Stormwater board authorizes fee adjustments after coordinator flags potential errors affecting 9,050 parcels

John Heiliger, Elkhart County stormwater coordinator, told the Stormwater Board he had conducted a full investigation and recommended reducing the 2026 stormwater user fee for parcels identified on the exhibit to reflect adjusted ERU (equivalent residential unit) calculations. Heiliger said clerical, mathematical and typographical errors tied to the new approach to identify the 2026 fee may have negatively impacted up to 9,050 parcels in the unincorporated county and the town of Bissell.

"This error had the possibility of negatively impacted up to 9,050 parcels," Heiliger said, and recommended the adjustments to ensure property owners are not overcharged on their 2026 stormwater fee. He said the advisory board (Greater Elkhart County MS4 advisory board) had previously determined the adjustments should be made.

The Stormwater Board voted to accept the petition and authorize adjustments to the 2026 tax bills to reflect the corrected ERU calculations; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The transcript does not include an itemized roll of which parcels will be adjusted or the projected total fiscal impact to the stormwater fund.