RUSS looks for new funding and possible partnerships

By KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

The Regional Utilities System Services (RUSS) executive director, Bruce Hudson, has been busy in Des Moines, looking for additional funding sources.

Hudson said he has been in Des Moines several times over the past month speaking to and testifying in front of the Department of Natural Resource Budget Appropriations Committee, in an effort to receive appropriations back to the Utility Management Organizations (UMO).

UMOs and the DNR had previously partnered, which allowed the UMOs to help the DNR with projects and was another funding source for UMOs like RUSS. During their partnership in 2007, UMOs like RUSS received about $50,000 a year to help communities, according to Hudson.

?Yesterday I had a sit down with the head of the DNR and I let him know what our intentions are; that we?re not trying to take away from the DNR,? said Hudson.

Hudson said DNR Director Chuck Gipp acknowledged during their meeting that RUSS is a viable partner, but the DNR is restricted on their funding, as well.

?The only way we would likely get any funding back to us for the UMO is through the appropriations. We?re lobbying pretty hard to get it appropriated,? Hudson concluded.

During the executive director update, Hudson said he has been working with Rep. Curt Hanson on House bill 365. The bill pertains to certain delinquent accounts for wastewater, sewer system, storm water drainage and sewer treatment services.

?Cities are getting smaller and the habitual people don?t pay for their sewer bills and they (the city) are having to wait 18 months to recoup their money back; they?re having a hard time with cash flow,? said Hudson. ?We?re trying to get something passed where we can then hold the user accountable.?

The bill, which is a bipartisan effort, is now on the House floor.

?I encourage all of you guys to reach out to Sen. Rich Taylor, Rep. Dave Heaton and let them know this is not a RUSS issue, this is a community issue. We have to do something for these communities,? said Hudson. ?It?s the hardship on the community and relieving them so they?re able to have some cash flow.?

Hudson said cities see the same individuals every month not paying their sewer bills and the city wants to hold them accountable.

Several board members have begun working on a new 28E agreement that forms RUSS.

Major changes to the agreement include the number of counties in the organization as well as altering the language and changing the formula for if a county would choose to exit.

The new 28E agreement also explores being able to operate outside of the member counties.

?The previous 28E agreement, we were restricted to the 10 counties service area. That kind of puts restriction on what we can do,? said Jefferson County board member Lee Dimmitt.

Dimmitt said the board has been discussing with some rural water associations the possibility of assuming control of their operations.

?Under the old agreement we could not have done that,? he said.

Dimmitt said the new agreement would allow more flexibility and could help to generate more revenue.

The board is hoping to have an agreement for next month?s meeting.

In other business, the board approved sewer rate changes for fiscal year 2016. These changes will take effect July 1, 2015, and include:

Argyle, $56.23; Harper, $42.46, this was no change from FY15; Keswick, $43.69, a decrease from FY15; Kinross, $49.84; Martinsburg, $45.47; Mt. Sterling, $48.52; Mt. Union, $75.85; Pleasant Plain, $54.77; Webster, $44.27; Linby, $62.32.

The next RUSS meeting will be Wednesday, April 8, at 1 p.m. in the Henry County Emergency Management Building.