PORTER | Town rate consultants Cender & Co. told the Porter Town Council on Tuesday night that a 60 percent sewer rate increase would be necessary, in two phases, to bring the town's system into compliance with Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements.

Damon Tsouklis, of Cender & Co., presented a study that recommended a phase one increase of 30 percent instituted "within the next couple of months" that would cover salary increases, fees to Chesterton, and minor repairs and maintenance.

Another 30 percent increase would come in the plan's second phase. This increase would cover a major capital improvement in the town's deteriorating sewer system, a topic of much debate over the past year for the council.

"There are $3.8 million in needs, so this would involve a bond with an SRF (state revolving fund) loan of $4 million," Tsouklis said.

Tsouklis explained what the increase means to the common Porter consumer.

"The typical homeowner uses 5,000 gallons in a billing period and receives a bill for $40.51. With the phase one increase, they would see a jump to $52.81. With phase two, that would jump to $68.52," he said.

Council President Bill Sexton responded, "These capital improvements are not an option. They are required by IDEM. We don't have an alternative. This goes back to the '70s. The sewer system was very neglected. Little was done to maintain it and we're paying the price now for what wasn't done 30 years ago.

"We've reached that point where our system is virtually not working."

Some members of the council discussed pursuing a buyer for the town's sewer system, including one next door, said Sexton.

"The town of Chesterton has showed an interest and there are two other companies that have an interest," he said.

"It doesn't matter if we do it or someone else owns it. It has to be done," Public Works Director Brenda Brueckheimer said.

The council voted unanimously to call a public hearing on the rate hike for the Aug. 12 meeting, Sexton said.

Sexton also told the council of his resignation, and his wife, Zathoe Sexton, also tendered her resignation as Park Board president. The longtime public servants explained they had to change their life priorities to include more time with their family.