Additional verbiage to reflect the possibility of appealing a rate or asking for credits was finally enough for the Warsaw Common Council to approve an ordinance establishing stormwater utility rates. But, the ordinance requires one additional reading and final vote that will come next month.

The ordinance was presented to the council for the third time last night. Each time it came before the board, Mike Lewis and Cary Lewis of Lewis Salvage were there to oppose it on the grounds that they already operate an extensive stormwater system. Again last night, the Lewises were there to say they are still not in favor of the rate schedule. (See related)

Stormwater coordinator Theresa Sailor and project manager Sheila McKinley of Christopher Burke Engineering were both present to again introduce the ordinance with the additional verbiage. In short, as it is now written, stormwater system users shall have the right to contest or appeal fees and seek credits.

Nate Bosch, director of the Center for Lakes and Streams, told the council how important stormwater treatment is for local lakes and how valuable they are to the community. “We’re known as the Lake City … there are some negatives and we have a lot of work to do to get them cleaned and improved … we’ve had some good successes, but there’s lots that still needs to be done.”

The ordinance passed the council unanimously, but still requires a second vote. That will happen at the council’s May 5 meeting, which is open to the public.