Lakeland Regional Sewer District – June 17th, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
CALL MEETING TO ORDER / REPORT OF MEETING NOTICE PROVIDED
Lakeland Regional Sewer District (LRSD) Board of Trustees met at the District’s Administration Office, 5002 East 100 North, Warsaw, Indiana. The monthly general meeting date and time were posted and advertised as required and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Jim Haney.
Present: Jim Haney, Mike DeWald, Cullen Reece, Mark Koehler, Jack Bonewits, Rosa Ritchie, Bob Hookman
Absent: N/A
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Steve Solomon wanted to address the late fees on his (2) accounts. He stated that he mailed his payment on March 23 and that it was posted to his account on April 1, making the payment one day late
Motion to take up the matter at the current Board Meeting by Cullen Reece; second by Bob Hookman.
Jim explained that the District cannot control USPS delivery times and that if Mr. Solomon enrolls in Auto Pay payments, the late fees would be waived. Mr. Solomon agreed to do that.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
A draft of the May 20th, 2026 regular meeting minutes was sent to the Board via email for review on June 1st, 2026 with a second draft sent on June 5th, 2026 and posted to Boardable on the same day.
Motion by Jack Bonewits to approve; second by Bob Hookman.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 5 Yeas;0 Nays; 2 Abstains
Eric Hilgeman – Permanent Disconnect Process
Eric Hilgeman recently purchased the vacant lot adjacent to his residence. He went through the county to connect both properties into one. He is requesting that if he goes through the permit process for a permanent disconnect, gets the equipment removed, if the Board would agree to not charge the monthly debt service fee of $38.90.
Andy explained the purpose of Ordinance No. 2024-10 and the reason for the continuing debt service fee.
Motion by Jim to take a vote on Eric’s request to rescind the debt service charge on the property; Motion failed for lack of a second.
Non-Compliance Section 15.4.2 of the District’s Use Ordinance
Lakelife Bar & Grill represented by Nathan Berry. Lyn Doerr, representing Barbee Restaurant. Jim reviewed the test results, which showed no violations during the past month for either restaurant. Nathan asked to confirm with the Board that the motion to rescind the 3 violation charges will be voted on in July. Jim answered yes, the Board would like to see more data trending in the right direction prior to taking that vote as agreed upon in a previous meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND OTHER FINANCIAL MATTERS
Mike DeWald reviewed the Cash and Funds Balance Matrix as of May 31, 2026, noting total funds of $2,724,253.
Mike DeWald overviewed the Management Cash Budget of January 1st, 2026 through May 31st, 2026.
The following May 2026 financial reports, prepared by Krohn & Associates, were presented by Mike DeWald: Unaudited Schedule of Cash Receipts and Disbursements; Monthly Analysis of Funds Balances; and Monthly Analysis of Cash and Investment Accounts.
Motion by Jim Haney to approve; second by Cullen Reece.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
The Monthly Claims Approval form of May 2026 was reviewed by Jenna Habegger.
Motion by Jim Haney to approve the payment of monthly claims grand total of $93,776.65 by with second by Mike DeWeWald.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays;0 Abstains
Board members affixed their signature approval to the Monthly Claim Approval Form.
ASTBURY MONTHLY REPORT
PUMP/PANEL INVENTORY, CUSTOMER PROTOCOL REMINDER
The LRSD Treatment System Operations Report of May 2026 was emailed to Board members by Astbury Water Technology, Inc. Matt Rippey reviewed key aspects of the report and provided clarifications to Board members’ inquiries.
During the mapping inspections Astbury has run into several easement violations which either prohibit or hamper the technicians’ ability to complete the inspection. Astbury asked how they should handle those situations. Jim explained that LRSD will notify the property owner by letter and allow 30 days to remedy the violation. If it is not fixed within 30 days Astbury has the right to remove the obstruction(s) per the easement agreements.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR COMMITTEE
Nothing to report
ENGINEERING UPDATE
The Board discussed the 3 items that Area Plan is questioning. Jim explained that we are waiting for a follow up from DLZ but it’s his understanding they think Lakeland is ok on the communication tower and the chloric tank. Jim then brought up the storage container that is on the property. The Board believes the storage container was left by a contractor during the original construction of the facility. Since it is no longer being used, the Board discussed disposing of it. Andy explained that the container would be considered abandoned property and that the District could legally sell it.
PURCHASING UPDATE
Nothing to report
FINANCE COMMITTEE
PROPERTY OWNER CONNECTION STATUS
Jenna reviewed the Property Owner Connection Status report, updated through June 15th, 2026.
Rate Reduction Request – Breit – 6 EMS B60B who bought and tore down an old cottage next to them.
Motion by Jim Haney to approve the rate reduction request second by Bob Hookman
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays;0 Abstains
OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn meeting was made at 7:08 PM by Jim Haney with second by Cullin Reece.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays;0 Abstains
Submitted to Board by Jenna Habegger, District Administrator
Reviewed by Board Secretary, Rosa Ritchie