Merrillville Council opposes Little Cal levee fee

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Updated: February 26, 2012 8:16AM

MERRILLVILLE — The Town Council voiced it opposition to a proposed bill that would include a new $45 fee for all Lake County residents living within the Little Calumet River watershed, which they believe is more than Merrillville residents’ fair share.

The money collected would be used for operation and maintenance of the river’s levees to prevent flooding.

“Those living closer to the river should be required to pay more,” Councilman Ron Widing, D-7th, said.

The council instructed Matt Lake, executive director of Stormwater Utility, to send a letter to state legislators expressing its concern over several portions of House Bill 1264, which Council President Shawn Pettit, D-6th, said already passed the House Ways and Means Committee by a 17-0 vote.

“If we’re going to make a statement we need to do it now,” Town Administrator Howard Fink said at the regular council meeting.

“I wouldn’t underestimate this bill’s passing,” Lake said.

Widing said he wanted it reflected in the letter that the town would approve a tiered payment system where those living closer to the river would pay more than those living farther away. He said he isn’t opposed to paying some fee as the town is in the watershed.

Lake said he also has a problem with a fee system that isn’t tiered, among other concerns.

“That this House bill came up without input to me is a real concern,” Lake said.

He said the fee would raise much more money than the Army Corps of Engineers said was needed.

He also said the fee should not be based on political boundaries, but on the watershed boundaries. Under the bill proposed by state Reps. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso; Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville; and Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, Porter County residents will not have to pay the fee although a portion of the watershed extends into Porter County.

The Hobart City Council also spoke in opposition to the proposed bill, saying there is no indication that its residents, including those living by Deep River who have their own flood issues, will directly benefit from it in any way.

Members of the Hobart Council said those residents residing within one mile of the Little Calumet River will reap the benefits from the bill, since their flood insurance costs will drop substantially or they won’t have to pay them at all.

A financial analysis of the levee project conducted by Indianapolis-based PolicyAnalytics LLC found that operation and maintenance costs for the levee system would be about $3.7 million a year.

The study stated those living within the watershed area west of Interstate 65 would benefit by not having to pay flood insurance costs that average $870 a year. Those residing in the watershed area east of I-65 should pay the same amount, according to the study, because there is a provision for the levee system to be extended into that area, too.