Minutes of the Annual Meeting
Southern Black Hills Water System Board
Pringle Church, Pringle, South Dakota
Saturday, October 5, 2019
The Annual Meeting of the Southern Black Hills Water System was held at the Pringle Church, Pringle, South Dakota on Saturday, October 5, 2019.
Chairman Wick called the meeting to order at approximately 1:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL– The following Board Members were present: DeFries, Seaboldt, Beard, Baird and Wick. Absent board members were Smith, Peplinski and Kraus. Others in attendance was Don Peterson. There were 12 members present and 21 proxies submitted.
ELECTION – Chairman Wicks welcomed the attendees and introduced the Board members and staff. DeFries, Seaboldt and Peplinski submitted their paperwork for re-election. Motion by Nancy Barker, 2nd by Linda Styger to accept the nominations. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES - Motion by Linda Styger, 2nd by Nancy Barker to approve the minutes of last years meeting September 22, 2018. Motion approved unanimously. A suggestion was made by the attendees to send out the minutes with the latest water bill so that they could be reviewed before attending the meeting. Don Peterson said that could be done.
Managers’ Report
System Manager Don Peterson presented the Manager report.
Chairman Wick presented the attendees with the 2020 water rate increases. The rate will be $93 for a water user and $75 for a pasture tap. The $4 for a thousand gallons will remain in effect. Chairman Wick explained the reasoning for the increase due to higher costs and planning for equipment replacement in the future.
Members Comments
Discussion on the increase was brought forward by two members of the system. The biggest complaint was from those not using the system year round and yet having to pay for the taps when not in use. Disconnecting and then future reconnection fees in the future were discussed. The reconnection fee is $8000 and all monthly water fees not paid since disconnection would also have to be paid. Members of the system discussed Colorado’s hook up fees that are anywhere from $20,000 up and that the SBHWS fees were not out of line. It was noted by several that increases in water fees are not liked but appeared to be necessary.
ADJOURNMENT - Chairman Wick thanked all for attending the annual meeting and asked to close the meeting. Motion by Beard, 2nd by DeFries to adjourn the meeting at approximately 2:00 PM. Motion approved unanimously.
Southern Black Hills Water System Board
Pringle Church, Pringle, South Dakota
Saturday, October 5, 2019
The Annual Meeting of the Southern Black Hills Water System was held at the Pringle Church, Pringle, South Dakota on Saturday, October 5, 2019.
Chairman Wick called the meeting to order at approximately 1:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL– The following Board Members were present: DeFries, Seaboldt, Beard, Baird and Wick. Absent board members were Smith, Peplinski and Kraus. Others in attendance was Don Peterson. There were 12 members present and 21 proxies submitted.
ELECTION – Chairman Wicks welcomed the attendees and introduced the Board members and staff. DeFries, Seaboldt and Peplinski submitted their paperwork for re-election. Motion by Nancy Barker, 2nd by Linda Styger to accept the nominations. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES - Motion by Linda Styger, 2nd by Nancy Barker to approve the minutes of last years meeting September 22, 2018. Motion approved unanimously. A suggestion was made by the attendees to send out the minutes with the latest water bill so that they could be reviewed before attending the meeting. Don Peterson said that could be done.
Managers’ Report
System Manager Don Peterson presented the Manager report.
- The 2018 DENR Drinking Water Certificate of Achievement award was presented. The DENR certificate identifies and rewards those water systems and their operation specialists that have demonstrated excellence in water system management and maintenance.
- Water usage has dropped to 6.25 Million gallons. This is about 1.550 Million gallons less than 2018. Don explained to the board that the usage was down due to the rainy summer and less water was needed for livestock and gardens.
- The board is still waiting for the Forest Service approval to pump 300 gpm thru the pipe that is on Forest Service property.
- The Paramount Point extension which would be available to 65 new customers was discussed. Due to the project being in the planning stages, costs, loans and rates were not available.
- Automatic or credit card payment is being studied. This type payment would be added in the future if possible.
- The Rushmore Ranch Water Salesman was presented. Its viability and reasoning for the water salesman and the water rates were also discussed.
Chairman Wick presented the attendees with the 2020 water rate increases. The rate will be $93 for a water user and $75 for a pasture tap. The $4 for a thousand gallons will remain in effect. Chairman Wick explained the reasoning for the increase due to higher costs and planning for equipment replacement in the future.
Members Comments
Discussion on the increase was brought forward by two members of the system. The biggest complaint was from those not using the system year round and yet having to pay for the taps when not in use. Disconnecting and then future reconnection fees in the future were discussed. The reconnection fee is $8000 and all monthly water fees not paid since disconnection would also have to be paid. Members of the system discussed Colorado’s hook up fees that are anywhere from $20,000 up and that the SBHWS fees were not out of line. It was noted by several that increases in water fees are not liked but appeared to be necessary.
ADJOURNMENT - Chairman Wick thanked all for attending the annual meeting and asked to close the meeting. Motion by Beard, 2nd by DeFries to adjourn the meeting at approximately 2:00 PM. Motion approved unanimously.
