Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2025

BUNCOMBE PUBLIC WATER DISTRICT

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting to be held at district office

79 Wiley lane, makanda

            The regular meeting of Buncombe Public Water District was called to order on December 10, 2025 at 6:05 p.m. at the District’s office located at 79 Wiley Ln, Makanda, Illinois.

Call to Order

Trustees Present:  Hughey;  Brewer; Fiorino; Lamb; Howell; Baker

Trustees Absent:  Dickson

Also Present:  Richard Howell; Alex Heidbreder; Sage Lintner; and Michael R. Twomey.

Chairman Hughey conducted the meeting.

            MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 12, 2025 made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Fiorino.  On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.  

Visitor, Customer, and Public Comments

A.        Richard Howell:

            Engineer Richard Howell was present to discuss a letter sent to the Board dated December 9, 2025, with attachments, as it pertained to grant funds used on Church Street replacement.  It was noted that the total grant was $145,000.00 and that there will be no money towards loss of income because of the continuing leak for the District.  A pressure release valve was replaced at a cost of approximately $5,000.00.

            Mr. Howell reported to the Board that the Makanda Road application to IEPA has been submitted and will probably be March before any decision is rendered on funding. 

Old Business

A.        ECWAG Final Payout:

            See comments above. 

B.        2026 Budget:

            A draft budget was presented to the Board for consideration.  Various options

            were presented as it pertains to salary review.  The 2026 draft budget includes raising the monthly depreciation reserve from $2,700.00 per month to $5,000.00 per month.  This is made possible because of water loss control.  Sage informed the Board that a new metering system is in the near future for the District and the cost is currently around $600,000.00. 

            After Board discussion, MOTION TO APROVE 2026 BUDGET, SUBJECT TO SALARY REVIEW, was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer.  On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye. 

New Business

A.        2026 Meeting Schedule:

            Sage presented a 2026 meeting schedule to the Board for review/approval.  The Board will be meeting on the second Wednesday of each month.  MOTION TO APPROVE MEETING DATES was made by Trustee Lamb and seconded by Trustee Howell.  On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye. 

B.        Review of “Commercial” Definition in Ordinances:

            Chairman Hughey brought this matter to the Board for review.  It was brought to his attention by a customer that commercial could be interpreted in various manners.  This especially has an effect when there has been a leak and the Board considers a credit.  This matter will be discussed more at the January meeting. 

C.        Employee Annual Review:

            Sage and Alex excused themselves for a Board discussion.  Sage is currently at $23.50 per hour and Alex is at $22.50 per hour.  Each employee receives 15 days paid time off in addition to holiday scheduled closings.

            The cost of living index for 2025 was 2.8%.  There were 130 hours of overtime for 2025, mostly Water Operator Heidbreder.

            Board discussion held and determination made that a minimum raise of cost of living should be considered. 

            A health savings plan that the employee funds or AFLAC should be considered as potential benefits. 

            MOTION TO RAISE EACH EMPLOYEE 3% was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer.  On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye, with the exception of Trustee Baker who abstained. 

            Effective January 1, 2026 Water Operator Heidbreder will be paid $23.18 per hour and Office Manager Litner will be paid $24.21 per hour. 

            Board discussion held concerning Christmas bonus.  MOTION FOR A CHRISTMAS BONUS OF $400.00 EACH BE GIVEN TO THE EMPLOYEES was made by Trustee Howell and seconded by Trustee Fiorino.  On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye. 

            After determination on how the Board wished to proceed, Alex and Sage were invited to come back in and were informed of the increase and that the Board had given them each a $400.00 Christmas bonus.  

City of Carbondale Water Supply

A.        None.  

Monthly Staff and Board Group Reports

A.        Office Manager Lintner Report:

            Office Manager Lintner presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.  

B.        WSO Heidbreder Report:

            Alex Heidbreder presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes

C.        Work Group 1 Ordinances:

            Nothing presented.  

D.        Work Group 2 District Improvement:

            A meeting is scheduled for December 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.  

E.         ROINC Report:

            Sage presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.  The District had a District wide water loss of 10% last month.

              MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY STAFF AND BOARD GROUP REPORTS was made by Trustee Lamb and seconded by Trustee Howell.  On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.

Monthly Treasurer/Accounting/Financial Reports

A.        Spreadsheet of Bills to be Paid:

            Office Manager Lintner presented to the Board a written list of bills to be paid. 

B.        Amy Financial Report:

            The District has been supplied with October and November financial report.

C.        125% Report:

            The 125% Report was included.    

D.        Change in Account Balances Month:

            Change in account balances report was included. 

E.         Investments:

            Sage reported to the Board that there is currently $279,662.29 in CDs and Treasury Bills with a small amount of cash currently invested for the District.   

            MOTION TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY TREASURER REPORT AND FINANCIAL REPORT made by Trustee Howell and seconded by Trustee Lamb.   On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.

Payment of Bills

A.        A schedule of all bills was presented to the Board for review.  MOTION TO PAY ALL BILLS made by Trustee Brewer and Seconded by Trustee Fiorino.  On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.

Additional Trustee Comments or Questions

A.        None 

Executive Session

A.        None.

Motion for Adjournment

            MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING made by Trustee Howell and seconded by Trustee Fiorino.  On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.

Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.