Stormwater Board Special Meeting: October 10, 2024

The City of Lawrence Indiana Stormwater Board held a special meeting on October 10, 2024, primarily to review and approve the 2025 stormwater budget. Significant discussion centered on concerns about the handling and presentation of the stormwater fund, which is a restricted fund intended solely for stormwater-related projects. The controller explained the budget process and noted that no specific projects were planned for 2025, with potential bonding for future projects once identified. However, a department head publicly accused the controller of diverting $1.3 million from the stormwater fund to cover a general fund shortfall, calling it a breach of trust and abuse of authority. This accusation led to confusion and concern among board members, prompting a motion to table the 2025 budget approval and schedule another special meeting to further investigate the issue. The meeting highlighted issues of transparency, restricted fund management, and the need for clear communication regarding budget allocations and project planning within the stormwater department.