Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee - July 20, 2026

The City of Carmel, Indiana Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee met on July 20, 2026, to discuss two main agenda items related to stormwater fees and bond proceeds reallocation. The committee reviewed ordinance D-2836-26 concerning stormwater user fees and received legal counsel advice that the ordinance was premature because the proper process requires the Board of Public Works and Safety (BPW) to establish fees before council approval. The committee voted unanimously to send the ordinance back to the full council with a negative recommendation. Additionally, the committee considered reallocating 2024 bond proceeds, including redirecting funds from a canceled CCI grant and the Autumn Greenway Trail project to support a new fire station site selection and a multiuse path connectivity project. The committee heard presentations on the proposed acquisition of 24 acres adjacent to Meadowlark Park for a nature preserve and the repurposing of a utilities building for a new fire station on the West Side. The committee unanimously approved recommending these bond project changes to the full council, pending bond counsel review. The meeting emphasized adherence to legal procedures for fee adoption and strategic use of bond funds for capital improvement projects.