Lakeland Regional Sewer District – July 15th 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
None
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
A draft of the June 17th, 2026 regular meeting minutes was sent to the Board via email for review on June 26th, 2026 with a second draft sent on June 30th, 2026 and posted to Boardable on the same day
Motion by Jim Haney to approve; second by Mark Koehler.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
43 EMS B42F Ln – DAMAGE WITH REPAIR CHARGES
The property owner requested that the repair costs be split between them and their neighbor. After reviewing the situation, the Board and Andy determined that the damage occurred on the property owner’s side. Therefore, regardless of who caused the damage, anyone on the property is considered a guest of the homeowner, and the responsibility for the repairs remains with the property owner.
Non-Compliance Section 15.4.2 of the District’s Use Ordinance
Lyn Doerr, representing Barbee Restaurant, addressed the overages and explained that after being notified, she immediately contacted Shankster’s. She was informed that the installed baffle was not a guaranteed fail-safe. In response, she had the grease trap cleaned immediately and requested that the cleaning frequency be increased to every two months during the busy season. She also implemented additional preventative measures in the kitchen, including requiring staff to wipe excess grease from fryer vents with paper towels before washing them in the sink. The Board expressed its appreciation for Lyn’s prompt response and proactive efforts to address the issue.
Nathan Berry, representing Lakelife Bar & Grill, also addressed the overages. He explained that, based on his investigation, he believes the issue was caused by a jammed ejector pit, possibly resulting from patrons flushing items that should not have been disposed of in the toilets. Although signs are posted in the restrooms, he acknowledged that he cannot guarantee customer compliance. Nathan stated that he had Strombeck clean the system again and that the ejector pit has since been repaired. The Board addressed the 3 fines that were assessed at the beginning of the that were scheduled to be addressed again at the July meeting.
Motion by Mike DeWald to defer the decision to rescind the 3 fines until the August meeting, second by Cullen Reece.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
TREASURER’S REPORT AND OTHER FINANCIAL MATTERS
Mike Dewald overviewed the Cash and Funds Balance Matrix – June 30th, 2026 denoting the funds grand total of $2,821, 338.
Mike DeWald overviewed the Management Cash Budget of January 1, 2025 through June 30th, 2026.
The following June 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 Jack Bonewits.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
The Monthly Claims Approval form of June 2026th was reviewed by Jenna Habegger.
Motion by Jim Haney to approve the payment of monthly claims grand total of $64,830.78 with second by Bob Hookman
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 Treatment System Operations Report of June 30th, 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.
Jim asked about a process improvement plan to ensure power is not left off at a station by human error. Matt explained that tags have been given to each tech to apply to the panel when power is turned off that will remind the tech to turn the power back on. The Board discussed other possible options. Jim requested once they get a system going that Astbury brings an example to the meeting to show the Board.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR COMMITTEE
Nothing to Report
ENGINEERING UPDATE
DLZ has determined that LRSD needs to submit documentation to Area Plan regarding the communication tower and the Ferric Chloride tank. Jim Haney has authorized the submission
Jim updated the Board that Casey will be submitting the permit forms and proper documentation to the county by Friday 7/17/2026.
Need Board authorization to sell the unused storage container based the quotes that have been submitted
Motion by Jim Haney to sell the container to Kingman Mobile Storage; second by Mike Dewald.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
PURCHASING UPDATE
Nothing to Report
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Nothing to Report
PROPERTY OWNER CONNECTION STATUS
Jenna reviewed the Property Owner Connection Status report, updated through July 14th, 2026
Hilgeman – 19 EMS B1E Ln – Rate Reduction Request
Motion by Jim Haney to approved the rate reduction request for 19 EMS B1E lane, second by Jack Bonewits.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
Rate Study
The rate study was reviewed by Jim and provided clarifications to Board members’ inquiries.
OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD
Jenna’s maternity leave was discussed. The Board approved eight (8) weeks of maternity leave for her.
A motion was made by Jim Haney to authorize the signing of the paperwork discussed during the Executive Session and to approve the purchase of a work laptop, not to exceed $2,000, if remote work becomes necessary. Motionseconded by Mark Koehler.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn meeting was made at 7:37pm PM by Jim Haney with second by Cullen 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