Lakeland Regional Sewer District had much to discuss at Thursday night’s meeting at the North Webster Community Center. Unfortunately, discussing seemed to be the only thing board members could do at the time.

After their seven-year, multi-million dollar project bids came in over budget, LRSD has been left scrambling to find funds to make the project a go. A total of $4.1 million, to be exact.

The board approved a motion to pay its bills for the month, totaling a little more than $51,000. “I’d like to discuss this more. This is a major step,” stated board treasurer Mike DeWald. The board hesitated on this seemingly simple decision, because this month’s bills take approximately one-third of the $2.5 million left of their starting loan from Lake City Bank. All but $150,000 has been used in legal fees and the design process, specific expenditures not provided.

“If we continue to average this expense for the next three months, we are going to eat up this band money,” said board member Bob Sanders. If the project falls through without the additional funding LRSD is seeking from the USDA, the district will be forced to file bankruptcy, as it have little of the money left and no assets to show for it. “Until we get any additional funding, we can’t move forward,” said Board President Jim Haney.

LRSD’s legal team, represented by Andy Boxberger, promised his diligence in speaking with U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly and U.S Rep. Marlin Stutzman, along with various levels of the USDA to ensure the funding becomes available.

The board finally had some results to show for the efforts in creating a tentative rate ordinance. In February 2013, the board used non-residential rate ordinances from other districts as a reference on how to charge local campgrounds, restaurants and other non-residential properties.

Campgrounds were a main concern of the board, due to the large amount of them in the Lakeland area. The board discussed the pros and cons of flow rate charges versus equivalency charges. Essentially, a flow rate would allow metered sewage to be paid on a monthly basis based on usage and determined fees. This would be the most beneficial for campgrounds and businesses, but less profitable for the district. Equivalency rates are based on peak usage, most of which will fall in the month of July, according to the board. The board agreed there would need to be a year time period (at least) in order to collect historical data and keep charges “true.”

In other business, the board approved a motion to amend an agreement with Umbaugh and Associates to change its service costs from $45,000 to up to $58,000, based on the increased time involvement with the grinder project.

When the board opened the meeting to public comment, Sechrist Lake resident John Hidy had much to say, but not much the board wanted to hear. When Hidy brought up holding additional public meetings in the summer, many board members began speaking among themselves or snickering. Board member Bob Sanders indicated to Hidy the time to complain had passed. “You want to listen to them complain, and we’re already down the road on that,” said a visibly agitated Sanders.

LRSD advised a letter had been sent to all residents in August 2014 to inform them about the upcoming changes.