Simonton Lake board flags 2025 sewer budget, consultant suggests rate increase

The Simonton Lake Conservancy District on Aug. 14 reviewed drafts of the special assessment and sewer budget for 2025 and heard a consultant recommend the board consider raising rates.

Trista Hudson of Cender/Dalton presented the special-assessment and sewer-budget materials and "suggested it is time for a rate increase," according to the meeting minutes. Hudson attended the meeting with homeowner Paul Wilson and reviewed numbers and timing for the coming budget year.

The recommendation came as board members discussed recurring maintenance and capital concerns including localized flooding, follow-up work tied to a LARE grant and several infrastructure items the homeowners association is pursuing. Mark Lucas outlined next steps on the LARE grant; Randy Hoff updated the board on dry-hydrant work the HOA is coordinating. The minutes also note a brief discussion about Flock cameras and missing lights on a few buoys between the lakes.

Financial details noted in the minutes included sewer expenses of $41,717.73 and special-assessment expenses of $1,102.51. The minutes record that Mark Lucas moved to accept the invoices and Ed Hickman seconded; the motion was recorded as passing 4-0. The record lists five board members present at the meeting but does not identify individual vote votes by name for these motions.

Linda Wilson, the district financial secretary, told the board the district has spent $30,944.50 with USIC so far this year; she also submitted her July 2024 time sheet and distributed financial statements for the district's Key Bank and Everwise accounts.

Board President and staff asked staff and contractors to provide additional budget options. Bob Evans was recorded as planning to present next month a proposal on how to allocate or regulate extra usage that occurs during heavy-rain events, which could affect how treatment costs are charged across accounts.

The board set its next meeting for Sept. 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.