David Doctor proposed the development of a regional sewer district for the Barbee Lakes area during the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday.

Unlike a conservancy district, which was dissolved in the Barbee Lakes area by a vote of freeholders six months ago, a regional sewer district is a local unit of government.

Doctor said the need for a regional sewer district and installation of sanitary sewers exists because of inadequate, failing and failed septic systems.

"Within the Barbee Lakes area, many improved properties have no record of what type of septic system originally was installed when the property was first developed," he said. "In addition, many properties operate on what is known to be inadequate, undersized septic systems that do not meet county or Indiana State Department of Health standards for septic systems."

Doctor said the county department of health only has records on 50 percent of the septic systems around the Barbee Lakes.

"We currently have a few cottages and at least one commercial business on holding tanks because their systems have failed. New systems cannot be installed because of small lot sizes and/or soil conditions. It is a known fact that many of the older systems still use a 55-gallon drum or a rusting steel tank."

Doctor cited flood levels, a J.F. New diagnostic study, a 2001 Indiana State Environment report and a 2001 Tippecanoe Watershed Restoration report. They all indicate a sewer system would reduce potential health risks posed by inadequate septic systems and improved quality of life.

Doctor said a regional sewer district board would have seven appointed trustees: two from the county council, two from the county commissioners, one from the Tippecanoe Township Advisory board, one from the county health department and one from the town of North Webster.

Doctor said North Webster is still interested in treating sewage from the Barbee Lakes chain.

Background studies are complete, a preliminary engineering plan is 95 percent complete and a draft petition to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management is ready, Doctor said. The county holds approximately $305,000 from the conservancy district, which Doctor asked to be applied to the district.

IDEM would hold public hearings on the proposed district.

Funding would come from grants, low-interest loans, tap-on fees and user fees.

The commissioners voted to support the plan.

Doctor presented the proposal before the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission this morning.

Lawyer Chris Walther approached the commissioners regarding online "discount" travel agencies, saying these companies are collecting innkeeper taxes and not forwarding the full amount to the county.

Walther said he could file a civil suit against the businesses on behalf of the county. He said the online companies buy a group of rooms from a hotel at a reduced rate. The customer makes an online purchase and pays the tax levy at the full rate of a room rental, which the company keeps.

Walther was asked to talk to Convention, Visitor and Recreation Commission and the CVB Inc. regarding the lawsuit. The commission collects and distributes the innkeeper's tax.

Commissioners approved the Syracuse Comprehensive Plan, with a few minor adjustments, as presented by Jeff Noffsinger, Syracuse town manager.

The board also:

• Heard from several non-profit organization representatives and their funding requests for 2007. The county is obliged to fund mental health services, as provided by the Cardinal Center; maintain the Old Jail Museum, because it is a county property; and have an animal control program as provided by the Animal Welfare League.

The commissioners will review the requests and forward them to the county council for final approval.

Cardinal Center Executive Director Jane Greene asked for $105,688 ($100,683 was received in 2006): $16,060 for the head start program ($14,678 in 2006); $65,510 for community living ($63,602 in 2006); and $15,118 for the Kosciusko Area Bus Service ($14,678 in 2006).

The Animal Welfare League is requesting $72,000. In 2006 the group received $67,810.

The Historical Society, which oversees the Old Jail Museum, requested $25,000 and received $21,850 in 2006.

Other organizations and their requests are: Sus Amigos, $9,000 ($7,725 in 2006); the Council on Aging, $35,000 ($30,823 in 2006); Kosciusko Development Inc., $33,250 ($33,250 in 2006); Home Health Care, $47,500 ($40,000 in 2006); 4-H Council, $50,159 ($43,808 in 2006); Arrowhead RC&D did not request a specific amount and received $475 in 2006; and the Beaman Home, $35,000 ($30,956 in 2006).

• Approved to rezone 13.84 acres from an agricultural district to a commercial district as requested by Worthington Ag Parts. The property is on the north side of CR 600N and west of Ind. 15 in Plain Township.

Area Plan Commission Director Dan Richard said an outline of zoning recommendations for Ind. 15, from U.S. 30 to Leesburg, would be ready for review this fall.

County commissioners are Brad Jackson, Avis Gunter and Ron Truex. [[In-content Ad]]