Hearing set on proposed merger of Lake Floyd PSD into Sun Valley PSD; county to accept resignations contingent on PSC process

Harrison County commissioners voted Dec. 11 to advance a proposed merger of Lake Floyd Public Service District (PSD) into Sun Valley PSD, approving a draft order, accepting resignation letters from Lake Floyd board members and setting a public hearing required under Public Service Commission rules.

David (Speaker 3), appearing on behalf of both Lake Floyd and Sun Valley PSDs, told the commission that public meetings held this fall showed local support for the merger: "Five people showed up, and all of them were in support," he said, noting Sun Valley has been providing services and billing for Lake Floyd under a services agreement for about three years. He recommended the commission sign the proposed order and set a public hearing between the PSC-required 20–40 day window.

Commissioners discussed logistics including notice posting, bank-account access during the transition and whether the effective dates of resignations should be tied to PSC approval. Speaker 6 recommended accepting resignations "effective and contingent upon the PSC approval of the merger," language the commission discussed and incorporated into motions. The commission set a public hearing for Jan. 8 at 10:10 a.m., consistent with the 20–40 day posting requirement described in state PSC rules, and approved the order by voice vote.

The county will notify affected PSD customers and post required public notices; after the county's order and local process, the merger proceeds to the state Public Service Commission for final approval.