> the other three (3)areas. I've heard a lot of support for the fee especially from those affected. That <br /> is twenty four dollars($24)versus the cost of clean up expenses. What are we going to be chipping <br /> away at? And I understand at the time there was an identified top ten (10) list of projects, but I <br /> guess I'm not seeing those priorities align with the hardest hit areas. <br /> Eric Horvath,Director of Public Works with offices on the 13th floor of the County-City Building, <br /> replied,I don't have the budget in front of me but,to be clear,the ten(10)projects were an ongoing <br /> list of projects we've been working on based on the requests from residents. That is only one (1) <br /> part of that storm water budget. I think we had allocated $350,000 of the $1.2 million for those <br /> projects. There are other funds that were allocated for other pieces, and like I said I don't have <br /> those in front of me, but there were pieces that address that issue. That top ten(10) list is only for <br /> that $350,000. I think it is listed in the budget as small drainage projects or something like that. <br /> Councilmember Jake Teshka asked, My understanding is that part of this storm water fund could <br /> be used for, say, our CSO allocation, correct? <br /> Mr. Horvath replied, As it relates to storm water directly, yes. So let's say we were going to <br /> separate an area into sanitary and storm lines, we could use the storm water fund for the storm <br /> water piece and then use the sanitary funds for the sanitary piece. So it definitely could be eligible. <br /> Councilmember Teshka followed up, I've heard from some folks and we need some clarification <br /> as to why this isn't considered a rate hike and why it doesn't need to go downstate and follow that <br /> same process. <br /> Mr. Horvath replied, The only utilities governed by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission <br /> (IURC) would be the water works. So when we go for a rate increase on the water side, that goes <br /> to Council then it has to go through the process with the IURC and then the OUCC also. They <br /> typically have comments they provide as well. Then once it gets through that process it comes <br /> back to Council to be voted on. On waste water, storm water and only enterprise funds,that solely <br /> lies with you, the Council. There is no interaction with IURC. If you guys pass the rate, then that <br /> is the rate. <br /> Councilmember Broden asked, Why two dollars ($2) and not, like, four dollars ($4)? That would <br /> get us closer in line with the average that we saw compared to other municipalities. To follow up, <br /> of the other municipalities that have it, how many are within our watershed? <br /> Mr.Horvath replied,I will have to get that answer to you later. Off the top of my head,Mishawaka <br /> does not. Elkhart and Goshen do. So it sounds like most communities do and once you go north <br /> you're into Michigan. We are the last City on the watershed at least for the St. Joseph River. And <br /> our needs are obviously greater than the $1.2 million. We've got a back log of storm water issues <br /> and quite honestly, we could use $5 million a year and still not have enough money. The issue is <br /> we are trying to balance that with concerns for our residents and how much they are paying. We <br /> are trying to keep it at a reasonable rate and I know that is probably very dependent on who you <br /> are and what your ability to pay is and that is why we are trying to keep it as low as we could but <br /> still generate some revenue to do projects.We are considerably less than most.The average is right <br /> around five dollars ($5)both statewide and nationally,per month. This will allow us to get at least <br /> some revenue that, right now,we don't have at all. <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Bvld ISouth Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 1 TTD574.235.5567 Iwww.southbendin.gov <br /> 4 <br />