[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6468479,"mediaKeyId","5782125-8676f0f7389d04f144ce4df3f98e4748","parentId",5782125,"title","Blackford County officials hear objections and details as engineers explain proposed county sewer district","audioSeconds",2217,"startMs",1132000,"endMs",3349000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782125-8676f0f7389d04f144ce4df3f98e4748&start=1132&end=3349","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782125-8676f0f7389d04f144ce4df3f98e4748/thumbnail_1132000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6468479/Blackford-County/Indiana/Blackford-County-officials-hear-objections-and-details-as-engineers-explain-proposed-county-sewer-district","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468479-62718be063ee22018156516ab384f7c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088365&Signature=M15K5l5VEMBnGXOsIr9Yak0ZYzOC9U5SsQhhaleVphYVL5negVrJRmBdq5Yqc119VP26Hn0piOYRjmO-Uz1XYdxXYEzDoRTVpnrdCo2LLx9Ot-xMxS5MZKcCYZrAVmRXo0qksIfrf6j0B6z5S6Fd1FUn7BV8kWNdl7MefswUhmF4rYrtWnTmFj1i0rm2gOpDtaSS1fPz-kChciHSbSxZUNEoISW-0ZQUF0lLtTx4CmkMR37tunkI95vwy8wqX14jkKs-c-rmeD3f900vnA1Z4Yq1ywkcpSVsPoFEKHY6qxrzHzFfnUcRKpAYxIjbdcwqqF52-RbVMxkYQa~2w9UmWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Blackford County, IN","date","2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","article","Blackford County commissioners and the county council met Sept. 17 for a public information session about a proposed Blackford County sewer district. Engineers and attorneys from Commonwealth Engineers answered questions about how a district would be formed, how projects would be phased and how funding and user rates could be set, while residents voiced opposition and urged councilors to reject the petition to form a district.

The meeting brought public comment, technical explanation and follow‑up questions into one session. Resident Dennis Layman, speaking on behalf of property owners opposed to the district, said he had “over 850 signed petitions against this,” and urged elected officials to vote no on forming a sewer district.

Commonwealth Engineers representatives described the formation process, how the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is involved and how projects would be prioritized. Thomas Barclay of Commonwealth Engineers said creation of a district is not a state mandate: “This is not mandated by the state. It is highly encouraged,” and he described state waivers that can delay mandatory connection for some homeowners. Project engineer Rob Baluchi emphasized that creating a district does not commit the county to immediately build every identified project: “Creation of a district doesn't commit any project to happen.”

Why this matters: a regional sewer district would open state and federal funding sources that are hard to access without an authorized district entity, but it also raises questions about which properties would be served, who would pay and how quickly costs could be imposed on homeowners. Residents said prior public meetings left them with incomplete information; engineers and county staff said the information session was intended to answer those questions.

Key points and details

- Public opposition: Dennis Layman, speaking for property owners, said he delivered more than 850 signed petitions opposing formation of the district and said county residents were told inaccurate information at earlier meetings. Layman said the project would be “a $30,000,000 project with around 300 sites,” and argued the county should pursue cheaper fixes for localized problems rather than a broad district.

- Scope and phasing: Commonwealth Engineers described the planning document as a “breathing” planning tool that lists multiple possible project areas so funding agencies can evaluate them. Company representatives said earlier drafts identified roughly eight areas countywide; building every area at once is not the plan. The firm said the first area under consideration was a corridor along State Road 18, from Montpelier toward Hartford City, and cluster areas such as Shamrock Lake and Lake Mohi (identified in the consultant plan) were among initial candidates.

- Hook‑up rules and waivers: Engineers said IDEM has guidance on connection waivers. In areas where a sewer line is installed, IDEM may grant homeowners an initial 10‑year waiver and up to two subsequent five‑year waivers, or other combinations depending on the life expectancy of the homeowner’s septic system. Commonwealth representatives said waivers and the county’s permitting authority affect when an individual homeowner must hook up.

- Cost and funding: Engineers and county staff said large projects typically require significant grant support; multiple speakers said many of the conceptual projects would be feasible only with “90% plus” grant funding. Staff and consultants discussed how capital cost is converted into a monthly user rate: project cost divided by expected users, minus grant support, yields a projected monthly fee. Presentations referenced typical user‑rate targets that funding agencies look for (state averages cited in discussion were roughly $65–$80 per month in many planning documents), and speakers noted that smaller systems or earlier projects in other counties had higher or lower results depending on scale (Delaware County was cited as an example of a larger, financially stable district that serves more than 3,000 customers).

- Technical considerations and treatment capacity: Commonwealth said it had consulted likely receiving municipalities (Montpelier, Hartford City and other “certified treatment areas”) about whether treatment capacity exists and whether upgrades would be required; if upgrades are necessary that cost must be included in project estimates.

- Property, permitting and septic regulation: County speakers and consultants discussed local permitting rules and how failing septic systems, baffle conditions and lot sizes affect the feasibility and cost of on‑site repairs versus central systems. Multiple people urged updating county ordinances and stronger inspection/maintenance practices to reduce raw sewage discharges.

What the county did (and did not) decide

No votes were taken at the Sept. 17 session. Commonwealth Engineers said the petition to IDEM had previously been submitted and that IDEM requested updated council approval after membership changes on the council. County staff said the matter will be returned to the county council agenda on Oct. 8 for further consideration and possible formal action; until then, the meeting functioned as an informational briefing and public comment session.

Voices from the meeting

- Dennis Layman, resident and representative of property owners opposed to the sewer district: “I have over 850 signed petitions against this.”
- Thomas Barclay, Commonwealth Engineers (presenting): “This is not mandated by the state. It is highly encouraged.”
- Rob Baluchi, Commonwealth Engineers (project engineer): “Creation of a district doesn't commit any project to happen.”
- Danielle Struble, Commonwealth (attorney for districts): referenced Delaware County as a stable example and said that Delaware County “does make money” and has healthy reserves for projects.

Community context and next steps

Speakers said that forming a regional sewer district is primarily a mechanism to pursue grants or pursue a project if a cluster of residents or a potential industry asks for service. Several residents told the panel they worry about compulsory hook‑ups, immediate assessment or large monthly bills. Consultants and county staff reiterated that forming the district would not obligate the county or individual property owners to immediate construction or billing; any specific project would go through engineering, public meetings and financing steps before construction.

The council indicated staff should return the matter on Oct. 8 for next steps. Commonwealth Engineers said it will be available to answer further questions and that IDEM will host formal public meetings once the petition process advances.

Ending

County officials kept the Sept. 17 session to information, asking consultants to clarify technical, permitting and funding questions and giving residents another opportunity to record objections on the public record. The council scheduled further consideration for Oct. 8; if the council and commissioners approve an updated petition, IDEM would hold formal hearings as the next stage in the statutory process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Blackford County Council - September 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Blackford County commissioners and the county council met Sept. 17 to get an overview and take public comment on a proposed county sewer district; engineers said forming a district would open grant funding and allow phased projects, while residents and some officials raised cost and hookup concerns.","taxTitle","Blackford County, Indiana","taxId",70816,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6468474,"County staff present two ambulance proposals; staff leans toward Marion Health for 911 coverage",2243,5613000,7856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5782125-8676f0f7389d04f144ce4df3f98e4748&start=5613&end=7856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5782125-8676f0f7389d04f144ce4df3f98e4748/thumbnail_5613000.jpg","/articles/6468474/Blackford-County/Indiana/County-staff-present-two-ambulance-proposals-staff-leans-toward-Marion-Health-for-911-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468474-ef6ccdb96b35f11035a688bb24165a7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771088365&Signature=hdEW4oH0cNVDYgbso28nE7eFEkD4iEZ9CBtdeT9rgaj4GCjfwwNgUpmASzWJye1N0GzMw8gjolFi7oyAzIcB2VgyABmtLEcA2SnwI-6wLnu7kl9SPQe4HSyDboeXY0-8lAF4go4CVFzsxLL7a7KToUVmL271j-ywUqlVWMbvnXbwQz9xr4uEuS7jCjyMixkBZRuXsTGtEYI3KQY3ipp0Ojj5jqVS37ygfOxVF6ShiuJ9J2DkV~5hW7-XBfwkbS6n9mLEVzahOAVHxbP1b0lFgzL1aayv2KWuEWohHCBu9sjoUFsMoQuCDyuAMJYMZhK4spqiQN0qvWkvlYI9dqmCgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blackford County officials reviewed two proposals Sept. 17 to provide ambulance services after the county's current agreement approaches expiration. County staff summarized an IU Health Lifeline option and an alternative offered by Marion Health, discussed funding and facility needs, and recommended further negotiation. No formal decision or contract award was made.

County staff presented key differences between the proposals. The IU Health Lifeline option as described would leave the county with one regularly based ambulance in Hartford City and a second ambulance that Marion Health staff described would be used for longer hospital transfers when available; staff said the IU option included an annual subsidy in the county’s current range (roughly $500,000) but could include a 4% annual increase and would allow the provider discretion to use the secondary unit for non‑local transfers.

In contrast, the Marion Health proposal described a model that prioritizes 9‑1‑1 emergency coverage inside Blackford County. Under the Marion scenario staff outlined, the county would host a full‑time advanced life support (ALS) ambulance in Blackford County and Marion Health would base a second ambulance at Marion East that could be routed into Blackford County when needed. Marion’s model as presented would still require county investment in housing or a facility for on‑site crew quarters, but staff said Marion’s approach would more consistently dedicate ambulances to local 9‑1‑1 response rather than relying on a provider’s transfer workload.

Why this matters: ambulance coverage affects response times for life‑threatening events and carries substantial recurring costs. Staff and elected officials framed the choice as a trade‑off between retaining the existing IU Lifeline arrangement (which includes a large component of interfacility transfers and potential variability in local ambulance availability) and contracting with Marion Health for service that would focus primarily on emergency response within the county.

Funding and costs discussed

- Current subsidy: staff said the county currently pays a subsidy in the roughly $500,000 range to maintain ambulance service. Proposals reviewed were priced within that general envelope but included projected annual increases (examples in the presentations used 4% as an illustration).

- Staffing cost estimate: presenters referenced an industry rule of thumb that operating one staffed ambulance can cost on the order of $750,000 to $1,000,000 annually when salaries, benefits, equipment, insurance and overhead are included; counties with larger populations running multiple ambulances reported multi‑million dollar budgets.

- Capital needs: county staff discussed the need for a housing facility if Marion Health’s model were chosen. Potential sites discussed included county property or school grounds nearer the county center; staff noted the county could also acquire or lease a small facility with living quarters, a restroom, a kitchen and vehicle storage.

Operational considerations

- Transfers versus 9‑1‑1 work: staff emphasized that hospital‑to‑hospital transfers (which can produce higher reimbursement) are a significant revenue source for private ambulance operators; depending on a provider’s business model, that can reduce local ambulance availability for 9‑1‑1 calls. Marion Health’s proposal was presented as focusing its ambulance resources on emergency response rather than transfers.

- Mutual aid and coverage risk: several officials cautioned that any single‑unit model would increase reliance on mutual aid from neighboring counties. County staff said frequent reliance on mutual aid risks pushing partner services into negotiating fees or declining availability if the burden is large.

What happened and next steps

County staff recommended pursuing the Marion Health proposal for a local ALS ambulance with Marion East as a supporting resource and returning negotiated terms for council review. The council did not vote; staff were directed to continue negotiations, clarify costs and facility options, and return a formal contract or recommendation for action at an upcoming meeting (staff suggested the Oct. 8 agenda would be used to continue fleet and funding discussions).

Community context and concerns

Sheriff and other local officials participated in the discussion about dispatch logistics, historical run volumes and hospital turnaround times. Presenters noted Blackford County averages a low number of transports per day (examples cited were about 2–3 transports on typical days), which affects revenue potential for private operators and increases the county subsidy required to guarantee coverage.

Ending

County staff asked for direction to continue negotiations and to seek final contract details and an implementation timetable before the county’s current provider agreement expires. The county council and commissioners will receive a report back with firm pricing, facility options and proposed contractual terms before any binding vote.","County staff briefed commissioners and councilors Sept. 17 on two competing ambulance service proposals — one from IU Health Lifeline and one from Marion Health — and recommended pursuing Marion Health’s proposal that emphasizes county 9‑1‑1 coverage; no contract was awarded.","actionData","errors"]

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Blackford County officials hear objections and details as engineers explain proposed county sewer district

County staff present two ambulance proposals; staff leans toward Marion Health for 911 coverage