18 December 2025 Dearborn County Regional Sewer District Meeting Notes

 

18 December 2025 Dearborn County Regional Sewer District Meeting Notes

Board present:

Steve Renihan President County Commissioners 12-31-2027

Doug Baer Treasurer  County Board of Health 12-31-2027 

Brett Fehrman VP & Secretary City of Aurora 12-31-2025 

Jeff Bittner Board  County Council 12-31-2026 

Russell Beiersdorder Board County Commissioners 12-31-2025

Jeff Stenger Board  County Council 12-31-2028

ABSENT: Steward Cline Board  County Commissioners 12-31-2025 

Board Attorney - Frank Kramer

Also present: Christy of Hrezo Engineering and Commissioner Duane Bischoff, Meinders and Neyer.

Renihan read the Public Access Statement as legally required.

Minutes: December 4th Minutes Approved

Treasurers Report: TABLED till Doug Baer reviews it during the meeting as this is the year end meeting. 

Public Comment: Meeting on January 8 is only an executive session to interview candidates before Jan 15. 

Then regular meeting on Jan 15th.  

Project Updates: Christy - lots of snow and rain slowing construction down a little bit. IDEM issued a comment period till the end of January. Nothing concerning in their report. 

Guilford- Jeff Meinders poured building floor and equipment pads too. Ordering equipment for Dillsboro and Guilford. They will take board action on the January 15th meeting. 

Dillsboro- Jeff has worked out equipment at Dillsboro. There is a change order for this. Kramer has to look this over too. It’s about $30,000. This is for sampler. Meinders said- They are buried by existing pipe and meters is there and dumping into small trough that existing line dumps into. Our pipe will be higher than theirs to prevent cross contamination. Reworking how to get ours to set beside theirs.There is a flow pacer- which can detect whether one or two meters are running. The sampler and meter tie together.  Using the same brand meter as Dillsboro -only in a smaller size. Cost was $32,083.66. Approved. So Meinders can order it. Doug Baer is putting this under engineering. 

Regarding the PER and Asset management plan and Christy has been in contact with Steve Brock on this. 

High Ridge WWTP - Doug Price not here- no issues reported. Blowers ordered- need serial numbers etc for Christy. She also is considering a change on orientation for the expansion on High Ridge to make this work better for access. This will have to extend the wall. Meinders has cleared this out in the past. 

Christy needs DCRSD Asset Management Plan to be updated with serial numbers etc. This has to be done by March for submittal for grants and the state revolving fund. She has a plan for getting this done. PER- Preliminary Engineering Report- has to be in this. This will actually help double income to get the High Ridge Expansion done to service the area.  

New Business: Steward Cline did summary in emails on 3 RFPs received - to discuss at executive session on Jan 8th.

Brett Fehrman- reported 275% increase in rates for Crossroads is being requested with OUCC per email he received for 4,000 gal. Our rate is about $88 for that same gal amount. Board members tell people that it is NOT our CTA- not our rates. Serenity Ridge customers might be affected by this. Our fee to those customers is a fixed $18. As they are in our district.

Renihan says we need to get capacity. Fehrman- In 16 years we have a LOW rate increase- Crossroads is huge increase.  

Office Update: Kelly just wanted board to cash their checks so she can balance at end of year.  

Claims: Baer- wants to accept for the approved change orders that were approved on November and Dec 4. Change order $102,246.89 bridge  and includes $37,000 etc. These are all under  construction in the records for Baer.  He needs to move $110,000 out of contingency to construction. This is within the Guilford Account. Approved by Board 

Baer- we are in the legal account for the RR issues at Guilford that Kramer has encountered. Approved to move $12,000 plus $3,000 for legals on Guilford. Total $15,000.

Baer - Lake Dildear account- $69,000 in contingency and needs $33,000 to be moved from that under construction. Approved.

Baer- We have not taken any money out of contingency money for county. Just collecting interest there. Agreed that is a good idea to keep separate. When we go for grants - need to keep spreadsheet accurate. 

CLAIMS- Baer - $7278.53 normal operating. Approved 

Baer- Lake Dildear construction costs -$9522.80 Approved

Baer- Guilford construction costs- $100,240.95 Approved.

Discretion of the Board: Exec session Jan 8 @5 pm to discuss RFP. Excited they got 3 responses. 

3 Appointments- They will recommend that the 3 commissioner appointments be reappointed and also that Aurora reappoint Fehrman ( longest serving board member.)

Wants board members to think about serving still or not. Jan 15 is officer election. 

Special thanks to Kelly and the board members.

Per Meinders- Hoosier Hills water charges 50 cent per meter per month, they will bill DCRSD quarterly.

Chris Mueller- asked about who Anthony Smart (DCRC Attorney) had talked to regarding the money that DCRC had requested in the past for the sewer line for the Whitewater Mills project and West Harrison TIF. Anthony Smart reported to DCRC that the DCRSD had no intention to ask DCRC for TIF money so they did; t have to worry about that. [NOTE: See previous posting on this blog with a short video of that report to DCRC.] 

A 30 minute discussion with the DCRSD Board and their attorney followed. It was evident that the Board had not discussed it prior to Steve Renihan talking to their Attorney Frank Kramer and then speaking to Anthony Smart. 

Adjourn: 7:00 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

17 December 2025 Dearborn County Redevelopment Special Meeting Notes

 

17 December 2025 Dearborn County Redevelopment Special Meeting Notes

Present: Jim Deaton, Chairman, Dennis Kraus,Jr.,Tom Tepe, Trevor Bischoff, Jordan Hoffman, Jim Mansfield,Doug Baker.

ABSENT: Daryl Cutter (non- voting school board member)

Also present: Sue Hayden, county administrator and minute taker, Connie Fromhold, Auditor and DCRC treasurer.

ABSENT: Anthony Smart, attorney.

Title VI statement read by Deaton as legally required.

Deaton said one issue had developed and he wanted to take care of it. Board agreed to allow people to speak again tonight. 

Jackie Randolph- Hon Road- She is against this- moved out here to enjoy peace and quiet. Ramrodded it thru without telling people about it. Kind of like the county did with the rezoing of people’s land without listening to people. She compare it to West Chester with TIFs and see what they get out there. 

Rhett Dennerline-  is here to share information. I agree we should be civil. Replacement theory- SEIReadI- in 2021- repeats it over and over that they want to increase our population. It is all about diversity, equity, and inclusion, etc. They see this as a problem. It is a way to destroy the people’s culture. The weakness of this area is low cultural diversity.  Resistance to change is the threat to this plan.People signed this to support this plan. Maxwell Construction One Dearborn and Duke Energy signed this.

Dean Swami- Agrees with Dennerline. I am not an expert in this- but know a bit about economics. Bring in new people and they will be on the boards and they will vote things like Link 101 in. I feel that more discussion needs to be had.

Ms. House- from Lake Dildear.- Apologized for her behavior at last meeting. Tif represents loss to schools. Infrastructure not able to support this endeavor. The lack of transparency and not informing the affected residents. There is a noticeable lack of empathy for us. Thank your for listening. 

Stephen Otte- Bennington IN- Thx for reconsidering this issue. I have a feel for people on these issues form nay involvement on issues lately. We are living in a time when people trust their gov’ts less and less. You could buck this trend and listen to them The perception is that power is in the hands of just a few.Are you going to stand up for interests of the few and not the people. This will create sprawl along this highway. The developers stand to benefit- not the people who live here. 

Richard Dennerline- brought from a hospital in Lawrenceburg to house on Mt Tabor. Thank the nays and considerers for their courage. Likes the representative of One Dearborn and thinks he wants what is best for here.  But One Dearborn is not accountable to the people or the gov’t. Many of those behind the One Dearborn rep here have their own agenda.Duke energy, Randy Maxwell of Maxwell Construction etc. Data centers are targets for small towns that cannot resist them. They are massive users of energy and water.  Expect this to be noisy and exhausting 24/7. Support for this TIF is short-sighted. We are defending our way of life routed in woodlands, farmland and integrity. 

End Public Discussion

Trevor Bischoff- lives in Jackson Township- he voted for it to proceed originally so he could hear from people. He said we are here to help you and cannot if we don’t know your opinions. 

Jordan Hoffman- Appreciates the amended proposal that was submitted by Mr Dennerline. I’m hearing the people are not interested in this development. He has not seen much to change his opinion when he voted NAY before.

Jim Mansfield- Has seen a lot of good from TIFs. It’s Clay Township which surrounds Dillsboro. 

Doug Baker- Heard a lot of things that are not correct. We want the same things the people want. The uneducated comments that people made are not fair to the people  who are on this board. Does not think Duke is out there- Has REMC. Some people called who were in favor of this also. 

Dennis Kraus, Jr. Some of us are new to this board- like Doug and himself. He voted Nay and  he still doesn’t see a plan for his area so he doesn’t see it still.

Tom Tepe- It’s important to be part of this- Likes to hear the comments- Has noting to add. 

Jim Deaton- lives in Dillsboro - we have been working on this for several months. We do have a plan. Asked Perleberg to talk about the SEI READI plan

Mike Perleberg- - SEI READI plan was founded through 2 rounds in Regions in Indiana. There is interest in maintaining and growing population in Indiana. No one wants to see schools and churches etc closing. That mens you have. Good place to live- and that attracts others to live there too. That’s a little bit of context around the SEI READI plan. 

Deaton- Working on a new comp plan now- you should consider working on this. He states they have no power over anyone’s land. To get TIF’s we have a professional tell us how this will work. We did that. We would get $72,000- from this TIF per year. 

The purpose of the $72,000. Twelve years ago he worked on a plan about water quality and Lake Dildear was part of that issue due to the septic issues. Cannot drive across the dam anymore. Someone needs to drain that and clean it up. Wants to hear from the other 51,000 people. Be your own man and I am going to do what I think is best for this county. 

Mansfield- moved to accept the old one and Tepe 2nded

4 NAYS- Bischoff, Hoffman, Kraus,Jr. And Baker. 

3 Ayes Tepe, Mansfield, and Deaton. 

Clay TIF was rejected. 

Audience Applause. Bischoff said - this shows this board listens so keep talking. 

Kraus told them he was on the board appointed by council - NOT because he was the surveyor. And he encouraged them to get involved in the master plan by contacting Nicole Daily- Planning Director at 537-8821

ADJOURNMENT - 5:50 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

16 DECEMBER 2025 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

 

16 DECEMBER 2025 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

This meeting was also recorded for Uncle Sam Mortenson 

Livestreams can be found @

https://www.youtube.com/@DearbornCountyGov-47025/streams

This meeting was also recorded for Uncle Sam Mortenson 

Present: Jim Thatcher, President, Duane Bischoff, and Kevin Turner

Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator

TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.

Appeal of Animal Control's Determination of Vicious Animal- Baudendistel- discussed doing this as soon as possible due to the time issues and holiday. This needs a special meeting of commissioners on Friday morning December 19th at 9 AM. Approved

PUBLIC HEARING - Petition to Vacate Public Way Dogridge Rd Area

Baudendistel presented the initial plan and the request now to vacate by the Hylands. Grant Reeves- attorney-  representing the Hylands and the Denzlers and the Hall families.

Simplest thing to do is file to vacate it to clear this issue up. Segment was cut off in 1903 as seen on 1937. Even then the older section was overgrown. The others were open and passable. There is a good argument that this was abandoned by 20 years of non-use. Concerns that it would allow development in an area that is just not ready for that. If this is a public way- it does not go away when owners change. We believe this sets a precedential risk thoughout the county. Seavers have access- there is a doctrine called easement by necessity. This is being caused by something Seavers is doing. There is case that the property creating a land locked property bears the necessity. It is not currently land locked. They are using the legal description provided by Dennis Kraus Jr. We have certified legal of description. Thatcher asked if there was a bridge over water required for that access. Yes if they wanted to go that direction. 

Duane Bischoff- we have things from Oct 18,1999 minutes that state that Denzlers were asking to open up a section of this. Reeves noted that they did the one home and nothing more. Baudendistel noted some other cases too. Implied easement is strict. Standard to vacate is a lesser standard. Reeves- at the end of the day- Seavers volitional act is causing this. Seavers have access and ready access. 

Baudendistel said they have received formal written remonstrance from Seavers. 

Mark Hall- lived on Dogridge since born. We have 2 parcels- submitted over 106 signed petitions on this. Everyone supports the concept of vacating the road. Turner read every one of them. Bischoff read them too. People had thought the county was paying for it. They are not paying for it nor are they maintaining it. 

Gary Denzler- i got permission to use it and maintained 100 years of road which is a driveway to my home. It’s a sharp V- you cannot see around that. It would be a problem for me.

 

Dylan Klare- have family farm of 200 acres. Proud of the properties and the county. It’s important to preserve our land and the countryside. Preserve rural area. There are a lot of driveways out here that have not been used for 100 years. This could make precedent. I’m 5th generation of the farm, 33 years old. Voice my opinion as a younger generation. 

Jared Ewbank- attorney- representing Seavers- asked Denny Kraus Jr to come up and show the evidence they have  on this.

 

Dan Seavers Inc- himself, brother and sister. Got this from his dad. They have never sold a piece of ground in the country. They are 8th generation. All our property is farmed, cattle, or woodlands I understand the concerns from the neighbors. The petition that was circulated indicate these properties would be subdivided. I don’t know if that was from ignorance or malice- I will take the high road and say from ignorance. When my dad purchased we did not ask for access from DogRidge. 

He’s read the letter that says the intent for these properties. We are not asking the commission to reconstruct or maintain any of these roadways other than what was currently maintained. We wish to keep lands in their current natural state. Any future driveways would be for PRIVATELY maintained ones. Traffic counts  would be essentially the same.The Graf’s will use it for hunting and fishing. Our corporation is an estate plan essentially. This was purchased from great uncles. In 1970’s. 

Denny Kraus, Jr. showed 1860atlas showing it. 1875 Atlas- shows it between 2 properties etc. 4 separate owners had the Seavers properties. 1899 atlas- shows Dogridge from creek to Jacobs rd. 1936 map from state library- basis for 33 fr ROW of Dogridge. 1970 plat book shows it as a non- maintained Rd. 1899 auditor’s plat- parcels in separate ownership and shows Hyland’s predecessors. 1920 Auditors map- John and Harry and Bertha Seavers lands them etc. Image on GIS layer for hills shade. Aerial of Seavers property. Topographic map shows the steepness of the property.  2 ft contours that change the color of the map. Warranty deeds and Ryland’s deed and Hammerle deed mentioning the road.Deeds showing new road built in 1903. Commissioners minutes 1903. 1999 Minutes already discussed. Letter from engineer attached to one monies. 1937 aerial. 1904 aerial. Surbvey in 1999 from Jeff Stenger. Photos of apparent ROW.

Jared Ewbank - attorney- gave formal remonstrance papers. And the statute.  Tim Dan and Pam Seavers. What I see is a family that has preserved the rural nature of the county. 

Jared Ewbank pulled Nicole Daily (Planning and Zoning) into this. She said they would have to have. 50 ft ROW to have a subdivision. 

Jared Ewbank continued- DogRidge Rd is about farmers access to use the ridge access.We are an aggrieved owner as the other means of egress and ingress is unreasonable and inconvenient over the cliff and the creek way. Deny the vacation of this road. 

Joseph Graf ( buyer) passed out his letter and read it. GrackleProperties LLC in September 2025 to buy the property. Paperwork on LLC - Ownership, management purpose etc. Our ties run deep 7 generations in Dover, New Alsace, St Leon. Members of All Saints. Lives in Indy in military but considers this home. They are in the Honor Guard. We are not looking to buy properties to subdivide. Addressing the petition of 106 people. No more development there. No more traffic either. Add gravel to unmaintained road. Hunt their own land- not neighboring properties. Aim to protect and improve the natural habitat. True intent is preservation. Do not want to extend DigRidge to New Alsace. Over time we hope our actions will show this.Please do not set a precedent that people have to have Commissioners permission to sell their properties. Their operating agreement states that if the property ever is sold- first right of refusal comes to the family.Wife is a city gal- but wants he and kids to use this property for hunting etc. 

Baudendistel said to subdivide this land requires a rezone.Ag Zone does not allow subdivison.

 

Greg Hyland- asked Seavers that with 230 acres how he accesses it. They have not accessed it in 55 years. 

Reeves- Attorney for Hylands etc- It can be rezoned- and the petition to vacate is the way to clear this up. 

Marty Kraus- adjoining landowner. Noted his request was turned down for access in past. Roads don’t have to be to county standards, You can build a road that fords a creek through many times of the year. And people do “trespass” on old roads out here. A road that is somewhat maintained attracts people trying to use it.

 

Thatcher called for a motion. Bischoff motioned to deny vacation and Turner 2nded. Approved to Deny Vacation.

Commissioners wan Andy Baudendistel to set up procedures for these old roadbeds and ROWs. 

7:20 PM

OLD BUSINESS

Property on Westside Dr., Aurora (nothing new)- TABLED

NEW BUSINESS

Request to Use Remaining EMS LIT Funds - David Phelps, II, Aurora EMS $32,000 left use for a Director’s vehicle ( similar to a chase car.) -Baudendistel added an addendum to do this in the contract.  Approved

Request to Use Remaining EMS LIT Funds - Megan Brookbank, Greendale EMS- Tom Craig President EMS Greendale- $21-23,000 left. Wants a new Stryker powerload system and cot- it’s 12 years old. Approved.

CSI Computer Systems Support Agreement - Joyce Oles, Recorder- Approved

Travel Advisory - Jason Sullivan, EMA/EMS Director- Approved all his advisories Dec 1and 2. Dec 11,12, 13, 14,15,16.

Nicole Daily, Director of Planning & Zoning:

Moore Drive - Realignment, ROW Dedication & Acceptance Survey- Approved

County Park Board 5-year Master Plan (2026-2030)- working on final draft and reviewed by IDNR and going thru for feedback in February. It is on the county’s and etc park board’s websites for public. This has to go thru DNR before county and park board approve.

Save Local Waters Membership – Matt Simpson, DCSWCD Stormwater Coordinator- This is between all 5 MS4’s in them county. Soil and Water is also in this. Total $725.25 county cost. Based on population. Soil and water is paying half of the county’s cost.All partners agreed. Approved

Discussion Regarding Inclement Weather Closure of Government Center Policy- There is one. Sue Hayden found it. 

Department Head Appointments - All Approved

• Administrator / ADA & Title VI Coordinator – Sue Hayden
• Animal Control Director – Steve Hofstetter
• Attorney – Andy Baudendistel
• Building Inspector – Bill Shelton
• Emergency Management Director/ EMS – Jason Sullivan
• Engineer – Todd Listerman
• Highway Superintendent – Tim Greive
• Maintenance Director – Eric Hartman
• 911 Director – Kris Heitmeyer  

• Board appointments- APPROVED except for Community Corrections and DCRSD which are tabled as below. 

• Heath Board Appointments - Donald Rechtin & Steve Hubbard
• Planning Commission - Eric Lang
• BZA - Alan Miller (attorney previously served in Aurora city.) 
• PTA BOA - Jodi Wolf, Mark Hardebeck
• This one TABLED to check if correct- Community Corrections (SERCC) - Michael Srapata, Wyatt Simpson, Bill Belew, Matt Probst, Greg Duncan, Gregory Coy, Rick Craig, Tom Baxter, Mario Todd 
• TABLED to check if they want to be renewed- Regional Sewer - Steward Cline, Russell Beiersdorfer
• Alcohol Beverage Board - Tom Smith
• Redevelopment Commission - Jim Deaton, Jim Mansfield, Tom Tepe, Trevor Bischoff
• TABLED till checking for people- Emergency Management - Kris Heitmeyer ( there because of his position), (Jody Blasdel wants to retire) - Add Max Webster. 

ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden- Certification of Annual Nepotism Policy- she has all the elected officials forms back today. 

AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold  -Claims/Payroll and December 2nd Minutes-Approved

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- Documents to sign still for transfer of hospital property but all reapproved. 

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Turner and Bischoff praised all staff that worked over the snow days.

Thatcher wished everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION:none

PUBLIC COMMENT: none

ADJOURN- 8:05 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township