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Whitestown council approves interlocal agreement with Citizens Water to advance utility sale filing
Summary
The council voted 5-0 to approve an interlocal cooperation agreement with Citizens Water that establishes a town-affiliated utility entity and an advisory/operating board as part of preparations to file a petition with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Whitestown — The Whitestown Town Council approved an interlocal cooperation agreement with Citizens Water, voting 5-0 to authorize the town’s role in the utility transfer process and to begin necessary filings with state regulators.
Town attorney and staff explained the agreement creates a citizens Whitestown entity to receive and operate the water utility and establishes an operating and advisory board with town participation. Council members were told the agreement is not the asset-purchase contract; that purchase agreement remains separate and had not been signed at the time of the meeting.
Why it matters: Town staff said the interlocal agreement is needed for Whitestown’s presentation to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Staff said they plan to file a petition around Oct. 1; IURC review can take roughly 210 days. Approving the interlocal agreement allows the town to proceed with the administrative filing and establish the governance structure for the utility if the sale is approved.
Details and questions: Council members asked how a Whitestown representative would be appointed to the utility’s operating board; staff said the council would nominate and vote on the town’s representative, similar to other local appointments. A councilmember asked whether the redevelopment commission had reviewed the item; staff clarified the tax-abatement matters are handled separately and that the tax abatement comes to the council. Another councilmember said she had requested additional protective provisions in earlier drafts but said those additions were not fully incorporated.
Outcome and next steps: A motion to approve the interlocal cooperation agreement passed 5-0. Staff said the interlocal agreement would be used in the IURC filing and that the town has not yet signed the asset-purchase agreement. The council did not specify additional conditions in the vote.
Ending: Town staff and legal counsel will proceed with the IURC-related timeline and return to council with required follow-up items and any additional agreements or approvals.
