CROWN POINT | Mayor-elect David Uran's campaign promise to give Crown Point senior citizens discounts on their water and sewer bills is going to be a "toughie," some experts say.

The vow to provide relief for residents 62 and older was an integral part of Uran's plan for his first 90 days in office.

But city financial consultant Greg Guerrettaz said he does not believe the break would be allowed under Indiana law.

"That's going to be a toughie," he said. "I'm not sure it's been done in the state of Indiana. Technically, you can try. Legally, it's an issue."

Indiana code prohibits any unjustly discriminatory or preferential rates from being charged for utilities.

Soon-to-be City Attorney David Nicholls acknowledged it would be a laborious process to enact the plan.

"It's not going to be easy," Nicholls said. "We never said it was going to easy."

The proposal must be approved by the Crown Point Board of Works and City Council, then must be sent to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for final consideration.

None of the 107 water utilities, 34 sewer utilities, and 51 combined water and sewer utilities that are regulated by the commission offer senior citizen discounts, said Mary Beth Fisher-Johnson, director of public information for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

"I have never heard of that," she said. "No one ever asked us to do that."

Even if the discount successfully funnels through all the necessary channels, it still could be up for a legal challenge.

Uran said the city would have to solidify how the discount would be enforced and how it would translate to seniors who live in apartments and do not pay separate water and sewer bills.

Uran said he researched his proposal thoroughly before promising it to residents.

"We felt the law left the door open to pursue that for our seniors," he said. "We're going to get it done."