Darmstadt reports small town and sewer fund deficits; council approves one‑time sewer billing adjustment for extreme leak

Clerk‑Treasurer Mallory Lowe told the Darmstadt Town Council on March 18 that town tax revenues for the prior month totaled $30,812 while expenditures were $31,615, producing an $803 deficit. For the Sewer Utility she reported collections of $52,472 against expenditures of $57,493, a $5,021 shortfall.

Lowe described payment and billing issues: four autopay transactions were returned due to incorrect account or routing numbers; Old National Bank charged the town $43 for January autopay processing. She said staff has contacted the affected customers and is updating well‑user fees based on affidavits approved by Aaron Enlow.

Lowe also reported two mass mailings — one to 61 well users and another to 550 sewer customers — at an estimated cost of about $500, and that she submitted the annual Video Franchise Fee Report to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission on time.

The council considered a request involving extreme residential water usage at 11214 N St Joseph Ave. Lowe presented two months of usage that produced sewer charges of $1,500.46 (57,700 gallons) and $8,347.92 (324,970 gallons). Sewer Superintendent Aaron Enlow confirmed the water did not enter the sewer system. The council voted to make an exception to its policy limiting one sewer adjustment per year; Cecil Poag moved, Ray Engler seconded, and the motion passed by a 4‑0 voice vote. The minutes record that the adjustment was granted but do not detail the exact billing credit amount applied.

Clerk‑Treasurer Lowe also noted receipt of a sewer tap payment from Jeff Hatfield for a new home to be accessed from Fleener Court. The council did not record further action on the tap payment during the meeting.