TLSD hears rate adjustment recommendation
By Debbie Lowe

Carroll County residents who attended the Thursday night meeting of the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District Board of Directors learned more about how much they could pay each month for sewer service.

Presenting the findings of a recent districtwide rate study, John Julien of H.J. Umbaugh and Associates described the district's finances as having a "weak cash position." He explained the contracted rate study considered the current financial position as it relates to the sewer district's revenue.

Julien said the objective of the recommendation was to eventually establish a standard operating rate for all service areas.

"Your cash position is very minimal at this time," he said. "As you know, the office of rural development is pushing toward uniform rates for all service areas," he continued. "There is a need to proceed to generate additional revenue."

The recommendations Julien verbally presented were rate adjustments for current customers. According to Carroll County board representative Wayne Garrison, the written document provided to board members from the firm contained rate recommendations for Phase III and IIIB. Phase IIIB is the Carroll County service area.

It was recommended all current users experience monthly rate increases. The Big Monon service area would be levied a $9.20 increase, from the current monthly charge to $55/month, the largest increase recommended.

Snowditch customers would realize a $2.50/month increase, Idaville customers a $6.50/month and Phase I and II a $4.50/month increase.

"You can't consider this much longer," Julien said about the financial status of the district.

He reported the standard operating rate per customer across the board is $22.50. Additional charges are added for debt service and other associated costs.

Julien stated in an Aug. 10 telephone interview with the Comet, the recommended rate for customers in Phase III and IIIB is $65/month with a $2,500 connection fee. This fact was not part of his oral presentation at the board meeting.

"I was glad to see that Phase III costs are where they are," Garrison said. "The diligent effort of the board to reduce the costs associated with the district and the re-design of the project helped keep the Phase III cost down."

"When you take your feelings out of it and put your mind in it, this seems right," explained sewer district treasurer Art Anderson. "Every time we start a new project, the older projects pay for it. In two years (abiding by the rate recommendations) we'll be caught up."

"This will help Phase III in their rates," he continued. "We would finally get the accounts set up right."

The proposed rate ordinance is scheduled to be formally presented to the public at the Aug. 24 sewer district meeting. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the White County Building on the site of the former White County Courthouse, in downtown Monticello. The first reading to adopt the ordinance will be held at the same meeting.

The rate ordinance public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28 during the regularly scheduled sewer district meeting at the same location.