The Truth Is Clear: Their Claims Don't Hold Water

The Truth Is Clear: Their Claims Don’t Hold Water
Boards response to recent claims circulating the district

Claim: Why can’t we just pay City of Valparaiso for water, it’s the same water. Response: October 20, 1976, VLACD signed an agreement to buy water from the City of Valparaiso Utilities. Within the agreement VLACD is solely responsible for any costs, repairs, and maintenance of the water lines within VLACD territory.
Claim: Turn the water and sewer operations over the Valparaiso City Utilities. Response: You cannot just give Valparaiso City Utilities the water and sewer department. VLACD would have to sell it after the circuit court judge concludes that the district no longer serves the purpose for which it was formed.
Claim: Pay City of Valparaiso the outside rate and not get annexed into Valparaiso. Response: Right now, VLACD pays Valparaiso City Utilities the outside rate and VLACD is responsible for all repairs, maintenance, and operation. If sold and a customer pays Valparaiso City Utilities the outside rate, who is responsible for the repairs, maintenance, and operation? How would costs not rise for customers with the newly added responsibility on Valparaiso City Utilities for repairs, maintenance, and operation?
Claim: Savings of $250 per year if bought by Valparaiso City Utilities. Response: Purchasing VLACD’s water and sewer operations could cost in the millions of dollars. Purchase price along with the added responsibility of repairs, maintenance, and costs of operations could result in higher utility bills for customers.
Claim: VLACD has the 2nd highest water rates in the state of Indiana. Response: False. Chesterton, Gary, Hobart, Merrillville, Portage, Porter, South Haven, and Lowell to name a few all have higher water rates than VLACD. Nature Works Conservancy District and Damon Run Conservancy District, both of which were recently acquired by City of Valparaiso, have higher than VLACD sewer rates.
Claim: Save $20,000 by eliminating the board. Response: Board members are paid $100 for a regular meeting and $50 for a committee meeting. $20k is a budget (in case amount). To date we have spent $7200 this year on board member salaries. Estimated to be a total of $9650 by the end of the year (3 more meetings plus 1 committee meeting). That is about half of the budgeted amount. Next year we expect more committee meetings because of projects happening in 2026.
Claim: Cut the board from 7 to 3 improving accountability and fairness. Response: The 7 board members are voted in by their respective districts. These are individuals who represent their areas best interests. How would reducing the board from 7 to 3 better represent a district of this size?
Claim: The residents pay VLACD $300,000 annually. Response: The $300,000 goes towards you, stormwater projects and maintenance on all storm drains, flooding issues, and equipment.
Claim: Save $200,000 in “vague other contractual services”. Response: The line item in the budget is for stormwater projects approved by the board as part of a five-year plan. These stormwater project expenses were approved based upon 2023 estimates, even though pricing has increased since that time.