Regional water board approves MOU on IURC matters, notes county reimbursement for Mishawaka costs

The St. Joseph County Regional Water and Sewer District on Dec. 1 approved a memorandum of understanding related to Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) matters and recorded county reimbursement tied to a previous Mishawaka case.

The board voted to adopt the MOU after Granger, who presented the draft and its attachments, said the document had been circulated about 10 days earlier and that the redline changes were “pretty straightforward.” Granger summarized that Section 4 of the draft lists priorities for tax-increment financing (TIF) dollars and said regional improvements were moved to third priority because the city and county still need funding to build a loop to serve a new data center. “I do think that, overall, I have no problems with the MOU, but I'm open to questions or concerns,” Granger said.

Granger told the board the county redevelopment commission approved reimbursement related to the Mishawaka IURC matter. According to Granger, the RDC authorized reimbursement of an amount up to $90,000; Granger said the county has “fully reimbursed the district on the Mishawaka IURC matter.” Granger also noted Granger Water is disputing the settlement and that another IURC matter could be filed by New Carlisle; the RDC approved potential cost reimbursement if the district incurs expenses in that matter.

Mary, a staff member referenced at the meeting, was directed to obtain signatures on the MOU before the meeting ended.

The board did not take further binding action on the Granger Water dispute; Granger said the committee did not plan to offer testimony unless necessary. The MOU vote and the reimbursement acknowledgment conclude the district’s immediate administrative steps related to the Mishawaka IURC item.