Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

At the regular meeting of the Ripley County Council, Tuesday, May 16, all council members were present except Dephane Smith. Ripley County Commissioners, Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz and Lawrence Nickell also were present.

Mike Wolff, representing the Sunman Regional Sewer District, approached the council to provide information on the newly formed entity. Wolff stressed that the sewer district is not looking for financial help. The goal, he said, is to create a district that can apply for grants and low-interest loans.

Currently, the town of Sunman is the physical agent for grant applications, and the Ripley County Commissioners would be the petitioners with IDEM. Wolff went on to say “We’d like your partnership and agreement so this can move forward.”

Meetings will be held to determine by-laws. Ripley County Commissioners, Ripley County Council and the town of Sunman would each appoint one member to the governing board. The public also will have an impact on the by-laws.

Council members asked if all property owners in the district would be forced to hook into the new sewer lines. That has been extremely controversial in other sewer districts. Sewer representatives stated that the by-laws will allow for some exceptions where, for example, people have newer septic systems.
Another concern the council expressed was whether individuals would have to pay for the pipe that will have to be laid. Sewer representatives stated that easements would be purchased from affected people.
The council passed a resolution to approve the formation of the Sunman Regional Sewer District.

In other business, Councilman Edward Armbrecht reported that the Economic Development office is still in search of a new director. Armbrecht said that they should know more after the May 25 meeting.
Robert Reiners of the Ripley County Commissioners reported that the EMS flat-rate billing is going well. It is expected to generate $100,000 to be added to the county general fund. Reiners added, “The billing is helping the squads out also.”

The meeting adjourned promptly at 8:00 p.m.