COLUMBIANA- Final approval of a stormwater utility for city residents has been put on hold.

City Council Tuesday night tabled the second reading of an ordinance establishing a monthly $5.81 stormwater utility, the first reading of which council passed on Nov. 4.

The utility would begin in January if passed on second reading and provide for mapping and engineering needed to develop a project plan to submit for grant money to install a citywide drainage system.

Although council approved the utility on its first reading, councilmen Bob Bieshelt and James King opposed its establishment, both expressing concerns about imposing a fee on residents in today's economy.

Through discussion Tuesday night, however, council discovered an alternative that may eliminate the need for the utility.

According to city Finance Director Kevin Smith, the city had a carry-over balance in its capital improvement fund of $669,000 at the end of 2008, and it will increase to $779,000 at the end of this year. Jon Vollnogle of civil engineering firm Howells and Baird estimated the cost of mapping and preliminary engineering to be approximately $150,000.

Bieshelt said he believes the estimated amount for the initial engineering can be paid for out of the capital improvement fund and then further projects can be decided upon when the time arrives.

Although admitting it is possible, City Manager Keith Chamberlin warned against depleting the fund because it is used for disasters, to which King noted the flooding would classify.

Since an onslaught of complaints regarding the severe flooding in certain areas of the city following a rainstorm in June- which residents claimed has been recurring for over 30 years- council has been considering the adoption of a storm water utility.

Both proponents and opponents alike have been vocal in the debate, with residents affected by the flooding promoting any kind of progress toward lessening the damage and those unaffected claiming it is not their responsibility to help pay for the solution.

"I don't think it's fair that the whole city should have to pay for it," said resident Dick Snyder. "It's the city's fault for not installing [a storm drainage system] to start."

Another resident agreed.

"People are living on less income...and I think council is being insensitive to our plights," said Craig Stratton of South Main Street. "[Council] needs take a long, hard look before ramrodding this thing through."

Councilman Tom Ferguson disagreed, though.

"I personally think this is a community issue and should be a community repair," he said. "The fact that the system has been inadequate...doesn't mean we should ignore our neighbors."

Also at the meeting, council retained for 2010 meeting dates of 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month.