BMWC 27th Annual Meeting Minutes – March 7, 2023
Bob Schrumpf, President, called the 27th Annual Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting opened with Randy Haukap leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attorney Jeffrey Mollet reported that the 1% quorum had been met with 87 contract holders in attendance. Bob Schrumpf then introduced members of the Board, Engineer, Legal Counsel, Contractor, and employees. In October 2022, Lawrence Schwarz resigned his board member position after serving for 20 years.
Bob then turned the meeting over to Mike VonderHaar, Secretary of the Board, who provided proof of the Annual Meeting Notice and pointed out that the 2022 Annual Meeting minutes were included on the agenda. Denny Willman made motion to accept the minutes. Michelle Haller 2nd. Motion carried.
Mike VonderHaar gave an update on the Bond/Madison’s Rounding up for your Community Program. The Program was implemented in February 2020. Currently having approximately 304 contributors for a total collected in the past year of around $ 1700.00. Grand total collected since inception being $ 4756.57. The collected money was placed in special savings account with a balance of $ 2,968.75 as of December 31, 2022. The Round Up committee met during the year and reviewed submitted applications. The following were approved recipients: The Simple Room, Bond County Senior Center, Bond County Humane, Pleasant Mound Community Center, all in Bond County and Leaps of Love, in Madison County. The Board approved to make a $ 150.00 donation to each of the above-mentioned community organizations abiding by Bond/Madison’s Rounding up for your Community policy guidelines. Members were encouraged to donate to the Rounding Up for your Community Program by calling the office. Upon recommendation of the Round Up Committee in October 2022, the BMWC Board of Directors voted to increase the donation amount from $ 150.00 to $ 250.00 for year 2023 applications.
Mr. Eyman submitted the Treasurer’s Report directing the membership to review the Cashflow and Balance sheet printed on the agenda. Any questions could be answered at the meeting, or the office could be contacted later. With the financial reports being in good order, Janet Waligorski made motion to approve them. Don Grimm 2nd. Motion carried.
Bob Massa of Juneau and Associates took the floor and reported the status of the EPA funding for the “Project” of water main looping, tower painting, telemetry system replacement, and water system improvements. “Project” is moving forward with preparation of IEPA contract, archaeological study, project design, easements, and title reports.
Attorney Jeffrey Mollet presented the slate of nominees and explained voting procedure. Incumbents Brent Whittaker of Bond County and Randy Haukap of Madison County are each running for a three-year term. Laura Knackstedt has been nominated by the Village of Grantfork for a 3-year term representing the bulk users-Only bulk users will vote. All Bond County and Madison County candidates are running unopposed. Mr. Mollet asked for a motion to accept the slate as presented. Mark Carpenter made motion to accept. Dennis Kirkham 2nd motion. Motion carried.
Laura Knackstedt was presented as unopposed nominee for bulk water representative. Mr. Mollet asked bulk representatives to accept the nomination of Laura Knackstedt. Mr. Mollet asked for a motion to accept the slate as presented. Rich Accornero so moved. Don Grimm 2nd. Motion carried.
President Bob Schrumpf asked if there was any unfinished business. None stated. The President then asked if there was any new business for discussion. Marty Landmann, Manager/Operator, took the floor to inform the membership that regretfully BMWC was forced to raise water rates. A 25% water usage increase to existing water rates took effect on the February 1, 2023, billing for January 2023 water usage. The monthly minimum fee was increased to $ 30.00 due to the debt service coverage ratio falling short of the bank loan requirements per Auditor. Rate structure increase is due to rising costs in water provided by Illinois American Water (IAWC), EPA testing, materials, and all items necessary to operate the system.
Illinois American Water Company (IAWC) representative, Joe Ahlvin took the floor to explain the rate increase imposed upon Bond Madison Water Company. IAWC filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) for an increase to water base rates due to new environmental regulations, system improvements, inflation, increased prices of fuel, chemicals, and electrical power. ICC approved a rate increase to IAWC for 27% effective February 2023.
Michelle Haller made motion to adjourn meeting. Stanley Frey 2nd motion. Meeting Adjourned.
Each member submitting signed invitation card at the registration desk to receive a BMWC $ 10.00 bill credit. BMWC $ 50.00 bill credit winners were: Clarence Zimmerman, June Childerson, Bridget Grotts, Ernest Potthast, Mt. Nebo Church, and Kenny Haller. Applebee’s Dinner/AMC Movie Theater gift cards winners were Dennis Kirkham and Kay Walker.
