By JONATHAN SNYDER
A change to the Wells County Regional Sewer District’s Budget created a $750 line item that allows them to temporarily rent a building.
The decision stemmed from a property recommendation from Cupp Real Estate owner Mick Cupp. Cupp offered his building on South Bond Street, which meets all the RSD’s conditions, including a storage area with enough height to fit their grinders and a small office space.
However, board member Bruce Stinson stated there have been flooding issues on the property that concern him. Stinson clarified that he believes the situation has gotten better over the past few years, but Cupp would have to come down in the $139,000 price.
The rental option is located at 2895 East State Road 124. The district already set aside $10,000 in February to pay for a rental option. The motion at the time only allowed the RSD to make the line item, not to rent the property itself, leaving the RSD open for any negotiations.
Additionally, RSD Supervisor Lewis Brown mentioned that there are still discrepancies between the RSD’s flow meter readings and what the meters on lift stations read. Franke Environmental Systems performed an inspection and found no issues with the meter or converter, which frustrated the RSD and Brown. Brown informed the RSD that he will continue to look into a solution.
“It’s driving us nuts,” Brown said.
Additionally, the RSD discussed some options they could enforce for those not paying the RSD for the new sewer system. While the RSD has not been enforcing late fees because of issues with their auto-payment system, the lack of funding is concerning as the general fund balance has gone down, according to board member Andy Stoller.
Brown has sent emails and letters to people who have not paid their bills, and the RSD will investigate the auto payment system troubles.
Additionally, the RSD discussed the issues with the electrical work done on the Craigville, Murray and Liberty Center project areas. While the Kingsland electrical work has been completed correctly, the other project issues were met with audible disgust from Brown at the contractor’s work. VTF can fix the Craigville issues, according to Wessler Engineering’s Levi Morrison, but the Murray and Liberty Center projects cannot be fixed as easily.
Furthermore, Morrison mentioned that the grinder installations on the Kingsland project are complete. Restoration of the area will begin as soon as the land is dry enough to work on it.
The RSD also paid six SRF disbursement requests as follows:
• $19,249 to Wessler Engineering
• $17,500 to Hiday Motors
• Three claims to Miller, Burry and Brown totaling $304
• $3,087 to Choice One Engineering
jonathan@news-banner.com
