THE DISTRICT'S BUSINESS
The Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District is an independent municipal corporation. It's purpose is to provide for the collection, treatment and disposal of sewage inside and outside the district.
It is governed by a Board of seven (7) Trustees who are appointed by a committee made up of the three (3) White County, Indiana Commissioners and the Township Trustee from Liberty, Monon and Union Townships. The only requirement to be a candidate for the sewer district Trustee position is to reside in White County, Indiana.
The Trustees serve for a term of four (4) years; provided, however, no Trustee shall serve more than two (2) consecutive four (4) year terms. All Trustee vacancies occurring on the Board shall be promptly filled for the unexpired term of the Trustee leaving the Board.
The Trustees elect their officers annually. Their terms of office are as defined in Section 105 of the By-Laws and Rules of Procedure.
The Board of Trustees, in the conduct of their business, have certain rights, powers and duties as outlined in the Indiana Code 13-26-1-1. They are further guided by the Open Door Law (IC 5-14-1.5), the Access to Public Records Law (IC 5-14-3-1) and by the By-Laws and Rules of Procedure, adopted by the Trustees. The Sewer Use Ordinance and the Sewer Rate Ordinance, also developed and adopted by the Trustees, are crucial to the everyday management and administration of the sewer district. For a more in-depth look at these important tools of our business see The Heart of Our Business web page. If all else fails, the most recent edition of Roberts Rules of Order governs the conduct of all meetings and Public Hearings.
The Board of Trustees meet on the second (2nd) and fourth (4th) Tuesday of each month except in November and December when they only meet on the second (2nd) Tuesday of each month. All meetings are held in the lower level (basement) conference room in the White County, Indiana Courthouse building and start at 12:30 PM. These meetings are open to the public and citizen attendance is encouraged. The length of the meetings vary in time averaging however about two (2) hours.
The President chairs the Board meetings following a prepared agenda that is posted at the entrance to the location of the meeting. Minutes of the meetings are prepared by the Secretary and are available at the first floor Auditor's Office for public inspection and copying. Copying charges as authorized by law will be assessed and collected.
The Board of Trustees retain through contractural agreements the services of an Attorney, Engineering firm, Rate Consultant, Bond Counsel and other specialists as required to assist the Board in carrying out its mandate. Also, the Trustees work with and maintain an important relationship with a number of County, State and Federal Agencies. Some of these agencies are:
| Build Indiana Fund | Funding |
| Indiana Department of Commerce | Funding |
| Environmental Protection Agency | Regulatory/Funding |
| Indiana Department of Environmental Management | Regulatory |
| Indiana Department of Natural Resource | Governmental |
| Indiana State Department of Health | Regulatory |
| Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Commission | Funding |
| Rural Development | Funding |
| State Revolving Fund | Funding |
| White County Commissioners | Governmental |
| White County Council | Funding |
| White County Health Department | Regulatory |
Under current law, the Board of Trustees may authorize compensation of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) per day to members of the Board for each day or major part of a day devoted to the work of the district. Up until January 2000, the Trustees have chosen to remain a volunteer Board forgoing any payment for their work. The use of a personal vehicle traveling to and from out of town meetings is reimbursable but here again the Trustees have waived payment. All meal expense incurred has been paid by the Trustees.
Since the Sewer District does not have an office or telephone service, some reimbursement for long distance telephone calls, postage and various office supplies has been paid.
The above mentioned decisions and contributions made by the Board members have been significant and necessary. Since the reactivation of the Board of Trustees in April, 1994, more than $40,000.00 in potential expense has been waived or assumed by the Board members. This commitment to the Sewer District and its mandate has been essential in getting a new sewer project going and meeting the challenges inherit in such a project.
On January 25, 2000, the Board of Trustees adopted a motion calling for the payment of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) per day to members of the Board for each day or major part of a day devoted to the work of the district. (IC 13-26-4-7)
If you desire to communicate with a member of the Board about The District's
Business, e-mail us.
If a more personal communication via telephone is desired, see our Board
of Trustees page for the telephone number of the Trustee desired.