Should the City of Decorah postpone the formation of a storm water utility?

A group of students and staffers from the University of Iowa spent most of the 2014-2015 school year studying how the formation of a storm water utility in Decorah could be used to raise money to pay for flood control projects.

Monday night the chair of the city's Utility Committee, Charles Lore, asked his fellow city council members to delay considering forming the utility.  Lore noted that the proposal would raise sewer and water fees as a way to raise the money necessary.  He said he's gotten complaints from some city residents about such an increase in costs.  "Let's back off and not run headlong into this right away," he said.

Decorah Mayor Don Arendt and City Administrator Chad Bird urged the city council to continue its work.  Arendt said water and sewer bills in Decorah are lower than rates in other Iowa towns, adding "Something needs to be done (to lessen flooding)."  Bird said his office has been hearing from property owners throughout the city about the problems they face: "More and more, they're delaing with stormwater issues."

No action was taken Monday night.  Lore said he was raising the issue as a way to attract comments from the public.