Minutes of September 8, 2020
1. Chairman Robert Hughey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the B.C. Ross Community Center in Makanda. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Robert Hughey; Treasurer Mike Williamsen; Water Supply Operator Ron Lada; District Secretary Karen Dunn; and Trustees Grace Brewer, Pat Brierton, Joseph Burrow, Kim Cole, John Dickson, and Paul Heern.
2. Professionals and visitors in attendance at the meeting were Mr. Mike Twomey, Attorney; Mr. Scott Hickam, CPA; and Ms. Lucille Burrow, District Customer.
3. The Board reviewed the minutes of the August 11, 2020, regular meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Burrow to accept the minutes as presented; seconded by Ms. Brewer and with (6) yes and (0) no votes, the minutes were approved.
4. The meeting opened with a presentation by Scott Hickman of the Financial Statements and Independent Auditor’s Report for the year ended December 31, 2019. Mr. Hickam opened with an introduction of himself to new members of the Board. He continued by reviewing 2019 revenue and rate increases, reimbursements for repair expenses, and water costs. Other topics discussed were assets and liabilities, net position vs. previous year, and depreciation, among others. Mr. Hickman went on by presenting charts illustrating these results. Upon completing his thorough presentation of the report, Mr. Hickam explained the benefits of and recommended that the Board take into consideration an amendment to increase the Depreciation limit. Conversation followed related to water loss and the practices of other water Districts. In closing, Mr. Hickam provided a comparison of statistics between BuncombePWD and other local water Districts. After discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Brierton to accept the 2019 Auditor’s Report as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Burrow and with (6) yes and (0) no votes, the motion carried.
After Mr. Hickam’s departure, members of the Board continued to discuss the recommendation to adjust the Depreciation value limit. A motion was made by Mr. Heern to increase the current Depreciation limit of $1,000.00 to above $2,500.00 effective January 1, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dickson and with (6) yes and (0) no votes, the amendment was approved.
5. Under the order of communications for September, the District Secretary reviewed the minimal changes to insurance coverage as outlined in the ICRMT 2020-2021 Renewal Application. After related discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Brewer to approve and submit the ICRMT Renewal Application as presented. Seconded by Ms. Cole and with (6) yes and (0) no votes, the motion was approved.
6.        No new business was presented at this time.
7. No new information was available related to the IEPA Loan Project.
The current upgrade to the High Tide Technologies communication system was discussed. The Water Supply Operation will be responsible for implementing the upgrade.
The current standing related to past due accounts was briefly discussed with no changes to current operating procedures.
8. The recent tests performed on the Master Meter and related results were discussed briefly with no additional action suggested at this time. Related to further discussion, Ms. Cole provided the Board with useful information pertinent to the operations of the Carbondale Laboratory and water quality.
9. Financials for July 2020 were presented and reviewed with brief discussion.
10. The District Secretary & Treasurer’s Report and the Accounts Payable Report for September 2020 were presented and followed by discussion. A motion was made by Mr. Burrow to accept the reports as presented and to pay the bills. The motion was seconded by Ms. Brierton and with (6) yes and (0) no votes, the motion carried.
11. The Water Supply Operator’s Report was reviewed with no discrepancies. Discussion followed related to water loss and efforts to locate leaks.
12. No additional public comments or questions were presented.
13. There was no move for an executive session.
14. There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Burrow to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Heern and with (6) yes and (0) no votes, the meeting closed.