March 29, 2024

Supervisors agree to set public hearing date regarding septic system policies

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors heard from Jasper County Sanitation Director Kevin Luetters about setting a public hearing date for additions, deletions and consolidations of ordinances regarding the county’s septic system policies

The board agreed on the following public hearing dates: March 12, March 19 and March 26.

The board heard from Luetters about the following proposed changes to the policy:

• Introduction of a $50 distribution box permit: owners can get around this by becoming a licensed plumber or become certified. The possible introduction of the fee is to cover the expense of installation.

• Septic system installation: currently, homeowners can install their own septic tanks. Luetters said he ran into problems in the past and the change would allow for a septic system to be installed properly without environmental problems. If approved, the installation would help the county keep track of the total number of septic systems.

• 200-foot clarification: if approved, this would require homeowners whose property is within 200 feet of a rural sewer to be hooked up to it if the homeowner needed a septic tank or lateral field installed or replaced.

Luetters also recommended that a solid 4-inch schedule 40 pipe be used for the installation of septic tanks, which will be up for discussion at the meeting.

The board also approved transfering $6,656.65 generated by the county’s camping grounds fees, from the General Fund to the Conservation Budget.

Jasper County Conservation Director Keri Van Zante told the board the money would be used for several projects in Ashton Wildwood Park, which included construction of a new bathroom, shower house and playground. She also requested the board approve a letter of recommendation for her department to receive a federal grant to help pay for those projects.

The board also approved of the Jasper County treasurer’s semiannual report.

The report totals were listed as the following: beginning fund balance (July 1), $15,844,885.29; total revenues collected $41,177,815.38; total amount to be accounted for, $57,062,700.67; ending fund balance (Dec. 31), $16,287,929.78; outstanding checks and warrants $195,022.63 and outstanding stamps warrants was listed as zero.

The board also:

• Approved a copier purchase estimated to cost about $6,500 for Communication Services/Veteran’s Affairs. The board was informed the existing copier was out-of-date, and it would be best to update.

• Set a public hearing for March 12 for its 2013-2014 budget.

Staff writer Matthew Shepard may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at mshepard@newtondailynews.com.