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County backs expansion of Helmsburg Regional Sewer District as commissioners debate Bean Blossom coordination
Summary
Brown County commissioners voted to support expanding the Helmsburg Regional Sewer District after lengthy updates from Helmsburg and Brown County RSD representatives. The resolution passed by a 2–1 margin amid discussion of interlocal agreements, grant limits and rate impacts for Bean Blossom and Lake Lemmon areas.
The Brown County Board of Commissioners voted to support a county resolution endorsing expansion of the Helmsburg Regional Sewer District, a move proponents said will help deliver sewer service to parts of Bean Blossom and neighboring communities.
Kyle Myers, vice president/treasurer of the Helmsburg Regional Services Board, told the commission that bids for a planned 14,000‑gallon‑per‑day treatment plant came in higher than anticipated and that state revolving-fund (SRF) grant limits constrained the district’s funding options. "We're kind of maxed out on the amount of grant funding they can give us," Myers said, adding the district is reworking plans to reduce costs and expects to rebid with the goal of starting construction next spring.
Adrian O’Shea, president of the Helmsburg Regional Sewer District, urged collaboration and said the district is "debt free" and believes it has the resources and experience to extend service to areas such as Bean Blossom. Brown County Regional Sewer District leadership (Matt Hamlin) recommended pursuing interlocal agreements and accounting frameworks that would commit flow and allow Helmsburg to lower per‑customer costs. Hamlin said a short-term focus on "easy win" pockets, such as parts of Morrison Road, could add customers without triggering immediate plant expansion.
Commissioners and RSD representatives discussed document‑sharing limits around engineering prints and whether those materials are public record; legal and procurement constraints were cited. The board also reviewed the history of prior planning efforts, SRF participation requirements (an 85% participation threshold was referenced) and earlier attempts to site and fund sewer projects in Bean Blossom and Lake Lemmon.
After debate, a resolution (2026‑05‑06) supporting Helmsburg RSD expansion was moved and seconded. Roll-call voting recorded two yes votes and one no, and the resolution passed. The recorded outcome instructs county staff to transmit the resolution and to continue coordinating with the RSDs and state agencies on grant and permitting steps.
The commissioners emphasized that county endorsement does not change SRF or IDEM requirements and that any actual service expansions must meet state permitting and funding conditions. County staff and RSD representatives said they planned additional meetings to draft interlocal terms and share technical documentation as permitted.
