Warrick County board authorizes RFP to prepare parcel implementation for 2026 stormwater fee increase

The Warrick County Drainage Board voted to begin a request-for-proposals process to identify a firm to prepare parcel-level work needed to implement a 2026 stormwater fee increase.

Jen Curry, the county’s stormwater administrator, told the board an amended ordinance is being finalized and described a timeline that would start the billing process in 2027 so payments could begin in 2028. She said the county maintains a spreadsheet of nearly 19,000 parcels for stormwater billing and that sending those data through a reliable, vetted process will be labor-intensive. “If we have someone to help out with those almost 19,000 parcels, then... that would be perfect because that's hope that's a lot of work for little old me,” Curry said.

Board members discussed whether the work was primarily financial data processing or technical parcel-by-parcel review. Commissioners raised the possibility of bulk changes (for example, raising residential minimums from $4.50 to $7.50) but Curry said the spreadsheet could be changed in bulk only with manual verification and that commercial parcels require additional, specialized calculations. Members suggested soliciting multiple proposals and consulting known local contacts for recommendations.

After the discussion, a board member moved to start the RFP process; the motion was seconded and the chair announced the motion carried unanimously. Board members said they will solicit proposals and return to the board when they have at least three proposals and a recommended vendor or consultant list.

The action advances implementation of a fee increase the county council approved earlier this year; the board and county attorney continue to finalize an amended ordinance and a timetable for billing.