BCRSD Sewer Project: Phase 1 Division 1. About 180 potential customers.

Customers started receiving their letters and instructions.  Not surprising that there is immediate opposition that was posted by Jacob Adams at Brown County Matters (public) Brown County Refreshed (private) and Brown County Chatter (private).

The plan for all of Phase I – which would include when and where service will be provided, is not available.

• • The original map of Phase I is available at the BCRSD website. Check the posting date.

2024 Brown County Regional Sewer  District (BCRSD) Board Members: Mike Leggins(President), Clint Studabaker (Vice President), Richard Hall (Secretary), newest board member – Steve Lngbeen (at-large).

IDEM. Administrative oversight of the BCRSD falls under the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Finances reviews by the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF).

• • “A regional district is an independent local government entity … Decisions about forming new districts are made at the local level. IDEM’s administrative role is to ensure districts are formed according to the legal and technical requirements specified in IC 13-26.”

County Oversight. Board members are appointed by the commissioners and council. The president of the Commissioners is Jerry Pittman. The President of the Council is Gary Huett. Both of these individuals refused to direct the BCRSD to present the BCRSD Strategic Wastewater Plan and Watershed Study at a public meeting. This plan was developed without any public meetings where citizens could provide input. They did post the video presentation on their website.

Internal Controls. Due to their refusal to answer questions about their strategic plan and watershed study, I sent a letter to the governor, state and federal elected officials,  and the USDA Office of Inspector General questioning the adequacy of their internal controls in approving this project.

Legislative Change. It is most likely that addressing the internal control issue will require some changes in state legislation.  For example, the state does not allow county Health Departments to develop septic system-related standards that exceed state standards. A review of new standards is done by a Technical Review Panel.  Yet, county Regional Sewer Districts (RSD) can identify new standards and methods.  Additional Information:  Indiana: Internal Controls – Request for Review – State and Federal

The purpose of internal controls is to help ensure the effective and efficient use of tax dollars and to help prevent waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.  The value of an internal control policy and program is usually unknown at the county level.  Internal controls are the actions that need to be taken to prevent mission failure.

Jan 21, 2024. Copy of the letter I received from a customer. Not included is the satellite image of their property. The mailing included a return envelope, full size, $1.11 stamp.

• •  BLN Letter minus Maps r1

Jan 19, 2024. A formal request was submitted to the BCRSD for a copy of the names (180) of the customers in Phase 1, Division 1.

Jan 11, 2024.  Formal Request for a copy of the letter sent to the customers, Phase 1, Division 1.

The BCRSD had a copy of the letter at their meeting on Jan 11 but Studabaker (Board VP) directed them not to give me a copy. The rationale was that they did not want me to post before their customers received it. The logic of the delay escapes me. Even though they can provide me the info now, they have 30 days.

If I do not receive the info within this timeframe, I file a formal complaint with the State which gives them another 30 days. I’ve had to go to the State before to get information from the BCRSD.