$20 million bond could help South Haven's water woes

South Haven, Ind., is poised to receive drainage relief.

The Porter County Board of Commissioners said on Aug. 15 that the storm water board, comprised of commissioners and surveyor Kevin Breitzke, is moving forward with a $20 million bond issue for drainage woes.

The bulk of the money — $12 million to $15 million — will be used in South Haven, with the rest going to other drainage projects in the county, officials said.

The plan calls for the Twin Creek Conservancy District, which serves South Haven and Salt Creek Commons in Union Township, to join in on the county's storm water fee for residents in unincorporated areas. That will bring in just under $500,000 a year, said county attorney Scott McClure, which will go toward paying off the bond issue.

Sinkholes are forming on county roads next to sidewalks where children play in South Haven because of the drainage problems, said Commissioners President Jeff Good, R-Center. That's a safety hazard.

"It's not a good system out there and it's failing," he said.

Other large projects, all meant to slow and cleanse water before it flows into the Kankakee River and Lake Michigan, will benefit from the bond issue.

kankakee-river
The Kankakee River

Residents in unincorporated parts of the county began paying the storm water fee in January 2016. The fee replaced the former "ditch tax," which was only paid by some portions of the county and could only be used for projects in the area where it was collected.

Good said the county will still have $1 million to $1.5 million available each year for other projects. When he started as commissioner, before the storm water tax was in place, the county had $200,000 each year for drainage work, he said.

"We're just trying to raise everybody up to the quality of life they should expect," said Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South.

The bond issue still has to go before the county council, and the storm water board will host a hearing on it Sept. 19.

In other business, commissioners opened the lone bid they received for a renovation of the plaza outside the county administration building. The bid, from Gariup Construction in Gary, was for $793,500.

Commissioners had estimated the cost at around $1 million. Commissioners will approach the county council at its next meeting about how to fund the work and move forward on the project, Good said.

Commissioners have proposed a $30 million capital upgrade plan with the money coming from a bond issue paid off with interest from the foundation established after the 2007 sale of the county hospital.

The plaza renovation is part of that plan.

Tribune Content Agency
Public finance Indiana
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