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Frankfort Municipal Utilities

State to Pump Water Through Clinton County To Boone County

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Image from Project LEAP dual water main project document attached to an email dated Monday, March 20, 2023 3:20 PM from Shaiza Sajjad, Staff Engineer with American Structurepoint, Inc. The email from American Structurepoint, Inc., states it has been tasked to perform utility coordination for 277,600 feet (52.6 miles) long dual water mains design project starting at the Wabash River near the intersection of W 200 S and S 500 W, and terminating at the intersection of State Road 32 and 500 W. The water mains pass through Tippecanoe, Clinton and Boone counties.

FRANKFORT, Ind. (March 21, 2023) – The State of Indiana has given Frankfort Municipal Utilities (FMU) 21-days to respond to requests for information on a 52.6 mile long dual water mains design project for Project LEAP starting at the Wabash River near the intersection of W 200 S and S 500 W in Tippecanoe County and terminating at the intersection of State Road 32 and 500 W in Boone County; the water mains will pass through Clinton County on both sides of U.S. 52 according to project maps reviewed.

The request for information came via email to FMU from American Structurepoint, Inc. – tasked to perform utility coordination – according to FMU Utility Service Board chairman Kent Brewer during Monday’s USB meeting, March 20th.

“We received an email that was forwarded around 3:30 to 3:45 [Monday] from American Structurepoint,” stated chairman Brewer during the meeting. “We, as a utility, … only have some electric crossing 52. I don’t believe we have any underground stuff – we don’t have water out that far, we definitely don’t have sewer out that far. As far as an effect on our utilities, we don’t see that.”

Brewer stated the Clinton County government was not made aware of this.

“I forwarded that email to my son (Jordan Brewer, president of the Clinton County commissioners) and was totally shocked. He claimed they – the County – has not received anything. I forwarded it to Dan Sheets (county surveyor) as well.”

The specific items requested according to the email shared by chairman Brewer with Clinton County Today include: map(s) of the size, material, and location of the facilities within the limits of the proposed project and copies of any as-builts or easement documents. The email does not contain information as to when the project would begin.

Project LEAP is an economic development zone consisting of over 10,000 acres in Boone County to the west and north of Lebanon. Eli Lilly has started construction on a $2.1 Billion project in the area. The dual water mains are vital to provide the necessary water to the planned development area.

This is a zoom-in view of the Clinton County portion of the Project LEAP dual water main project moving water from Tippecanoe County to Boone County. Original image from Shaiza Sajjad, Staff Engineer with American Structurepoint, Inc. email attachment. Email dated Monday, March 20, 2023 3:20 PM.

Clinton County Water Will Not Flow Into Boone County, Wabash River Water Will Be Used – “Hundred Million Gallon A Day”

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Clinton County Water Will Not Flow Into Boone County, Wabash River Water Will Be Used - "Hundred Million Gallon A Day"
Kent Brewer, chairman of the Frankfort Utility Service Board (USB) provided an update on the aquifer study conducted in Clinton County, Indiana on water that could be used to fuel the growth in neighboring Boone County due to a planned 6,000 acre Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Innovation and Research District. Map depicts the LEAP zone as presented to the Lebanon City Council

FRANKFORT, Ind. – Officials from the State of Indiana have notified the Frankfort Utility Services that Clinton County water will not be directed to Boone County as part of the Lebanon area Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Innovation and Research District.

As previously reported, the State of Indiana was looking to source water for the designated 6,000 acre development.

Kent Brewer, chairman of the Frankfort Utility Service Board (USB) provided an update on the aquifer study at the conclusion of the USB meeting on Monday, September 19. The USB and Clinton County Commissioners are participants in a State Water Infrastructure Fund (SWIF) grant and the state is test drilling in a southwest portion of the county.

Brewer said, “about two weeks ago, we were notified that they’re not gonna be taken water from Clinton County.”

The State of Indiana provided the information during a brief, 10-minute zoom meeting with Brewer, Todd Corrie – general manager of Frankfort Utilities, and Alicia Albertson – attorney for the USB.

The State has one remaining test well and will share the data once the study is completed.

“The state notified Todd and Alicia, and I in a zoom meeting… they’re gonna give us that data, but they are going to get 10 million gallon a day from south of Lebanon, bring it up from the south and they’re going to tap the Wabash River and they’re gonna bring a hundred million gallon a day up through Tippecanoe County. They’re gonna hit US 52 and take it straight to Lebanon right down US 52.”

Brewer said the State did not provide any indication as to why the decision was made not to use water from Clinton County; however, he did provide some ideas as to why the State might have gone with different alternatives.

“No, they didn’t give a whole lot of indication. I believe they’d done like seven to eight wells out that way and I don’t believe they hit the depths that they wanted to hit – where they felt there would be the quantity of the water. The one they’re doing, I do know was like 335-feet [deep] and they hit a second aquifer there, but some of the other ones they didn’t hit the water that they really want.”

“So at that point, I think they decided, why invest in that right there and not get eight, 10 million gallon a day was what they originally had told us they were gonna get out of there.”

“Obviously we had no say. The Utilities, the County, none of us had a say. They just showed up, started land rental agreements, drilling.”

Painting of Elevated Water Tank at I-65 to Begin

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Painting of Elevated Water Tank at I-65 to Begin
Photo of the 500,000-gallon elevated water tank at I-65 & S.R. 28 is nearing the painting phase of the construction process. The contractor, Maquire Iron, had made assurances to have painting completed prior to weather turning cold. (Photo by Brett W. Todd / September 13, 2022)

FRANKFORT, Ind. – The 500,000-gallon elevated water tank located off of State Road 28 and Interstate 65 is approaching the painting phase of the project and should be completed prior to the winter season.

As previously reported, the contractor for the project, Maquire Iron, had asked the Clinton County commissioners for a project extension to December 31 of this year with the agreement the tower would be painted prior to weather turning cold. The County is funding the project build with Frankfort Utility Services providing day-to-day operation upon project completion.

At the conclusion of the Frankfort Utility Service Board (USB) meeting on Monday (September 19), Kent Brewer, chairman of the Frankfort USB was asked about the status of painting of the constructed tank and whether or not painting completion will meet the deadline.

“Yes, depending on the weather,” said Brewer. “If we continue to have weather like this, they say that it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Much of the prep-work was done while the tank was being constructed while still on the ground.

“From my understanding, the tank’s primed. It was sand blasted and primed while it was on the ground and then they done some x-ray machines and they had one little area that they had to address the welds and then they’d have to re-prime that.”

Once those areas are addressed, Brewer expects a protective tent to go up for the painting process.

“My speculation would be that they would be putting a tent up and over it, like we did ours out here on the west edge of Frankfort and get started on paint.”

In terms of when the tank would be filled and come online is still being discussed.

“I really don’t know how much more works left before it would be water ready.”

FMU Resumes Utility Disconnections

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Frankfort – The Frankfort Municipal Utilities resumed its disconnection of services for failure to pay on Monday, Sep 14 – as of Monday, Sep 21, thirty-seven customers have had services disconnected according to FMU Billing Manager Stacy Uitts.

Uitts provided this information during the Monday, Utility Service Board meeting. She noted 92 payment plans have been set-up for customers that had applied for the assistance. She stated, of the 92, less than five were from customers who came in after being disconnected.

Customers facing disconnection were notified that payment plans, of up to 6-months, were available to avoid disconnection.

“Last week we were booked,” said Uitts when she shared with USB members what the demand has been from customers requesting to take advantage of the payment plan. “We were doing two payment plans every half-hour, with the exception of lunch hours, and our entire day was booked with appointments of people trying to get in before being disconnected.”

She also noted there are 236 remaining to be disconnected. Of that count, 43 customers are 31 to 45 days late, 194 are more than 45 days late, and 15 are more than 200 days late with the oldest delinquent account being 269 days past due.

The billing office has had its 1st payment plan already paid off close to $500.

“We’re happy,” said Uitts when asked how she felt the payment plan had been going. “I think the payment plan has been a good option for a lot of people and I think it seems very promising.”

Until October 15th, the FMU is not charging a disconnect fee according to Uitts. She said people still have time to call and set-up an appointment to avoid being disconnected and for those that have been disconnected, they can still have a payment plan set-up.

Uitts explained: “They have to come in before their disconnect (date) to avoid being disconnected to get their payment plan set-up. If they come in after (being disconnected), they will not be turned back on until they come in and sign a payment plan.”

The FMU Billing Office can be contacted at (765) 659-3361 to arrange an appointment to go to the Billing Office – located at 1405 E Wabash St, Frankfort – to create a payment plan.

Utility disconnections were placed on hold during the pandemic due to a moratorium put in place by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s executive order issued March 19 which expired on August 14.

USB Sets Date For Water Rate Increase

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The Frankfort Utility Service Board (USB) took action at its Tuesday, September 8, 2020, meeting to set the effective date of the water rate increase. The water rate increase will be implemented over a three year period and when fully implemented will amount to a 53.6% increase.

Frankfort Municipal Utilities General Manager Todd Corrie addressed the 5-member board.

“I think our plan of right now if you guys are good with it, is to start it October 1st of this year – that way it starts right clean at the month, the 1st of the month,” said Corrie. “It will be the first one, then we will have it in our record for October 1st, 2021, then October 1st, 2022.”

The first increase will be 25%, the second increase is 15%, and the final increase is 13.6%.

According to a document prepared by a consulting firm hired by the USB, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc., the current rate for a city user of 4 units monthly is $10.28 per month. Under the new increase, that user will see the rate go to $12.85 per month in year 1, $14.39 per month in year 2, and $15.79 per month with the final increase.

Frankfort City Council Approves 53.6% Increase To Water Rates

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The Frankfort City Council took the final two-steps to increase water rates by 53.6% at its Monday, August 24, 2020, Council meeting. After holding a public hearing on Ordinance 20-13, the Council voted 6-0 approving the new water rate.

The water rate increase will be phased in over 3-years.

After the meeting, Todd Corrie, General Manager of the Frankfort Municipal Utilities, was ecstatic the 3-year process of developing plans for much-needed work on the existing water system was completed.

“I am very happy that this is done, ecstatic,” said Corrie. “It has been a long process. We have been working on this probably for 3-years now.”

Over $13,600,000 is needed to expand and begin repair of the current Frankfort water network. This need is being driven by a forecasted demand in water usage over the next 20-years and the current condition of the system.

Corrie discussed how the new funds will be used.

“There’s going to be an upgrade to the plant. It’s going to go from 6 million gallons to 9 million gallons a day. We are going to finish off something that we call the Jefferson Loop. It is connecting from Jefferson back around to the industrial park off of County Road 0.”

He also added the increase will help in making the plants safer and allow for the replacement of existing water main.

“We’re going to go to an on-site generation for our chlorine. Then, we have money in there to rehabilitate one of the water towers and then be saving money with this to do the next one probably 5 years down the road. Also be in place to replace water mains at a rate of maybe a mile a year is what we’re going to be shooting for and it is all very expensive.”

When asked when ratepayers should expect to see the increase, Corrie said the topic will be discussed at the next Utility Service Board meeting.

“We are going to discuss this at our next Utility Service Board and it (the rate increase) will be sometime between September and October 1st.”

The next USB meeting will be Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 7 p.m.

Disconnections To Resume September 15th, Repayment Plans Available

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At the Monday, August 17, 2020, Frankfort Utility Service Board meeting, the members voted unanimously to set September 15th as the date to resume utility disconnections.

Stacy Uitts, Frankfort Billing Office Manager, noted there are approximately 437 customers eligible for disconnection.

Those who are behind are encouraged to contact the billing office to schedule an appointment to discuss repayment plans. Repayment plans are available for up to 6-months in length to assist in keeping payments low. The repayment plan is in addition to the monthly usage bill according to Mike Kelley, Chairman of the Frankfort USB.

Below is the complete press release issued by the members of the Frankfort USB:

As of August 14, 2020 Governor Holcomb’s orders concerning disconnects expired. Frankfort Municipal Utilities has decided to extend these orders until September 15, 2020 to give our customers an opportunity to make payment arrangements if needed.

Effective September 15, 2020, disconnections will begin again. All past due payments must be taken care of before 10:00 am on September 15th to avoid any interruption in service. If you are unable to make the full payment we are offering 6 months payment plans, but they must be set up before September 15, 2020 by contacting Frankfort Municipal Utilities Billing Office in person or by phone to avoid being disconnected. Frankfort Municipal Utility Billing Office located at 1405 E Wabash St, and the phone number is 765.659.3361.

You may also contact Area IV 765.447.7683, and your local township trustee’s office for additional assistance Center Township 765-357-9100.

All late penalties and fees will resume on October 14, 2020.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the FMU Billing Office.

Thank you,
Utility Service Board
Mike Kelley, Chairman
Kent Brewer, Vice Chairman
Joe Root
Mike Reeder
Rick Gunyon

FMU Personnel
Todd Corrie, General Manager
Stacy Uitts, Billing Office Manager

Lagoons May Reopen May 24th If Clinton County Moves To Stage 3 of IN Governor Eric Holcomb’s Plan

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The USB voted 5-0 Monday night during its scheduled meeting to reopen the Lagoons provided Clinton County moves to Stage 3 under Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s plan to getting Indiana reopened.

Stage 3 is set to take place on May 24th.

However, Governor Holcomb’s executive order does allow local government to set rules that are more strict if they deem necessary.

Safety of Utilities Employees Cited As A Reason Why USB Continues To Keep Lagoons Closed

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The five members of the Frankfort Utility Service Board issued a press release, Thursday, May 7, 2020, addressing the closure of the Frankfort Lagoons.

Below is the press release in its entirety.

The Frankfort Lagoons were created years ago as the answer to sewage treatment issues created by a local industry. Their purpose was to collect and hold water used by that industry to be disposed of without processing the water through the entire sanitary sewage treatment process. After the industry closed, the infrastructure conveying the water to the Lagoons was incorporated into the storm water drainage system for a section of the city. The storm water and water supplied by electric powered wells are the main water sources for the Lagoons today. The Lagoons continue to be maintained and operated as a part of the utility infrastructure in the City.

In the 1970’s, the Utility Service Board (USB) was created by the Frankfort City Council to oversee the Frankfort Water Works, Frankfort Light and Power, Wastewater Treatment Department, and Sewer Maintenance Department. More recently, the Fiber Optic Network was added to the Board’s responsibility.

There are five members on the Board. Three are appointed by the Mayor and two by the City Council. Per state statute, the Board is responsible for supervising the utilities to ensure that the operation of the utilities is in the best interest and to the benefit of the ratepayers. Policymaking regarding the operation of the utilities, its real estate, and its infrastructure is part of the supervisory powers granted the Board. Since the temporary closing of the Lagoons is a policy made by the Board and since the Lagoons fall under the umbrella of the utility infrastructure, the USB, not the Mayor, not the City Council, and not the Department of Natural Resources will provide the rationale for the decision and will continue to serve as the decision maker with regard to the Lagoons.

In the beginning, Governor’s Executive order declared, among many things, that people should stay at home, limited public gathering, and asked that certain types of places be closed to the public. With this order in mind, the USB felt it was in the best interest of the public and more importantly of its employees, that the Lagoons be closed. A significant factor in the closing was, and continues to be the fact that employees of the utilities are ultimately responsible for the care, maintenance, and trash removal for the Lagoons. The USB also is thankful for and mindful of the many volunteers who have routinely assisted in cleaning up the trash and hazardous items left in the area. Why would the USB want to put any of these employees’ or volunteers’ health in jeopardy? After considering the safety of the employees, the volunteers, and the public, the decision was made to close the Lagoons. Recently some of the Governor’s restrictions were amended to allow more activities, but there was also a provision for local authorities to utilize a slower process to reopen to the public. After considering the increase in the reported cases most recently in Clinton County, the USB decided to keep the Lagoons closed at this time, but to review the current data as it becomes available, and to reopen the Lagoons when employees, volunteers, and the public face minimal health risk. The health and safety of the employees, volunteers, and the public are matters of great importance to the USB. The USB appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation during this time of public health emergency. We will continue to analyze the situation as it arises and will make decisions as appropriate.

Frankfort Utility Service Board
Mike Kelley (Chairman)
Kent Brewer (Vice Chairman)
Joe Root
Mike Reeder
Rick Gunyon

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