John Earnest, Dave Johnston and Carolyn Anderson prepare for the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District meeting Thursday, Oct. 28. InkFreeNews photo by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Preliminary discussion regarding the first election of a director for Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District was discussed at the board’s meeting Thursday, Oct. 28. This election will take place at the annual meeting of the freeholders, 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12.

David Hollenbeck, attorney, explained the District 1 directorship is the only seat up for election this year. Currently John Earnest holds that seat. Interested persons residing within that district have until Dec. 1 to file. After that date it will be known if a contested election will be needed and specific details further discussed. Hollenbeck did note the court has modified the state’s conservancy statute to allow only eligible freeholders in the district where there is a contested race to cast votes.

At this point only one individual, Todd Mikel, Syracuse, has indicated an interest. Earnest will not be seeking to retain his seat and has submitted his letter of resignation effective Dec. 31. He and his wife, Linda, will be moving out of state.

Ross Hagen, financial consultant with Baker Tilley, went over the 2022 budget, which has been approved by the county council. He noted the Department of Local Government Finance is reviewing the budget and will issue a report. Once the district receives the report, it has 10 days to respond to DLGF’s review, after which DLGF will issue a final order.

Bill Pipp, chairman, noted the 2022 budget has been proposed at the maximum levy allowed for the general and cumulative capital funds and he isn’t anticipating any changes to the budget. He also explained the budget included operating costs for the first six months of 2023 so the district did not have to borrow money for operating costs. Additionally, Pipp noted he could see the general fund levy decrease as funds are accumulated.

Hollenbeck informed the board once the majority of board members have been elected, (occurring in 2024) the budget will no longer have to go through the county council for approval. The 2025 budget will be submitted directly to the DLGF.

The general budget of $170,000 has a proposed tax rate of $.0175 per $100 assessed valuation. The net assessed value for the district is $969.6 million. The general budget includes standard operating costs including insurance and rental. The cumulative conservancy improvement fund budget of $575,100 is for work to repair the dike. The proposed rate for this fund is $.0555. The total tax rate to the district is $.0730.

During other business:

Field work has been completed on the dike and officials at Lawson-Fisher Associates, are awaiting the results. Clearing of Koko Drive will be needed before any soil borings and additional work can be done. Once these are completed applications for permits can proceed. It was noted the results of the wetland delineation report will be published on the district’s website.

The board voted to separate the secretary/treasurer position effective with the election of officers at the annual meeting Feb. 12.

Discussion was held on the district’s conversations with the town on contributing $100,000 toward the dike repair and clearing of Koko Drive.