Fireworks at TLRSD meeting
Board refuses to answer questions during public hearing for rate increase
By Debbie Lowe

A roomful of angry customers with complaints met with resistance fromtheTwin Lakes Regional Sewer District Board of Directors at lastThursday night's public hearing for the proposed rate increase. The same prevailed during the regular board meeting afterward.

John Julien of H.J. Umbaugh and Associates provided the basis of the rate increases for all current and proposed service areas, including the Jefferson Township service area, south of Lake Freeman, in Carroll County. Julien was directed by the board to answer no questions from the audience as he began the explanation.

Julien said the Phase IIIB service area is expected to cost $25 million dollars, based on the engineering firm's estimates.

Julien said the rate increases were designed to recoup a $200,000 annual deficit districtwide. He said of the proposed $65/month user fee for Carroll County residents, $22.50 was for operation and maintenance of the system and $42.48 was for debt service.

The meeting was opened for public comments after Julien's presentation, however board president Jim Smith informed the audience the board would answer no questions.

"We need some true oversight on this system," James Reynolds of the Big Monon Bay service area said.

"This board has alienated people. There is something seriously wrong when the board members talk to the public like they do," said Phase III resident Larry Clue.

Carroll County board representative Wayne Garrison asked board president Jim Smith to direct audience members to restrict their comments to the proposed rate ordinance only.

John Land, who owns property in Phase II, said his service has been in operation for five months and he is experiencing a nine percent increase.

"You're totally out of bounds," he said. "I'm pleading with you to allow constituents to voice their concerns."

Jefferson Township resident Pat Robertson read from the State Board of Accounts (SBA) district audit report for 2004: "...records maintained by the district related to capital assets and accumulated depreciation, other accounts receivable, materials and supplies inventory, revenues and expenses were incomplete and/or contained posting errors. Due to the condition of these records we were not able to determine the validity of the amounts recorded for these accounts."

The report continued to state the SBA was not able to be satisfied about the validity of the amounts shown for the accounts in the financial statements.

"How can you increase debt service rates when you haven't been able to manage your books so far?" she asked. "Howcan you propose rates for Phase IIIB when you have not gone to bid on that phase?"

Robertson also questioned the legality of increasing the debt service fee as presented by Julien.

Former TLRSD board member Don Apple said, "We weren't honest with the people in sitting down with them before." He suggested board members hold a question and answer session with concerned customers and potential customers. He emphasized the need for honesty in those discussions.

"I think you're making some innuendo and accusations that you shouldn't, because I don't think you can back them up," Smith replied toApple.

"I can't go along with this rate ordinance,"Apple said.

Smith told Apple to discuss the matter with Julien "out in the hall."

"That's not the point of a public meeting," Apple replied. He pleaded with board members to "uphold the constitution."

"There is no compelling need to rush this project," Jefferson Township resident Gregory Smith said. "The size and scope of this project is overblown and out of proportion to the limited need of the few problem areas along the Lake Freeman shoreline."

Smith suggested a project the size of the Idaville system be used in conjunction with the "completely functioningWhiteOaks facility." He said it would "address all current problems and result in a lower rate for the Carroll County population."

Jefferson Township resident John Shellcrosslee, who is running for township advisory board in the November general election, said the e-Coli problem in the lakes was generated "far up north."

"We don't have a sewer problem here on these lakes," he emphasized.

And finally, Jim Promeski of Upper Sunset Park in White County called for the current board members to resign due to their rudeness and arrogance toward the public.

The regular board meeting was held after a five-minute break.

GRW Engineering firm representative Joe Tierney reported another letter was received from the Office of Rural Development requesting additional information about the Phase IIIB funding request.

He stated he did not know when the next round of funding would occur and he said the current funding request had not been forwarded to the next level.

Tierney said 25 out of the 94 mainline Phase IIIB easements were received by the Sept. 25 deadline. GRW will recommend at a future boardmeetingwhat action to take against those who have not met the deadline.

"Let's keep it short," Smith said as he opened the public comments portion of the meeting.

Clue of Phase III said, "You've got to make rates reasonable and fair. (Rates) need to be under the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. There's no accountability."

Board treasurer Art Anderson disagreed with comments he'd heard.

"I think you guys should be paying the higher rate," he directed at Carroll County residents.

Anderson said no one would run to be elected to the sewer board and "listen to all the complaining."

Anderson said Phase IIIB customers should pay more and not rely on the other phases to help with funding for that area.

The meeting was adjourned shortly afterwards.

The proposed rate increase is scheduled for adoption by the board at the next meeting set for Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.