WTHR |Indy homeowners furious over lost sewer money

Indy homeowners furious over lost sewer money

Mary Milz/Eyewitness News

Marion County - A group of Indianapolis homeowners paid thousands of dollars to get their homes connected to city sewers. Now some of them feel their money went down the drain and they're taking the city to task.

It began three years ago when the Northern Estates neighborhood, just off Kessler on the city's west side, went from a septic system to city sewers. As per city policy, neighbors shared the cost. It came to $9,278 per home. Bill Main was among those who paid in full. Others chose an installment plan, paying over ten to twenty years. Then the rules changed.

"The people who chose the installment plan got a huge break. There's something not fundamentally right about that," said Main.

As part of plans to upgrade the city's sewer system, announced in 2005, sewer rates went up and hook-up fees dropped to $2,500 per home. The plan also involved forgiving all pervious debt. That meant people like Jeannette Boyd, who still owed thousands of dollars for her sewer hook up, were told they no longer had to pay it. Boyd was thrilled.

"I wouldn't have been happy if I paid," she said. "I just didn't have the money to pay it [in full at the time.]"

Referring to those who paid in full, Boyd said, "I would want to be reimbursed."

Main and 31 others in his neighborhood who did paid in full first went to the city, then filed a law suit, asking for at least a partial refund "because if I can or can't afford to pay shouldn't have anything to do with the assessment."

"We understand their frustration," Public Works Spokesperson Paul Whitmore said, adding there were no plans for refunds.

"We're sympathetic, but there has to be an end to one program and a beginning to another...And I know it's frustrating being between the two," he said.

Main stressed he doesn't hold anything against the neighbors who wound up paying less and he certainly doesn't want to see them billed again.

"No, they just happened to make advantageous choices at the right time," he said.

Steve Queener, president of the Northern Estates Homeowners Association agrees: "We're happy they got the benefit, but the benefit should be equal. You shouldn't be penalized for paying promptly."

Main added, "The advice to everyone in Indianapolis should be never pay for a city project up front."