Sewer district approves budget

Jay County Regional Sewer District approved its 2016 budget Monday evening.
Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman also brought up sewer costs at the meeting.
The $52,160 budget includes money for the purchase of two pumps to have on hand in case a pump needs replaced. Pumps cost about $2,400 each, and the district may choose to purchase just one and delay purchase of the other until the first is used.
Board member Ralph Frazee said three or four pumps were purchased last year.
Geesaman visited the board to ask about a difference in sewage costs. Portland area residents served by the sewer district pay an average of $26.54 a month — less than the $44.95 paid by homeowners outside Portland’s city limits who use the city’s system rather than the sewer district’s.
The board pointed to differences in maintenance and bookkeeping costs, as well as usage. Additionally, they said the homes served by the district are closer to the wastewater treatment plant than many homes in the city.
In other business, Frazee, Parr, Randy Mann and Don Denney, absent Roy Bunch, Phil Ford and Joe Somers:
•Approved claims totaling $6,281.37.
•Extended its maintenance contract with Guy Tressler Excavating for another year.