Meeting Minutes of November 12, 2025
The regular meeting of Buncombe Public Water District was called to order on November 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the District’s office located at 79 Wiley Ln, Makanda, Illinois.
Call to Order
Trustees Present: Hughey; Brewer; Dickson; Fiorino; Howell
Trustees Absent: Lamb
Also Present: Richard Howell; Alex Heidbreder; Sage Lintner; Tim Pohlman; Robert Baker; Lance Paszkieqicz; and Michael R. Twomey.
Chairman Hughey conducted the meeting.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD OCTOBER 8, 2025 made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Visitor, Customer, and Public Comments
A. Lance Paszieqicz:
Mr. Paszieqicz owns the cabins at the golf course. He was presented with all the options on replacing his existing one meter with various meters and was told he would need to contact a contractor for installation. He noted there are duplexes contained in the cabins themselves.
Chairman Hughey informed the customer the District will need separate meters because of leak potential and the requirement by the District for separate meters for each unit. Mr. Paszieqicz requested, pursuant to District ordinance, an exemption and will supply the same in writing to it.
After extensive discussion, it was determined that the District will review the situation and respond to the customer with options and potential cost.
B, Robert Baker:
Robert Baker was interviewed for the vacant Trustees position. He noted that he
thought he had already been appointed by the County Board. The district
disagrees with that assertion as it never had a chance to interview and appoint him.
He noted to the Board he would bring a business savvy to the District and his motivation to join the Board was to bring a difference of opinion and play devils advocate. When asked what changes he would like to bring to the Board he refused to comment.
Chairman Hughey informed him and the Board that over his 15 years on the Board that all applicants applied to the District first and then informed the County Board whether or not it recommends the application or not.
Mr. Baker also stated that he thought in solvency may be an issue. Mr. Baker was informed there was no issue with solvency of the District but that it’s just the number of customers that causes the high bills.
Mr. Hughey informed Mr. Baker that the District will reach out to the County Board for clarification.
C. Tim Pohlman:
Mr. Pohlman was also interviewed for the Trustees position. He noted that he went to the open meeting for the public in August and was impressed and began to understand the challenges faced by the District.
He noted he retired from the forest service a few years ago and has worked on lots of projects with utilities and municipalities crossing forest service land and is aware of the issues involved. He has worked with the public over the years in these types of matters and various other matters. His motivation for joining the Board is to volunteer his service and help in dealing with different people’s situations. He comes with no preconceived notion, and he would help with grant options.
After extensive Board discussion with Mr. Baker and Mr. Pohlman and extensive Board discussion amongst the Trustees, it was determined that the Board prefers the experience of Mr. Pohlman over Mr. Baker as it pertains to working with Districts and the community and other utilities in the granting of easements and acquiring grant applications.
MOTION TO RECOMMEND TIM POHLMAN TO THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE EXISITING OPEN TRUSTEE POSTION was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Old Business
A. Richard Howell ECWAG Update/Review:
Engineer Howell discussed with the Board the series of invoices submitted by Horner Shifrin to the District. Chairman Hughey discussed at length the charges for four easements and the cost associated with obtaining. Mr. Howell noted that Horner Schifrin wrote off some of the time. Chairman Hughes was also surprised by the additional engineer cost for moving the lines and the increase in engineer billable hours.
Engineer Howell explained to the Board that the design and preliminary engineering are set fees and that inspection and obtaining easements are on a hourly basis with a not to exceed amount.
It was pointed out to Mr. Howell that the project started late and the District absorbed substantial additional water loss cost.
The money that is remaining to be paid on the grant will be distributed when the government reopens. The balance of the grant will be delivered to the District. There will be approximately $4,903.50 available to the District from the grant money that was not used.
Engineer Howell presented Change Order #3 reducing the contract by $3,046.50. MOTION TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDER #3 was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
He also presented a final bill for S&W Line Contracting in the amount of $12,802.25. Mr. Howell recommends payment. MOTION TO PAY S&W LINE CONTRACTING THE AMOUNT OF $12,802.25 was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Howell. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Mr. Howell also presented a Horner Shifrin final bill on the project in the amount of $840.00. MOTION TO PAY HORNER SHIFRIN THE AMOUNT OF $840.00 was made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
It was noted that the pressure reducing station has been installed.
The District requested that in the future Mr. Howell make the invoices that are
going to be presented at the meetings available to the Board meetings no later than the Friday before the scheduled meeting date.
B. 2026 Budget:
Sage presented three options to the Trustees for review. The Board Trustees are to review and be prepared to act at the December meeting.
C. Work Truck:
The District purchased a 2018 Chevy Silverado work truck from Marion Chevrolet at a cost of $23,092.70. The milage is over 100,000 miles. It is a four wheel drive and it comes with a cover over the bed. MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE was made by Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Howell. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
New Business
A. 2026 Insurance:
Trustee Dickson reviewed all three options for cost and coverage. He recommends purchasing the insurance from Glatfelter, as amended. Glatfelter will remove flood insurance and subsidence insurance which will reduce the cost to $18,085.00. It will begin December 1, 2025. MOTION TO AWARD THE INSURANCE CONTRACT TO GLATFELTER AS RECOMMEDED BY TRUSTEE DICKSON AT THE COST OF $18,085.00 was made by Trustee Howell and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye. The Board would prefer to pay the premium quarterly if there are no additional charges.
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. He also discussed with the Board installing an ultra sonic meter for pump station #2, either inside or outside. Chairman Hughey prefers inside and Water Operator Heidbreder agrees.
MOTION TO PUCHASE AN ULTRA SONIC METER FOR PUMP STATION #2 AND INSTALL THE SAME INSIDE was made by Trustee Howell and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On roll call vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
C. Work Group 1 Ordinances:
Nothing presented.
D. Work Group 2 District Improvement:
A meeting has been scheduled for 10:30am on December 12th.
E. ROINC Report:
Sage presented a written report to the Board and placed of record with the Minutes.
It was reported to the Board that there was a District wide 10% water loss. The Trustees and everybody involved are extremely happy with that. It was also noted that the District may need to pull the pump in station #1 as it appears there may be a problem. Station #2 pump needs repair also. No Board action at this time on either.
MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY STAFF AND BOARD GROUP REPORTS was made by Trustee Brewer and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. 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 October 2025:
The District has been supplied with August and September financial report but not the October report.
C. 125% Report:
The 125% Report was included through September
D. Change in Account Balances Month:
Sage informed the Board there are three outstanding Bush Construction invoices that will be submitted.
E. Profit/Loss versus Actual:
Sage supplied to the District a profit loss statement through October with the actual versus budgeted figures.
F. Investments:
There is approximately $103,000.00 in certificates of deposit and $177,000.00 in T-bills.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY TREASURER REPORT AND FINANCIAL REPORT made by Trustee Fiorino and seconded by Trustee Brewer. 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 Dickson and seconded by Trustee Fiorino. On voice vote, motion passed with all Trustees voting aye.
Meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.