Keith Arnold

The board discussed several operational and maintenance items including the status of the lift station project, water system maintenance and repairs, and financial reporting. Key discussion topics included the potential regionalization of water systems, the purchase of a dump trailer, signage for plant facilities, and the maintenance program for the plant generator. The board also addressed infrastructure projects such as street cut patching, culvert installation, tree removal at the office, the backflow preventer program, funding options for water line replacement, strategies for reducing water loss, and facility repairs including roof panel replacement and the potential installation of a mini-split system.

The board addressed issues concerning meter freezing and maintenance coordination for lift stations. Operations and wastewater reports covered the installation of a new pump at the upper tower, the purchase of an excavator, parking lot improvements, and the resolution of an ADEQ complaint regarding a tank spillover. Additionally, the board discussed future meter replacements, plans for a public meeting on water system reconsolidation, the approval of a generator maintenance plan, the search for legal counsel experienced with suburban improvement districts, and the acquisition of quotes for office air conditioning.

Key discussions focused on the Water System Operator's Report and Wastewater System Operator's Report, including updates on the upper tank pump status, potential main line relocation and old line replacement plans, and delays in meter installation due to the lift station project. Business items included the approval of financials. Other business involved an IT update where all email addresses were consolidated, a motion to purchase a refurbished computer, and a decision to proceed with SCADA implementation on one lift station. The board also approved the purchase of a used excavator utilizing the Asset Replacement Fund. Further actions included approving a first-year maintenance plan for the plant generator, deciding to retain the current meeting schedule and use Facebook for remote access links, and declining a proposal to implement a policy forgiving customer late fees once.

Key discussions during the meeting included updates on lift station operations, with progress noted on stations 7, 8, and 9, and station 11 next in line. There was a detailed explanation regarding the system conjoining agreement with Benton County Water District #1, necessitating finalization before public town halls can be held, including one scheduled for December 19th. The board approved a motion to replace the upper pump using allocated tower repair funds, with any remaining costs to be covered by maintenance funds. Another matter involved a leak on the main line on Oak Shadows requiring a quote for replacement. Following an executive session to discuss salaries, the board approved a 2.8% raise for employees. Furthermore, the board agreed that Lost Bridge Water and Sewer would cover 80% of employees' group insurance premiums. Finally, the proposed 2026 budget was approved with revisions concerning salaries and employee insurance, scheduled for a revisit in six months.

Key discussions centered on operations and finances. Regarding operations, Seven Valleys received one pump station and plans to commence the lift station project soon. There was a discussion concerning a budget overage related to engineering payments that needed reconciliation. Water system reports detailed progress on sanitizing the main tank and plans for the upper tank, including pressure management and installing a new fire hydrant to potentially improve the ISO score. The board approved the purchase of 50 additional meters and endpoints for the system monitoring. In financial matters, the board approved the September financials and voted to increase water and sewer tap fees from $1200 to $1400. Approval was granted for the Chair to sign and send the year-end 2024 agreed-upon procedures to the legislative auditor. Furthermore, the board authorized staff to investigate options for acquiring a dump trailer using asset replacement funds and to contact the local Rose Law Firm office for local legal counsel.