Franklin County Sewer Board authorizes billing process and website as Brookville agreement moves forward

The Franklin County Sewer Board on July 8, 2026, voted to authorize the county treasurer and auditor to work with contractor Jane Klinky to develop billing and accounting procedures tied to the Town of Brookville’s sewer service agreement and approved a dedicated Sewer Board website and email address.

The move follows receipt of a check and a copy of the town’s sewer service agreement. “The check has to be deposited with the treasurer,” a committee member said, and the treasurer will need to open a separate bank account for the sewer department and reconcile any direct deposits so vendor, auditor and treasurer records match.

The board approved a motion to authorize the treasurer and auditor to coordinate with Klinky on billing and to put the agreed process into her contract for later board approval. Jeff Cooks made the motion; it was seconded and the motion carried. The board then voted to authorize the auditor to establish a Sewer Board email address and website; that motion also carried.

Why it matters: the project will connect roughly 40 houses, and the committee cited a capacity fee of $3,565 per house. If the county finances capacity fees and remits monthly payments to the town, the county may cover shortfalls and could file liens on homes that fall behind, officials said.

Residents raised concerns during Derek Kolb’s agenda item. Kolb asked that the Sewer Board website include clear contact information for emergencies and maintenance and urged the board to clarify liability language in the service agreement. “It’s geared more towards protecting your liability, and nothing towards the residents,” Kolb said, arguing the agreement does not clearly say where a homeowner’s liability ends and the utility’s begins.

Board members responded that, under the plan discussed earlier in the project, the main service line would be handled by the sewer department up to the curb stop of the home and everything inside the curb stop into the residence is the homeowner’s responsibility. “Anything that is outside the curb stop in the main line is the responsibility of the board,” the Chair said.

Kolb also raised concerns about the billing hierarchy in the service agreement, saying a financed capacity-fee payment could become immediately due if one payment is missed and that reconnection fees (cited in the discussion as about $850) plus liens could place homeowners at risk of losing their homes. He asked the board to consider a grace period and a grievance process for billing disputes. “I would ask that you would not make that due immediately,” Kolb said.

The Chair said the county can consult legal counsel to consider language changes such as a grace period before the full balance becomes due, noting the current agreement is largely boilerplate. Board members also said autopay and direct-deposit to the treasurer’s account will be preferred, though paying by check at the treasurer’s office will remain an option.

Board staff clarified governance and fiscal responsibility: the Sewer Board operates under authority granted by an interlocal agreement with the regional sewer district, but the county remains the fiscal body for financial liability. One staff member summarized, in part, that the board has operational authority while the county is responsible for financing.

The board approved minutes for meetings on June 10 and June 24, 2026, after motions and seconds; votes were recorded as "aye" and motions carried. The meeting adjourned after a final motion to do so.

Actions at a glance: - Motion: authorize treasurer and auditor to work with contractor Jane Klinky on accounting and billing. Mover: Jeff Cooks. Second: Jerry Wendell. Outcome: approved (motion carries). - Motion: authorize auditor to establish a Sewer Board website and email for Franklin County Sewer Board. Mover: Jeff Cooks. Second: Jerry Wendell. Outcome: approved (motion carries). - Motion: approve minutes 06/10/2026. Outcome: approved. - Motion: approve minutes 06/24/2026. Outcome: approved. - Motion: adjourn. Outcome: approved.

Next steps: staff will work with the treasurer, auditor and Jane Klinky to define the billing process, consult counsel about late-payment language and finalize contract language for a future board vote.