Please note: This is an unofficial summary provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to represent the official board meeting minutes.
Timberon Water & Sanitation District – Meeting Recap
The board met on September 9 at the Lodge, with Chairman David Cruey calling things to order at 4:00 pm.
Wendy Case gave her manager’s report and it’s been another busy month. Two new meters were installed (with eleven more waiting) and crews had their hands full with about fourteen line breaks. Water production numbers came in at just under 2.9 million gallons from Well #1 and a little over 2.1 million from Well #2, adding up to 5.3 million gallons in August. Unfortunately, software issues kept them from reporting water loss, but IT is working on it.
Wendy also shared that the in-person part of the 2023–2024 audit went better than expected, and she’s hoping for a follow-up soon. On the less cheerful side, the District is still dealing with the recent Administrative Order and fines, but a settlement hearing has been requested and the agencies involved are willing to work with us on a solution.
The new 2025–2026 budget has been approved and will be posted on the website soon — Wendy thanked Rick, Arden, and JJ for their help with that. She reminded folks to send any community events to the office by the end of the month so they can go in the newsletter. Training for the new meter reader starts next week, with the goal of being ready for October reads. She also asked that the board discuss getting a cell phone for the office to help with on-call work and the two-step verification needed for orders. And on a high note — she congratulated Travis, who just earned his Level 2 Water Operator certification.
JJ Duckett read out the treasurer’s report, with balances across all accounts totaling well over $300,000, including about $167,000 in the USDA short-term asset account and $42,000 in F&S funds.
Ed Hardesty spoke on behalf of Rick McMullen, the Budget Committee Chair, who couldn’t attend. The budget has officially passed, and Rick has also volunteered to chair the Bylaws Committee. That group has already been meeting and working their way through the bylaws line by line. They’re less than halfway through, and their next meeting is set for September 26.
The board worked through a full slate of action items. They unanimously adopted two resolutions — one setting Facilities & Services charges, and another approving the mill tax levy for the coming fiscal year. They also approved twenty-one standby property liens totaling nearly $6,000, formally established the Bylaws Committee with Rick as chair, and supported Arden Schug’s idea to set up an informal Water Advisory Group rather than a formal committee.
Water system projects were a big focus. The board voted to put rehabilitation of three wells (Well #1 at the Water Plant, the Tee-Box Well, and the Fire Station Well) out for bid. They also approved using $10,000 from the restricted reserve fund to support the work. Finally, the General Manager was authorized to bring on a part-time or temporary maintenance employee to help get the building and grounds ready for the upcoming Sanitary Survey.
During public comment, Jeffrey Merrick said he was glad to see progress and hoped everyone could continue working together. There was also a lively exchange about Brownwood Road. The existing line there has been out of service for years, but a customer recently requested a meter. Some thought the line was over 1,000 feet and would need state approval, but TWSD field operator McAtee reported his GPS measurement showed 934 feet. He said there were two ways to do the replacement, both under the 1,000-foot limit, and the new line would terminate at the customer’s property line — the most cost-effective option. Chairman Cruey reminded everyone that since Brownwood Road property owners are subject to standby fees, the District is obligated to provide service when a meter is requested. Bonnie clarified that billing always checks standby accounts before a meter work order is issued.
Another resident, Steve, asked Ed Hardesty why he was running for the board again after saying previously he wouldn’t. Ed admitted he had said that before but changed his mind, and Chairman Cruey added that both of them decided to run again because they want to finish what they started. That discussion got heated, and Ed told Steve he’d be glad to explain his reasons privately after the meeting so he could do so without interruptions.
Chairman Cruey closed the meeting by reminding everyone of the District’s mission: providing clean drinking water to Timberon. He acknowledged the past challenges but noted the state has been supportive as the District works through older violations. He said it’s clear the state wants Timberon to succeed, not fail, and he gave credit to Wendy Case for keeping everyone moving in the right direction.
The meeting wrapped up at 5:00 p.m.