The Batesville City Council is set to consider an ordinance Tuesday that would establish a formal process for property owners to request compensation when their real or personal property is damaged by failures in city-maintained water or sewer lines.
The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Batesville City Hall, located at 500 E. Main St.
Under the proposed ordinance, property owners could apply to the council for reimbursement after experiencing damage caused by a break, blockage, or malfunction in a city-owned utility line. Applicants would need to prove they had exhausted available insurance coverage and other remedies before seeking payment.
The ordinance would cap payments at $20,000 per occurrence, which could include damage to properties such as single-family homes, apartment complexes, businesses, medical facilities, or long-term care facilities. If losses from a single incident exceed $20,000 across multiple owners, payouts would be distributed proportionally.
To qualify for reimbursement, applicants would also be required to install and maintain a pop-off cleanout device and a backflow preventer on their plumbing. The city would provide these devices, and property owners could choose to perform the installation themselves or hire the city to complete the work. However, this requirement could be waived by the city engineer under specific circumstances.
The proposed ordinance would repeal a 2009 measure that addressed a similar issue. It also includes an emergency clause that would allow the new rules to take effect immediately upon approval.
In addition to the ordinance discussion, the council’s agenda includes reports from the Parks and Recreation, Sanitation, and Cemetery/Landscape departments. There will also be time allocated for citizen comments.
The Batesville City Council regularly meets to discuss measures aimed at improving public services and addressing resident concerns. Tuesday’s meeting is open to the public.