Proposed updates to Logansport stormwater rates starting in 2027

Logansport Utilities has announced a proposed update to its stormwater rate structure aimed at creating a more equitable and sustainable system for funding critical infrastructure and services.

Much of the stormwater fees are established to support compliance with unfunded, statemandated requirements, including those aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows and ensuring the community meets state and federal environmental regulations.

The updated model introduces a modernized approach to how stormwater fees are calculated, ensuring that costs are distributed more fairly across residential, commercial, and institutional customers. Residential rates will remain unchanged, while adjustments to non-residential rates are designed to better reflect property impact on the stormwater system.

The new structure expands commercial classifications from 3 to 6 categories and introduces a refined methodology based on “Residential Units,” which considers both property type and impervious surface area. This approach replaces older models that relied heavily on square footage alone.

LU emphasizes that stormwater utilities function as a shared public service, similar to roads and emergency services. Fees are not based on individual water usage but rather on maintaining a system capable of managing runoff across the entire community.

“Maintaining a reliable stormwater system requires long-term planning and investment,” CEO/Superintendent Greg Toth said. “This update ensures we can continue to meet those needs
and rquirements while distributing costs as fairly as possible.”

The proposed rates are designed to support ongoing operational costs, infrastructure maintenance, and future improvements, as well as existing debt obligations.

The utility company will begin outreach to non-residential customers to explain the changes and provide detailed property-specific information and will have approximately four months to review their classifications, ask questions, and request adjustments if necessary. LU invites all stormwater customers to look at the proposed changes, methodology behind those changes and comparisons to provide feedback at future public meetings.

The updated rates are expected to be finalized towards the end of 2026, with implementation
planned for January 2027.

More information can be found at https://www.logansportutilities.com/news-releases and https://www.logansportutilities.com/understanding-stormwater.

SOURCE: News release from Logansport Utilities