Black Swamp Regional Water & Sewer District. History of Formation April 20, 2015

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1 Black Swamp Regional Water & Sewer District History of Formation April 20, 2015

2 Putnam County Commissioners Sewer/Water Districts 6103 and 6117 ORC Sewer District No (156 residents) Sewer District No (East of and contiguous with Village of Ottawa) Sewer District No. 2A 1989 (Homeowners Association) Water District No (Putnam County Nursing Home and Airport Waterline) Petition to Create Regional District about 1990 denied by Court Hidden Timbers Subdivision 1991

3 Regional Water & Sewer District 1990 Village of Ottawa/County Commissioners Water Purchase Agreement create a Regional Water District pursuant to Chapter 6119 dismissed by Court of Common Pleas Regional Water & Sewer Study March, 2014 Village of Ottawa (lead agency) and County Commissioners received LGIF grant to conduct regional water and sanitary sewer feasibility study.

4 Feasibility Study Recommendations Establish regional water & sewer district Create regional water/wastewater coordination/consolidation policy Include all local water and wastewater facilities in regional coordination efforts Target small, old and/or failing systems Conduct multi-town public education and outreach Coordinate with other entities the work related to planning efforts

5 Creation of Regional Water & Sewer District September, County Commissioners (lead agency) with collaborative partners applied for LGIF grant February, 2014 Grant agreement May, 2014 Commissioners engaged Spitler, Huffman law firm to guide the County through the process of establishing a regional water & sewer district.

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7 Establishment of Putnam County Regional Water/Sewer District Meetings with municipalities, townships and private public systems Preliminary Discussion Topics Would you consider being a member of a Regional W/S District in Putnam County? Does your water and/or wastewater system have excess capacity? Have any Findings and Orders been issued or pending by EPA? Would you be willing to provide services outside of your jurisdiction? Is annexation currently a requirement to receive/distribute water/sewer services? Are there areas of current service that need upgrades/improvements? What are typical system pressures? Are there unserved areas that have requested water and/or sewer services What additional information do you need to consider being a member of the District? Is there a primary contact for you? Is there any current interest in sharing services/resources in operation? Is there any current interest in having your water or wastewater facilities become regional? Introductions Background Village of Ottawa, Putnam County Commissioners with BGSU conducted a regional water and sanitary sewer feasibility study. recommendation significant opportunities for meaningful savings, both in capital costs and annual O&M expenses Putnam County Commissioners with a number of collaborating partners successfully applied for Local Government Innovation Fund (LGIF) grant to establish a regional water and sewer district under the authority of Chapter 6119, RCO. Similar districts in Wood, Henry, Allen Counties, along with many other regional systems. County Commissioners recently sent out a letter to each entity in Putnam County about the process which includes meeting with each entity in the County to discuss potential participation in a proposed regional water and sewer district. Legal Process to Establish a Regional District Distribute process Plan of Operation/Financial Plan Every District is uniquely formed and operated lots of flexibility o Options District owns and operates system(s) in Putnam County District operates systems Entity retains ownership District contracts with entity to provide treated water and/or wastewater treatment and/or distribution/collection for customers in district. District operates and maintains water distribution and sanitary sewer collection District provides administrative services (billing, supervision) Combinations of above scenarios

8 Creation of Regional Water & Sewer District Commissioners appointed Advisory Committee May, 2014 Organizational meeting Meeting monthly 2 nd Thursday; 4:00 pm July, August, September, 2014 Attended village council meetings, County Township Trustees Association August, 2014 Advisory Committee determined name of district Black Swamp Regional Water and Sewer District. Selected logo.

9 Creation of Regional Water & Sewer District September, 2014 Developed frequently asked questions (FAQ) from meetings with villages and townships Drafted Financing Plan October, 2014 Established web site; Black Swamp RWSD Started collecting data for Plan of Operation Committee began drafting By-Laws Sent surveys to gather information and determine interest from water and wastewater treatment plant operators

10 Creation of Regional Water & Sewer District December, 2014 Committee completed draft By-Laws February, 2015 Prepared legislation for villages, townships, and private operators to be a petitioner for the regional district Follow up meetings with communities April, 2015 Established schedule (goal) to file petition September, 2015 Uploaded By-Laws, Financing Plan, Maps on Web Site Drafted organizational charts for District operation

11 Survey Results Yes, I am interested. Villages of Ottawa, Pandora, Miller City, Dupont Ottawa, Palmer, Monroe, Greensburg, Pleasant Townships Country Acres Golf Club, Country Manor Estates, Miller City High School, Brookhill Center, Oak Haven Residential Care Undecided Villages of Columbus Grove, Glandorf, Leipsic, Kalida, Ottoville Blanchard, Monterey, Union, Van Buren Townships No Response Villages of Gilboa, Belmore, Cloverdale, Fort Jennings, West Leipsic Jennings and Sugar Creek Township