Delaware County wastewater board pauses billing, orders hardship policy after resident plea

The Delaware County Regional Wastewater District voted on Sept. 25 to temporarily shut off sewer service and pause billing for a customer after a public request and directed staff to draft a formal hardship policy for future cases.

At the meeting Ronald Collins, a Muncie resident, asked the board to suspend sewer billing for his brother, who has been in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation since July and is not currently living at the property. Collins said he has taken several cost‑saving steps for the household, including suspending trash, limiting lawn service and turning off the well and furnace. "Paying $75 a month when you're not living there is an issue I'd like to talk to you about," Collins said.

Board members discussed existing rules and whether an exception could be made. Several members said the circumstance appeared to be an extraordinary hardship. The board approved two actions: immediate shutoff of service and pausing billing for the account while staff prepares a hardship policy, and direction that staff bring a proposed ordinance or policy to the November meeting for formal adoption. The board also approved pausing the customer's automatic ACH withdrawal so no further charges are drawn during the suspension period.

Danielle (staff member) was assigned to draft the hardship policy that will define eligibility, documentation requirements and the process for reinstatement of service. Board members emphasized the need for clear criteria to avoid inconsistent case‑by‑case decisions. One board member said the forthcoming policy should cover medical and rehabilitation cases and other documented hardships.

At the close of the discussion the board took the action to shut off the tap and hold billing for the account and directed staff to return a policy draft for the November meeting. There was no roll‑call vote recorded in the transcript; the motion was adopted after a voice vote of "aye."