Lakeland Regional Sewer District – August 19, 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, Mark Koehler, Jack Bonewits, Rosa Ritchie, Bob Hookman
Absent: Cullen Reece
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
None
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
A draft of the July 15th 2026 regular meeting minutes was submitted to all Board members via email on July 28th, 2026 with a second draft sent on July 29th, 2026. The final version was posted on Boardable on August 3rd, 2026
Motion by Jim Haney to approve; second by Bob Hookman.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 6 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
NON-COMPLIANCE SECTION 15.4.2 of the DISTRICT’S USE ORDINANCE
Lakelife Bar & Grill represented by Nathan Berry.
Motion by Mike DeWald to rescind the 3 ordinance violations from the beginning of the 2026 calendar year totaling $7500, second by Rosa Ritchie.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 6 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
TREASURER’S REPORT AND OTHER FINANCIAL MATTERS Mike Dewald overviewed the Cash and Funds Balance Matrix – July 31, 2026 denoting the funds grand total of $2,918,270
Mike DeWald overviewed the Management Cash Budget of July 1, 2026 through July 31, 2026.
The following July 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 Mike DeWald to approve; second by Bob Hookman.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 6 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
The Monthly Claims Approval form of July 2026 was reviewed by Jenna Habegger
Motion to approve the payment of monthly claims grand total of $106,221.00 by Mike DeWald with second by Jack Bonewits.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 6 Yeas; 0Nays; 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 July 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.
Discussed curb stops covered by asphalt and appropriate steps with the guidance of attorney Chris Nusbaum.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR COMMITTEE
Nothing to report
ENGINEERING UPDATE
DLZ Cost Proposal, Astbury & IDS Infrastructure Quotes
Motion by Jim seeking approval to authorize Astbury to begin working with DLZ to locate the missing curb stops, with LRSD paying DLZ $70 per grinder station for an initial 30 stations, followed by an assessment; second by Jack Bonewits.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 6 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
PURCHASING UPDATE
Jim requested that Chris draft a new Purchasing Policy to cover Jenna’s maternity leave. He suggested dividing Jenna’s $10,000 purchasing authority between the two other Board members who currently have purchasing authority for the duration of her maternity leave.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Nothing to report
PROPERTY OWNER CONNECTION STATUS
Jenna reviewed the Property Owner Connection Status report, updated through August 18, 2026
3,7 EMS B6B Rate reduction Request – seeking the Boards Consideration for a Rate Reduction for both properties that were recently purchased by 1 owner. The owner has completed the necessary permit process and has no plans to rebuild / reconnect within the next 5 years at least
Motion to approve the rate reduction request by Jim; second by Jack Bonewits.
Motion Carried by voice vote of: 6 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
Permit Extension Request – The Board considered a request submitted by property owner Brian Kieffer for a 12-month extension of the permit for 73 EMS B61 Ln, Lot 9.
The Board discussed the request and determined that the original permit was filed in September 2024 and, in accordance with the District’s ordinance, was valid for 18 months and expired in March 2026. The ordinance allows for an extension of up to an additional 12 months. The Board therefore approved the requested extension through March 2027. Upon expiration of the extension, the Board will require the
completion of a permanent vacate permit, which will include a rate reduction.
Rate Study
The Board reviewed and discussed the current rate study.
OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD
Roof Damage: Two shingles recently blew off the roof. Jim recommended repairing the roof rather than replacing it due to its age. Astbury will have the contractor who previously repaired another section of the roof inspect the damage and provide pricing to fix.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn meeting was made at 7:20 PM by Jim Haney with second by Rosa Ritchie.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 6 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
Submitted to Board by Jenna Habegger, District Administrator
Reviewed by Board Secretary, Rosa Ritchie