Town of Osgood Minutes

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
7:00 P.M.

Present at the meeting were Steve Wilhoit, John Hegge, Tammy Wilhoit, Linda Krinop, Norman Kappes, Jeff Volz, Chuck Gill, Beth Rumsey & Patch, Brenda & Tom Wetzler, Owen Menchhofer, Chris Lemen, Ed Newman, Gary Norman, Darlene Volk, Gene Eaton, Mary Ann Gay, Richard & Matt Hansen, Herman Strumpf, Tony Wood, Denton, Gutzwiller, Russell Smith, Steve Dieckman, Gerald Harmeyer, Sue Trent, Tammy Trent, Dan Beach, John Peetz, Melissa Menchhofer, Carroll Hooton, Ron Harlemert, Jason Hanson and Kim Menchhofer.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call – all present

Motion was made to waive the reading and adopt the pre-read minutes. Norman 1^st, Linda 2^nd

3 – ayes

The Public Hearing was opened for proposed Ordinance 2008-14 (Water Rate Increase). Steve Wilhoit gave a power point presentation explaining why Osgood needs to raise the rates. There has not been a rate increase for residential customers since 1998 and none for wholesale customers since 2003. The operation costs of the water plant have increased. The cost of chemicals have increased 48% since 2006, utility costs have increased 20% and we are required to have 24 hour coverage at the plant 365 days a year, which requires 5 full time employees and 1 part time employee. Currently the wholesale customers are receiving water cheaper than what it can be made for. The wholesale customers are purchasing 1,000 gallons of water at $2.85, when it takes $3.00 per 1,000 to be produced. In the past two years the water department has lost money. Due to the fact that 70% of Osgood’s water goes to wholesale customers, they contribute to the operation and maintenance requirements of the water plant. It was also explained that wholesale is defined as the sale of goods in large quantities as for resale by a retailer. The wholesale customers do receive a cheaper rate than the Osgood residents. Osgood residents would pay $4.68 per 1,000 gallons and the wholesale customers would pay $3.63 per 1,000 gallons. An example of November usages was given:

Osgood Water Plant pumped 15,708,022 gallons of water

Napoleon Water received 7,689,800 of those gallons.

Holton Water received 3,293,200 of those gallons.

Osgood received 4,725,022 gallons.

Mr. Wilhoit also stated that Osgood is very aggressive at obtaining grant money through the Reynolds Foundation, Rising Sun Regional Foundation and the Indiana Office of Rural Affairs, which helps all of Osgood’s customers. It was also explained to the rural water customers, that Osgood could not answer their questions on how much their bills would increase because we do not make the rural water corporation’s rates. Those questions are for the Napoleon and Holton Water Corporations.

Darlene Volk and Gene Eaton expressed their concerns for Napoleon Water. Owen Menchhofer from Holton Water read a letter from Linda Tieman concerning the increase and Herman Strumpf requested Council to delay their decision to another meeting so more people could attend.

Tom and Brenda Wetzler, Chris Lemen and Ed Newman wanted to know why the Osgood residents are paying more than the wholesale people are being charged.

Closed the hearing on the proposed Ordinance 2008-14 at 8:01 PM.

Motion was made to table and further review proposed Ordinance 2008-14 and schedule another meeting for December 23^rd at 7:00 PM. Norman 1^st, Linda 2^nd

3 – ayes

Osgood Wastewater has received the 2008 Southeastern Indiana Operators Association Class 2 plant of the year award.

Motion was made to appoint Tammy Wilhoit to the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission Board. Linda 1^st, Norman 2^nd

3 – ayes

A card was read aloud from Bob and Judy Damm wanting to express their gratitude to the members of the Osgood Council for making Osgood a good place to live. They especially wanted to thank Steve Wilhoit and his road crew for keeping the town looking so good.

Ed Newman – Ripley County Area Planning Commission did not meet in December.

Gary Norman wanted to thank Jeff Volz for 10 years of service.

Fire Department – Chris Lemen reported everything was ok.

Police Department – Marshall John Hegge reported that the police department has received a grant from the Ripley County Community Foundation in the amount of $7300 for Online Programming and a new office update. They have also began giving warnings to violators of the garbage ordinance. He has also looked at the 3 unsafe buildings, the one on Elm Street looked to be 80 to 85% complete, but the 2 on N. Buckeye doesn’t look like anything has been done.

Town of Osgood’s Organizational meeting has been set for January 8^th at 6:00 PM.

Congratulations to John Newhart for satisfactorily passing the requirements for certification as a Grade DSM Water Works Operator.

Claims signed

Meeting adjourned.

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