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Committee Chair White asked that as we look forward to the 2017 budget, how much will we be <br />putting towards the curbs and sidewalks program. <br />Mr. Murphy responded it is a million dollars but that doesn't include the federal Safe Routes <br />program. <br />Committee Chair White asked what it was last year. <br />Mr. Murphy responded it was $1.5 million. <br />Mr. Horvath stated that would be cutting off about a third of last year's improvements. <br />Committee Chair White stated she has a concern about that because that is a high priority for the <br />Council but we are still early in the budget process. She stated this is a critical issue with the <br />Council. She also stated she had an update for the Light Up South Bend program. We will be <br />expanding into the fourth as well as the sixth districts. Hopefully we can have an update at a <br />regular Council meeting where we can get an update on how those particular areas will be <br />addressed. Once we have done all the districts then we will start back again. Committee Chair <br />White asked will the average dollar amount increase be per customer because of the proposed <br />forty -five percent (45 %) increase in water rates. <br />Mr. Horvath responded he can get them more information on that but it would be right around $5 <br />a month for the average customer. He stated he can show the Council a comparison of South <br />Bend water rates versus other municipalities in the area and throughout the state as well. Even <br />with that increase, South Bend will still be one of the lowest in the state. <br />Committee Chair White asked if Mr. Horvath anticipated any additional rate increases after this <br />year. <br />Mr. Horvath responded no not next year for water. Sewer would be dependent on what happens <br />with the Long Term Control Plan. Once we have a plan, it will be easier to know what the rate <br />impacts will be. With the recent flood, Mr. Horvath stated he has had a lot of people asking <br />about drainage issues. We currently do not have a storm water utility and almost every other <br />community with over 25,000 people has a storm water fee. He stated he has no plans for a storm <br />water fee but a lot of people are saying they would like to see drainage improvements in South <br />Bend and the way you do that is have a storm water fee. He stated he doesn't know if that is an <br />interest of the public or not but with the recent storm a lot of people are saying they would like <br />the City to have money available for drainage projects. <br />Committee Chair White asked if any thought was given to phasing this rate increase over two (2) <br />years. <br />Mr. Horvath responded we didn't look into it because you can't have a structured two (2) year <br />rate increase going through IURC. What we would have to do is do one (1) and then go back <br />through the whole process and do it again. It is a pretty long and tough process so that's not very <br />feasible to do in back -to -back years. <br />