Tipton Utility Service Board approves updated sewer-use ordinance

The Tipton Utility Service Board voted to approve Resolution 2026-01, adopting an updated sewer-use ordinance recommended by consultant Matt Smith of Strand Associates.

Matt Smith told the board the redlined draft reconciles the ordinance with the city nd the state permit framework and addresses industrial dischargers. "You have a sewer use ordinance that's that governs, how, you know, anybody connecting to the sewer, you know, what they can put down and drain and all that, and that's especially important for your industrial users, of which you have 2 permitted industrial users, Park 100 Foods and Batesville 205, which used to be DC coders," Smith said. The changes consolidate separate West Service Area limits to reflect a single wastewater treatment plant and correct language and penalties to match state administrative code.

Board members asked about proposed criminal penalties and local limit studies; Jim said the board and consultant pushed back on adding criminal penalties and that a local limit study is not being pursued now given the town's two industrial users. Jim added the enforcement response guide was edited to match the revised ordinance so compliance schedules and civil penalties are aligned. The Chair moved the resolution, a second was recorded and the board voted 'aye'; the chair declared the motion carried. The board said it will seek final clearance from IDEM before presenting the ordinance to Tipton City Council for adoption.