Although an election to dissolve the Barbee Lakes Conservancy District is scheduled for Dec. 10, it may either be delayed or canceled by a lawsuit pending in Circuit Court.

Area residents heard at Monday's board meeting that four people have asked for an official stay of the election. A hearing is set for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

Citizens also complained board members are confusing the dissolution issue. A letter sent with the official ballots is thought to be misleading and indicates dissolution of the conservancy means the end of any possible sewer plans.

Board member Dick Long said he resigned his position as president of the Barbee Lakes Property Owner's Association as of Nov. 14.

Long accused District Chairman Barry Hecker of misleading the association members, of not providing the proper figures for a sewer project and not upholding his oath of office.

"You have not followed the rules. You've bent everything you could," Long said. "And that's terrible, Barry, you would do something like that."

District Secretary Scott Fox clarified questions about the upcoming election.

Board member Don Harris was elected assistant secretary.

Three election clerks will be appointed by Hecker. The clerks are required to remain at the election place (the Barbee Conservation Building) during the entire process. Freeholders vote from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., all ballots will be counted after 9 p.m.

The secretary and assistant secretary will "check off" eligible property owners. The clerks will decide whether or not a voter is eligible if they are not on the master list.

Absentee votes will be opened to check off names on the master list of freeholders, but not counted, the day of the election.

Hecker said he talked to County Commissioner Brad Jackson about the district's funds. According to Hecker, Jackson polled commissioners Avis Gunter and Ron Truex and they supported placing the money in a set-aside account, if it is legally possible.

A local resident said the current district could be dissolved, but a petition to create a new conservancy would be started immediately.

"I'm not trying to start an argument," said board member Bart Brugh. "I hope it starts with the consent of the majority and not the special interests of the minority. That's left a bad taste in everyone's mouth.

"Not any one of us is against sewers."

That statement brought laughter from the people in attendance.

The board also:

• Heard the district was invited to participate in meetings regarding the establishment of a lake-specific residential area by the Area Plan Commission.

• Approved expenditures of $70,212 to CARR Development and two payments totaling $11,865 to Dodzick Engineering for a ongoing work on a sewer proposal.

• Heard from engineer Andy Dodzick that a grant from the Army Corps of Engineers could be available if U.S. Congressman Mark Souder supported the expenditure through Congress.

Dodzick said other funds were available through Rural Development or a state revolving fund to help low-income people with costs to hook onto the sewer line. [[In-content Ad]]