South Bloomfield officials explain water and sewer upgrades, developer-funded financing; residents question meters and billing

Mayor Aaron Thomas called a special meeting in South Bloomfield on Nov. 6 to answer residents’ questions about planned water and sewer projects and to deny what he described as circulating rumors about personal financial involvement in the projects. "Any rumors to the contrary are false and defamatory," Mayor Aaron Thomas said as he opened the meeting.

Village Administrator Joe Allen reviewed the history of the village's water and wastewater systems and presented comparative rate data showing South Bloomfield's utility rates sit in the middle of similar-size municipalities. Allen said developers pay up front for new water and sewer infrastructure, not residents’ utility bills or income taxes, and described technical specifications for the village’s new water plant. He said the plant is designed to produce water with a hardness of about 120 to reduce corrosion in public lines and recommended homeowners who want softer water install individual softeners.

Village Fiscal Officer Alisha Burke explained how governmental fund accounting restricts many village funds to specific purposes and outlined five separate utility funds used to collect and spend utility revenues. Burke displayed the sewer-plant loan payoff schedule, noting the remaining loan term runs through 2037, and said that by collecting and saving developer fees now "the village will save residents over $1 million dollars in interest alone by not having to take out another loan." That financial framing underpinned village officials’ argument that growth has helped South Bloomfield avoid rate increases despite post‑COVID inflation.

Village Solicitor Brian Zets said he reviewed the village’s billing practices and found no statutes indicating noncompliance. On public-records requests, Zets said, "There is no specific way that a citizen has to request a public record," and recommended residents be specific in their requests to speed fulfillment.

The meeting moved to a resident question-and-answer session. On meter accuracy, resident Stephanie Roush asked who reads household meters; Allen said meters are read by radio (installed about 10 years ago), which "eliminates most of the opportunity for human error." Allen also said water is tested daily. Several residents asked about deduct meters for irrigation; Mayor Thomas said the village has ordered deduct meters and will contact interested residents when they are available, and that residents may receive a sewer credit twice per year when they submit readings. Allen confirmed deduct meters are measured in 1,000‑gallon blocks.

Other points raised by residents and officials included: the Rumpke refuse contract, which Mayor Thomas said expires at the end of 2025 and will be put out for bid; the village's use of a Public Entities Pool for insurance; and an affirmation from Mayor Thomas that the village is planning and saving for future sewer-plant upgrades so another loan should not be necessary.

Before adjourning, resident John Hoffman asked about whole-house water softening versus conditioning; Allen recommended residents check system water‑use figures because some softener systems use water for flushing and that can raise monthly bills. Kelli DiMcNeal asked whether the meter-reading system is routinely tested; Allen said it is checked when residents question readings and that he would explore instituting regular random sampling.

Council member Tom Ramsay moved to adjourn; Amber Murphy seconded. The council voted Ken Everts: yes, Woody Blanton: yes, Tom Ramsay: yes, Lisa McDorman: yes, Dena Cobb: yes, Amber Murphy: yes. The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

The council provided factual updates on project specifications, funding sources and operational practices; officials did not take formal action on rates or authorizations during the special session, apart from the adjournment vote. Residents with additional questions were encouraged to contact council members or village staff.